Assembling a lasagna may take a lot of steps, but the journey is worth it when you reach that final destination! A single steaming slice is layered with everything you want in a homemade meal: fresh vegetables, protein-packed beef and cheese and flavor you just can’t get from noodle creations that come in microwave-safe cardboard trays. Use whole-wheat noodles and low-fat cheeses for a healthier (yet still hearty!) version of this classic Italian favorite.
Hearty & Healthy Vegetable Lasagna
Makes 12 servings
Macros per serving: 390 calories | 31g net carbs | 32g protein
Ingredients
9 oz. whole wheat lasagna noodles
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3.5 oz kale leaves, torn
2 cups baby spinach leaves
4 oz. shredded carrots
½ cup diced celery
¾ cup yellow onion, diced
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh or jarred garlic
Dash of cayenne
1 Tbsp. Italian seasonings
1 Tbsp. salt
2 pounds 96% lean ground beef
2-28 oz. cans crushed tomatoes
6 oz. can tomato paste
15 oz. low-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups part skim shredded mozzarella cheese
1 jumbo egg
Directions
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions and set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil, then add garlic, cayenne pepper and onion and saute until lightly browned. Stir in celery and carrots and cook until tender-crisp.
- Add Italian seasonings, beef and salt and cook until beef is beef is thoroughly done; drain any excess liquid.
- Stir in kale and spinach and cook until softened.
- In another large pot, combine basil, tomato paste and tomatoes and stir well. Add vegetable/beef mixture, stir well and let simmer 20 minutes. (Note: Add additional salt if desired.)
- While sauce simmering, mix together cottage, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, egg and parsley; set aside.
- To assemble lasagna, spray 9×13 baking dish with non-stick spray. Layer as follows: 2 cups sauce, 1/4 noodles, 2 cups sauce, 1/4 noodles, 1/2 cottage cheese mixture, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 3 cups sauce, 1/4 noodles, 1/2 cottage cheese mixture, remaining noodles, remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella. Garnish with parsley.
- Cover lasagna with foil and bake for 1 hour. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.