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I like that there is a way to make a Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna.
This is because having a low fat option for a favorite pasta dinner is almost always a good thing in my book!
Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna
This recipe is a perfect way to eat great tasting Italian meals without all of the fat.
I especially like that this lasagna is made lower in fat.
This recipe reminds me of my Easy Meatless Lasagna recipe.
That recipe was for lasagna that is more of a true lasagna with the pasta sauce and cheese but, without the meat.
This recipe however, is more about being lower in fat and does not have the traditional pasta sauce.
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
You may be wondering what can I use instead of white sauce in Lasagna?
Most lasagna has a red sauce that may or may not have meat in it as well.
However, this recipe for lasagna does not have a red sauce.
This lasagna uses ricotta cheese instead of a white or red sauce.
Feel free to use a lower fat ricotta if desired.
Alternatively, a small curd cottage cheese can be used with or instead of the ricotta cheese too.
I was wondering if no boil lasagna noodles are any good.
No boil lasagna noodles are the perfect cheat for a lasagna recipe such as this one.
Personally, I was sold on taking out the entire boiling the noodles step of this recipe when I first found out about the no-boil noodles.
No-boil lasagna noodles work great in this recipe not just because they take out the ‘boiling the noodles’ task.
These noodles are thinner than the regular noodles which can help in a recipe such as this one.
Also, avoiding the extra water that can cling to a boiled noodle can help keep your lasagna from getting runny.
Tips for making lasagna.
I just mentioned that using no boil lasagna noodles is the perfect hack for this lasagna recipe. Also, I mentioned that a small curd cottage cheese can be used with or instead of the ricotta cheese in this recipe.
Here are some more great tips for you.
- As you probably already know, normal lasagna is usually made with ricotta cheese. Vegans can sub in a vegan ricotta cheese or tofu.
- While we are not going to use a lot of ricotta cheese, you may be concerned about the cheese ‘oozing’ through the noodles. However, mixing in an egg with the cheese is one way to help contain that ‘oozing’.
- This tip is for folks not using the no boil lasagna. Draining your noodles is essential to this recipe to keep the lasagna from getting too soupy. You can even allow the noodles to sit for a bit after cooking to allow for them to dry out.
Some people wonder if they should cover the lasagna with foil while baking.
The answer to that is both yes and no. Lasagna that is baked uncovered tends to dry out while lasagna that is covered can have issues with the cheese not fully melting in a ‘lasagna way’.
So we will do both cover and not cover.
You should cover the lasagna with foil long enough to cook through, about halfway through baking. Then, remove the foil and allow the lasagna to bake through.
There are some questions to how many layers to have and how to layer your lasagna.
Layers are indeed important to the structure and taste of lasagna. Since this recipe does not have a sauce, the layers will be thin.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- The best easy Italian Bruschetta.
- Easiest Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing.
- Avocado and Chocolate Fudge recipe.
- Mediterranean Diet Style Chicken Piccata.
- Homemade Wine Gummie Candy.
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna
Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna
Earlier I mentioned that using no boil lasagna noodles is the perfect hack for this lasagna recipe. Also, I mentioned that a small curd cottage cheese can be used with or instead of the ricotta cheese in this recipe.
This recipe also calls for spinach.
If you choose to use fresh spinach you will need to boil it first.
I suggest doing so ahead of time in order to give the spinach enough time to drain properly.
Ingredients needed to make this Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna.
- Lasagna– 1 box (8 to 10 ounce). If you are not using the no boil noodles, have your noodles precooked and well drained for this recipe.
- Spinach- 2 cups. If you are using frozen spinach, please make sure that the spinach is thawed and well drained. FResh spinach should be cooked for about five minutes and well drained.
- Olive Oil– 1 tablespoon.
- Onion- 1/2 cup chopped.
- Garlic- 2 cloves minced (about 2 teaspoons).
- Ricotta Cheese- 2 cups. I mentioned above that you can try using a lower fat ricotta if desired.
Alternatively, a small curd cottage cheese can be used with or instead of the ricotta cheese too. - Egg-1 beaten. This is to help hold the cheese together and can be omitted if you choose to make this vegan (or you can use a vegan alternative for binding).
- Parmesan Cheese- 1/2 to 3/4 cup divided with additional as desired for topping.
- Seasonings as desired.
This can include Italian Seasonings,
Salt, and/or Pepper. Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend
How to make Mediterranean Diet friendly Lasagna.
- Prepare your lasagna noodles as indicated on the package. Also, prepare your spinach as mentioned above. Make sure that both are drained well.
- Preheat your oven to 350. Prep a baking dish well for nonstick to make for an easier clean up.
- In a skillet over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender (about three minutes). Allow this to cool when done.
- Next, in a mixing bowl, blend together the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and any desired seasonings.
- Stir in the cooled garlic and onion and then the spinach.
- To assemble the lasagna, start with a layer of noodles and alternative the layers between the noodles and the cheese and spinach mixture.Once you get the top layer of noodles, you can top that with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Loosely cover your lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and allow the lasagna to cook for another 20-25 minutes or until the cheese on top begins to brown. Allow the lasagna to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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Happy baking, eating, and enjoying life!
Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna, low fat and healthier recipe for a favorite Italian pasta meal for dinner!
Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna
Mediterranean Diet Spinach Lasagna, low fat and healthier recipe for a favorite Italian pasta meal for dinner!
Ingredients
- Lasagna– 1 box (8 to 10 ounce).
- Spinach- 2 cups.
- Olive Oil– 1 tablespoon.
- Onion- 1/2 cup chopped.
- Garlic- 2 cloves minced (about 2 teaspoons).
- Ricotta Cheese- 2 cups.
- Parmesan Cheese- 1/2 cup divided with additional as desired for topping. Seasonings as desired. This can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper. Mediterranean Diet Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Prepare your lasagna noodles as indicated on the package. Also, prepare your spinach as mentioned above. Make sure that both are drained well.
- Preheat your oven to 350. Prep a baking dish well for nonstick to make for an easier clean up.
- In a skillet over medium heat, saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender (about three minutes). Allow this to cool when done.
- Next, in a mixing bowl, blend together the ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and any desired seasonings.
- Stir in the cooled garlic and onion and then the spinach.
- To assemble the lasagna, start with a layer of noodles and alternative the layers between the noodles and the cheese and spinach mixture.Once you get the top layer of noodles, you can top that with the remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Loosely cover your lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and allow the lasagna to cook for another 20-25 minutes or until the cheese on top begins to brown. Allow the lasagna to set for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
I mentioned that using no boil lasagna noodles is the perfect hack for this lasagna recipe. Also, I mentioned that a small curd cottage cheese can be used with or instead of the ricotta cheese in this recipe.
This recipe also calls for spinach.
If you choose to use fresh spinach you will need to boil it first.
I suggest doing so ahead of time in order to give the spinach enough time to drain properly.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 40mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 15g
*Please check the nutritional labels to assure that you are sticking to your diet restrictions for any substitutions used. - see post for alternatives Please see recipe post for further details on this recipe. Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
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