Recipe of the Week

Biggest Loser Simple Swaps: Veggie Lasagna

Swap out pasta and add more veggies in this new twist on an Italian favorite from The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps.You'll never miss the pasta in this scrumptious, cheesy Italian favorite. Wrap and freeze any extra servings individually to thaw and warm for lunch in a hurry. Eggplant can be substituted for the zucchini.

Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

• 2 large zucchini (about 1 pound), ends trimmed, thinly sliced lengthwise
• 3 links (about 4 ounces each) lean turkey Italian sausage
• 1 red bell pepper or roasted red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup low-fat marinara sauce
• 2 egg whites
• 1 (15-ounce) container fat free ricotta cheese
• 2 teaspoons Italian herb seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2/3 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat an 8" x 8" baking pan with olive oil cooking spray. Set aside.
• Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Spray them lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Broil (or grill) the zucchini for about 8 minutes, or until tender and very lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
• To prepare the meat sauce, cook the sausage in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to break up any clumps. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic, and cook for about 4 minutes longer, until the meat is no longer pink. The juices should be cooked dry. Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. The sauce will be very thick.
• Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and black pepper until well combined.
• To assemble the lasagna, spread half of the meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Layer on half of the zucchini slices, followed by half of the ricotta mixture and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with the remaining meat sauce, zucchini slices, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Per serving: 210 calories, 18 g protein, 17 g carbohydrates, 7 g fat
(2 g saturated), 45 mg cholesterol, 3 g fiber, 340 mg sodium

xo,


"I've been trying to find the word that says what I need to be in life. 'Brave' is the only word. It's the only thing that I ask myself to be." Sandra Bullock