Healthy Ground Turkey & Spinach Lasagna
Indulge in this hearty yet healthy Ground Turkey & Spinach Lasagna, a delightful twist on a classic favorite! Utilizing fresh, no-boil lasagna noodles from Trader Joe's, this recipe is designed to be both nutritious and delicious. Packed with lean ground turkey and layers of creamy ricotta, it's enriched with spinach for an extra boost of vitamins. We've cut down on the fat by using low-fat milk, part-skim mozzarella, and leaving out the egg from the ricotta mixture, resulting in a comforting dish that doesn't skimp on flavor. Perfect for family gatherings or meal prep, this lasagna is sure to impress while keeping your health goals in check. Enjoy each bite of tender meat, fresh herbs, and bubbling cheese!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive Oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
Yellow Onion
1 cup (diced)
Garlic Cloves
6 (minced)
Low-Fat Milk
1/2 cup (none)
Lean Ground Turkey
1 (22-ounce) package (none)
Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
1 2/3 cups (none)
Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese
10 ounces (shredded)
Fresh Ricotta
1 (15-ounce) package (none)
Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon (none)
Dried Parsley
1 teaspoon (none)
Fresh Rosemary
1 teaspoon (minced)
Onion Powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Ground Black Pepper
1 tablespoon (none)
Marinara Sauce
3 1/2 cups (bottled)
Lasagna Noodles
1 (13-ounce) package (fresh no-boil or boiled regular)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
If you're using Trader Joe's fresh no-boil lasagna noodles, no preparation is needed. For standard dry lasagna noodles, boil in salted water, drain, and rinse with cold water.
3
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4
Add the diced onions to the skillet and sauté until they become translucent and start to brown, about 5 minutes.
5
Stir in the minced garlic and 1 tsp of fresh rosemary, along with half of the oregano, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Sauté for an additional 2 minutes.
6
Add the ground turkey to the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until it begins to brown.
7
Pour in the low-fat milk and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked.
8
Stir in 2.5 cups of marinara sauce, reserving 1 cup for the top. Mix well and turn off the heat.
9
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with 1 cup of shredded parmesan and the remaining herbs and spices. Mix until well combined.
10
Spread the reserved marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a standard lasagna pan.
11
Layer the lasagna noodles lengthwise on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
12
Spread half of the ricotta mixture across the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce. Repeat with another layer of noodles, remaining ricotta, and meat sauce.
13
Finish with a final layer of noodles, spreading the remaining marinara sauce on top.
14
In a separate bowl, mix the remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the lasagna, covering it completely.
15
Cover the lasagna with tin foil, ensuring it's not in contact with the cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
16
After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown around the edges.
17
Allow the lasagna to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein used in this healthy lasagna recipe?
The main protein used in this recipe is lean ground turkey.
How many servings does this Ground Turkey & Spinach Lasagna provide?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Do I need to boil Trader Joe's fresh lasagna noodles?
No, if you use Trader Joe's fresh no-boil lasagna noodles, no preparation is needed.
How should I prepare standard dry lasagna noodles if I don't have no-boil ones?
Standard dry lasagna noodles should be boiled in salted water, drained, and rinsed with cold water before use.
How long should I sauté the diced onions?
Sauté the diced onions for about 5 minutes until they are translucent and begin to brown.
How much garlic is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of milk is recommended for the meat sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of low-fat milk.
Why is milk added to the ground turkey?
Milk is simmered with the ground turkey for 5 minutes to help cook the meat and add a creamy texture while keeping it lean.
How much marinara sauce is needed in total?
A total of 3.5 cups of bottled marinara sauce is required.
How is the marinara sauce divided during the cooking process?
2.5 cups are mixed into the meat sauce, and 1 cup is reserved for the bottom and top layers.
What ingredients are in the ricotta cheese mixture?
The mixture includes 15 ounces of fresh ricotta, 1 cup of shredded parmesan, and various herbs and spices.
Is there egg in the ricotta mixture?
No, this recipe omits the egg from the ricotta mixture to reduce the fat content.
What types of cheese are used for the topping?
The topping is a mixture of part-skim mozzarella cheese and the remaining shredded parmesan.
How much lean ground turkey should I buy?
You will need one 22-ounce package of lean ground turkey.
What fresh herbs are included in this lasagna?
The recipe includes fresh minced rosemary and suggests fresh no-boil noodles.
What dried herbs and spices provide flavor to the sauce?
The dish uses dried oregano, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
What is the first step in assembling the lasagna layers?
Spread the reserved marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a standard lasagna pan.
How many layers of meat sauce and ricotta are there?
The recipe uses two layers of the ricotta and meat sauce mixture between noodle layers.
How long does the lasagna bake while covered with foil?
It should bake covered with tin foil for 20 minutes.
How long should I bake the lasagna after removing the foil?
Bake it for an additional 20 minutes uncovered until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
What is the total baking time for this recipe?
The total baking time is 40 minutes.
How long should the lasagna cool before slicing?
Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is specifically noted as being perfect for meal prep or family gatherings.
What makes this lasagna a 'healthy' version?
It uses lean turkey, low-fat milk, part-skim mozzarella, and omits eggs to reduce fat while adding spinach and fresh herbs for nutrients.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 10 ounces of shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese.
What size package of lasagna noodles is required?
A 13-ounce package of lasagna noodles is used.
How much olive oil is used to sauté the vegetables?
The recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much black pepper is included?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper.
Into how many pieces should the final lasagna be sliced?
It is intended to be sliced into 8 pieces.