Certainly! Here’s the recipe for Lasagna Toss – Reduced Calorie, a delightful dish that combines the flavors of traditional lasagna with a healthier twist, featuring lean ground turkey and reduced-fat cheeses. This recipe is perfect for those looking to enjoy a comforting meal without compromising on taste or nutrition.
Lasagna Toss – Reduced Calorie
Ingredients:
- 1 pound pasta shells
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 1/2 cups fat-free ricotta cheese
- 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups fat-free mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan cheese, for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta shells according to the package directions until they are al dente. Once cooked, drain them and set aside.
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Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey with the chopped onions and minced garlic over medium heat. Ensure the turkey is thoroughly cooked. Once browned, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
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Add the Sauce: Stir in your favorite pasta sauce into the skillet with the cooked turkey mixture. Allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
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Set Aside Some Sauce: Remove 1 cup of the meat sauce from the skillet and set it aside for later use.
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Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir the cooked pasta shells into the remaining sauce in the skillet, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
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Layer the Casserole: Place half of the pasta mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish.
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Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the fat-free ricotta cheese with the chopped parsley. Spread this mixture evenly over the layer of pasta in the casserole dish.
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Add Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkle 1 cup of fat-free shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese layer.
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Add Remaining Pasta Mixture: Place the remaining half of the pasta mixture on top of the mozzarella cheese layer in the casserole dish.
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Top with Reserved Sauce: Pour the reserved 1 cup of meat sauce evenly over the top layer of pasta in the casserole dish.
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Add More Mozzarella: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce layer.
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Optional Parmesan Topping: If desired, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole for extra flavor.
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Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dish is hot and bubbly throughout.
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Let it Rest: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
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Serve: Cut into portions and serve your delicious Lasagna Toss – Reduced Calorie with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables on the side.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 433
- Fat: 8.6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1g
- Cholesterol: 66.6mg
- Sodium: 655.1mg
- Carbohydrates: 52.5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 7.7g
- Protein: 34g
Recipe Notes:
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables, such as spinach or mushrooms, to the meat sauce for added flavor and nutrition.
- You can also swap out the ground turkey for lean ground chicken or beef if preferred, keeping in mind any adjustments to the nutritional information.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage. Simply reheat in the microwave or oven before serving.
Enjoy this hearty and satisfying Lasagna Toss – Reduced Calorie recipe, perfect for a cozy family dinner or meal prep for the week ahead! 🍝🥗
