Healthier version of traditional lasagna- with Turkey Meat and Spinach.

I was craving lasagna but really am trying to eat healthier. I googled a bunch of recipes trying to find one that sounded good, but none looked good. So i took a few recipes that looked decent and took away what I liked from them and made up my own recipe. We really, really like it! And I felt good knowing it was made with lean ground turkey, organic tomatoes, fat free cottage cheese and low fat ricotta. The only think I didn't go lean on this time was the shredded cheese- which you can. But I love real cheese. I may just do less next time I make this. Also, if I can find whole grain, no bake noodles I may try those next time as well.

INGREDIENTS

*1 T extra virgin olive oil
*2 garlic cloves- minced
*1 tsp sea salt
*Italian seasonings (to taste)
*1.25 lbs Lean Ground Turkey
*Can Diced Tomatoes with oregano and basil
*1 jar spaghetti sauce (I like Prego traditional)
*8 oz fat free cottage cheese
*8 oz low fat ricotta
*1 egg
*1 box- no bake noodles (I used 9 noodles in my pan)
*1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
*1/2 cup fresh shredded parmesan cheese
*5-10 oz chopped spinach (I used frozen and chopped it. I also only used 5 oz since my husband isn't a big    spinach fan)


1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. In a skillet, heat up the olive oil and garlic. Add turkey and cook till done. Add sea salt, italian seasoning (1-2 tsp?), can of tomatoes and chopped spinach. Stir well. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for 10 mins. Drain any excess liquid.
3. In medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, 1 egg and about 1 tsp of italian seasoning. Mix well.
 4. Pour a little spaghetti sauce to coat bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan. Add 3 noodles. Spoon a little sauce on top of each noodle. Add half of meat mixture evenly. Then layer by adding 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. spoon some sauce over. Add 3 more noodles and repeat layers adding the rest of the meat, cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Add final 3 noodles. Pour the rest of the spaghetti sauce over the top and sprinkle the parmesan cheese over top. Cover with foil and bake for 40 mins. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.

I serve with fresh, warm bread and vino! :)

Simmered Turkey, tomato and chopped spinach with seasonings

Mixture of Cottage Cheese, Ricotta, Egg and Italian Seasonings

Start by coating bottom of pan with sauce and start with your first 3 noodles

Ready to bake...

Done and ready to enjoy!!

This pan is on my wishlist... I hate soaking and scrubbing a pan... especially after lasagna... baked on cheese is the worst. This line is amazingly easy to clean! I love Mario Batali's Dutch oven as well!