Deconstructed Italian Eggplant Lasagna
Craving the comforting layers of traditional lasagna without the carbs? Look no further! This Deconstructed Italian Eggplant Lasagna is a delightful twist on the classic dish, using tender eggplant slices in place of pasta. With a rich, hearty meat sauce brimming with aromatic veggies, and creamy ricotta layered with melted mozzarella and Parmesan, this dish delivers all the satisfying flavors of Italy while keeping it low-carb and South Beach-approved. It's perfect for family dinners or meal prep, and you won't even miss the noodles!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggplants
2 large (Peeled and sliced lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick strips.)
Cooking spray
as needed (Olive oil spray is recommended.)
Salt and pepper
to taste (For seasoning.)
Turkey breast or Italian sausage
1.5 lbs (Ground (if using turkey breast, consider adding seasonings for flavor).)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (For sautéing.)
Onions
2 (Chopped.)
Garlic
3 cloves (Minced.)
Red pepper
1 (Chopped.)
Sliced mushrooms
1 (16 ounce) package (Fresh or canned.)
Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons (Or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme.)
Fennel seed
1 teaspoon (Optional.)
Red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon (Optional; adjust to taste.)
Frozen chopped spinach
1 (10 ounce) package (Thawed and drained.)
Red wine or vodka
1 cup (Optional, for added flavor.)
Tomato sauce
1 (28 ounce) can (Or a large jar of sugar-free sauce.)
Diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can (Or 3 chopped roma tomatoes for lower sugar content.)
Low-fat ricotta cheese
2 cups (For layering.)
Eggs
2 (Lightly beaten.)
Green onions
3 (Chopped.)
Shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
3 cups (For topping.)
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (Grated for topping.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
Prepare a large cookie sheet by spraying it with cooking spray. Arrange eggplant slices on the sheet in a single layer and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
3
Roast the eggplant in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes on each side until slightly softened but still holding their shape.
4
Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
5
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the ground turkey or Italian sausage until browned, about 5 minutes.
6
Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until translucent.
7
Stir in the red pepper and sliced mushrooms; cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften.
8
Add the frozen spinach, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, red pepper flakes (if desired), and a splash of red wine or vodka. Simmer the mixture for 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.
9
In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, and chopped green onions. Mix well.
10
In another bowl, blend together the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
11
Spread 1/3 of the meat sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch by 13-inch glass baking dish.
12
Layer half of the roasted eggplant slices over the meat sauce, followed by dolloping and spreading half of the ricotta mixture over the eggplant.
13
Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella and Parmesan mixture on top.
14
Repeat the layering process: another third of the meat sauce, the remaining eggplant slices, the remaining ricotta mixture, and another 1/3 of the cheese mix.
15
Finish with the last layer of the meat sauce and top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese mix.
16
Cover the baking dish with foil, and bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 1 hour.
17
After an hour, remove the foil and bake or broil for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese is beautifully browned and bubbly.
18
Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Patience will reward you with cleaner slices!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deconstructed Italian Eggplant Lasagna?
It is a low-carb alternative to traditional lasagna that uses roasted eggplant slices instead of pasta noodles, layered with meat sauce and cheese.
How should the eggplant be prepared for this recipe?
The eggplants should be peeled and sliced lengthwise into strips that are approximately 1/4 inch thick.
What oven temperature is used to roast the eggplant?
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) for the initial roasting of the eggplant slices.
How long do the eggplant slices need to roast?
Roast the eggplant for about 5 minutes on each side until they are slightly softened but still holding their shape.
What type of meat is recommended for the sauce?
You can use 1.5 lbs of ground turkey breast or ground Italian sausage.
Is this lasagna recipe low-carb?
Yes, by replacing pasta with eggplant and using low-sugar ingredients, this dish is designed to be low-carb and South Beach-approved.
How do I prepare the frozen spinach?
Use one 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach that has been completely thawed and drained of excess liquid.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9-inch by 13-inch glass baking dish is the recommended size for layering this lasagna.
How do I make the ricotta cheese mixture?
In a bowl, combine 2 cups of low-fat ricotta cheese with 2 lightly beaten eggs and 3 chopped green onions.
What is the baking temperature for the assembled lasagna?
Reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for the main baking process.
Should the lasagna be covered while baking?
Yes, cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for one hour.
How do I achieve a bubbly and browned cheese top?
After baking covered for an hour, remove the foil and bake or broil for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Can I add alcohol to the tomato sauce?
Yes, adding a splash (about 1 cup) of red wine or vodka is optional but can help meld and enhance the flavors.
Why is it important to let the lasagna rest after cooking?
Allowing it to rest for 10 minutes helps the layers set, which results in cleaner, more stable slices.
What cheeses are used for the topping?
A blend of 3 cups shredded low-fat mozzarella and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese is used for the layers and topping.
What is included in the Italian seasoning?
You can use a standard Italian seasoning blend or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
Is fennel seed necessary for the recipe?
Fennel seed is optional, but it is recommended for adding a traditional Italian sausage-like flavor to the meat sauce.
Can I use fresh mushrooms?
Yes, the recipe calls for one 16-ounce package of fresh sliced mushrooms.
How can I lower the sugar content of the tomatoes?
Instead of canned diced tomatoes, you can use 3 chopped fresh Roma tomatoes to reduce the sugar content.
What is the first step in layering the lasagna?
Start by spreading 1/3 of the prepared meat sauce mixture into the bottom of the baking dish.
How many layers of eggplant are in the dish?
The recipe involves two layers of roasted eggplant slices placed between layers of sauce and cheese.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the meat and increase the amount of mushrooms or add other vegetables like zucchini to make it vegetarian.
Are red pepper flakes required?
Red pepper flakes are optional; you can adjust the amount to your spice preference or omit them entirely.
What type of cooking spray is best for the eggplant?
Olive oil spray is recommended for seasoning and roasting the eggplant slices.
What is the purpose of adding eggs to the ricotta?
The eggs act as a binder, helping the ricotta layer firm up and hold its shape during and after baking.
What type of tomato sauce should I use?
A 28-ounce can of standard tomato sauce or a large jar of sugar-free pasta sauce works well.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 5-10 minutes to allow the vegetables to soften and the flavors to combine.
How long should I sauté the aromatics?
Sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until the onions become translucent.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 1 hour and 5 to 10 minutes.
Do the eggplants need to be peeled?
Yes, the recipe specifies peeling the eggplants before slicing them into strips.