What's for Dinner?

Psst. Hey. It's okay to indulge.

...every once in awhile.

One of my favorite guilty pleasures--Turkey, Zucchini, and Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna. Fab.

It's great to keep yourself accountable for the food you consume. Ultimately what you put in your body reflects how you look and feel. But eating delicious food satisfies the soul--so why not do both? I pride myself on cooking healthier versions of comfort food that doesn't compromise taste. When you savor the first bite of this cheesy, meaty, flavorful creation you will think you committed a sin. Don't pray to the health Gods for forgiveness quite yet--there's only 267 calories per slice!

...Okay let's be realistic here, you're not going to eat just one slice, so more like 534 calories. Fatty.

This monster of a lasagna has 16 servings (or 8 depending on how hungry you are). So invite over your favorite people or save it for leftovers--in my experience it's better the second day.

Here's how to make it...

Ingredients:


-1 1/4lb 99% fat-free ground turkey
-2c zucchini, chopped
-1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
-3 garlic cloves, minced
-1/2c roasted red peppers, drained.
-16 pieces dry lasagna noodles
-2c low-fat ricotta cheese
-1/4c shredded parmesan cheese
-1c arrabiata pasta sauce
-3c three cheese pasta sauce (I use the whole jar, I don't know if it's exactly 3 cups)
-2c shredded mozzarella cheese
-2tbsp extra virgin olive oil
-garlic powder, fresh ground pepper, and salt

Directions:

Bring water to a boil and add oil and salt (does not include the olive oil used in the recipe). Add lasagna noodles. Cook time approx 10min. Strain.

Heat a skillet on medium

Finely chop zucchini, onion, and roasted red peppers. Mince the garlic.

Add a tbsp of olive oil to your skillet and sautee the zucchini and onion for about 5 minutes until it starts to soften (season with salt and pepper). Add the garlic and sautee for an additional 5 minutes. In the mean time, bring another large, deep skillet to temperature on medium heat.

Add a tbsp of olive oil to the larger skillet and add 1 package of 99% fat-free ground turkey. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until browned. Add the mixture of zucchini, onion, and garlic to the turkey.

Add half a jar of the arrabiata sauce, a full jar of the three cheese sauce, and the roasted red peppers. Lower heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.

Mix the container of ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of parmesan, and a little garlic powder in a bowl.

Now it's time to layer!

Take a big lasagna pan and coat the bottom with olive oil. Layer 4 sheets of pasta vertically, and split one sheet in half to put on the ends horizontally. Add a layer of ricotta mixture, then sauce. Repeat. Put a final layer of pasta on top (about 7 pieces) and cover with tin foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 for 30 minutes. Uncover the tin foil and add the mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is golden brown. 

ENJOY!! 


...now get your ass to the gym! ;)