Nourishing Turkey & Vegetable Lasagna
This delicious and wholesome Nourishing Turkey & Vegetable Lasagna is perfect for those looking to enjoy a healthier take on a classic comfort dish. Packed with lean ground turkey, rich part-skim ricotta, and plenty of flavorful spices, this lasagna promises to satisfy your cravings without the guilt. It's layered with nutritious veggies and topped with gooey fat-free mozzarella, making it an ideal choice for families or anyone on the health-conscious journey. Plus, it makes excellent leftovers that you can easily freeze and reheat for a quick dinner option. Give it a try and see why my boyfriend, who typically isn't a health nut, fell in love with each hearty, flavorful bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped onion
3/4 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
Ragu tomato sauce
46 ounces (or other pasta sauce)
lean ground turkey
1 lb (browned)
part-skim ricotta cheese
16 ounces (for layering)
fat-free mozzarella cheese
12 ounces (shredded)
grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (for layering and topping)
Egg Beaters egg substitute
2 (for mixing)
lasagna noodles
1 lb (cooked and drained)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large saucepan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
3
Add the lean ground turkey to the pan, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked, around 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
4
Pour in the Ragu tomato sauce (or your preferred pasta sauce) and let it simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the part-skim ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded fat-free mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 Egg Beaters. Mix well until fully incorporated.
6
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, start layering: spread 2 cups of the sauce mixture on the bottom, lay half of the cooked lasagna noodles, then half of the remaining sauce over the noodles.
7
Spoon the ricotta mixture over the sauce, spreading evenly. Next, sprinkle half of the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
8
Add the other half of the lasagna noodles, followed by the rest of the sauce mixture, and finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
9
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil that has been sprayed with a nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until hot and bubbling. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the cheese to golden.
11
Sprinkle some extra Parmesan on top, let the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes before serving, and enjoy this wholesome, satisfying meal, complete with plenty of leftovers!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nourishing Turkey & Vegetable Lasagna?
It is a healthier version of the classic comfort dish, featuring lean ground turkey, part-skim ricotta, fat-free mozzarella, and nutritious vegetables.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1 lb of lean ground turkey.
What temperature should I preheat the oven to?
You should preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long does the lasagna need to bake in total?
The lasagna bakes for a total of 60 minutes: 45 minutes covered with foil and an additional 15 minutes uncovered.
Why should I let the lasagna rest after baking?
Letting the lasagna rest for about 15 minutes allows it to set, making it easier to slice and serve.
Is this lasagna freezer-friendly?
Yes, it makes excellent leftovers that you can easily freeze and reheat for a quick dinner option.
What kind of cheese is used to keep it healthy?
The recipe calls for part-skim ricotta cheese and fat-free mozzarella cheese to reduce the fat content.
What size baking dish is required?
You will need a 9x13 inch baking dish for this recipe.
How do I prevent the foil from sticking to the cheese?
Spray the foil tightly with nonstick cooking spray before covering the baking dish.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
You will need 46 ounces of Ragu tomato sauce or your preferred pasta sauce.
How long should I simmer the sauce with the turkey?
Allow the sauce and turkey to simmer for about 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
What ingredients are mixed with the ricotta cheese?
The ricotta is mixed with 1 cup of fat-free mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 Egg Beaters.
Do the lasagna noodles need to be cooked beforehand?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 lb of lasagna noodles that have been cooked and drained.
What are the primary seasonings and aromatics used?
The recipe uses chopped onion, minced garlic, and the spices found in the pasta sauce.
Can I use regular eggs instead of Egg Beaters?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 Egg Beaters as a healthier egg substitute, but regular eggs are typically a standard alternative in lasagna.
How much onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of chopped onion.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 2 garlic cloves, minced.
How do I layer the lasagna?
Layer sauce, then noodles, more sauce, the ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and repeat, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to sauté the onion and garlic.
How long does it take to cook the ground turkey?
The turkey should be browned and cooked through in approximately 6-8 minutes.
How much ricotta cheese is used?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of part-skim ricotta cheese.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
The recipe requires 12 ounces of shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese.
What is the first step in the layering process?
The first step is to spread 2 cups of the sauce mixture on the bottom of the baking dish.
Is this recipe suitable for people on a low-fat diet?
Yes, it is tagged as low fat and uses lean turkey and fat-free/part-skim dairy products.
What is the final topping before serving?
The lasagna is topped with a sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese after baking.
Is this lasagna considered a family meal?
Yes, it is described as an ideal choice for families and produces plenty of leftovers.
Should I drain the turkey after cooking?
Yes, you should drain any excess fat from the turkey after browning it.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include healthy, low fat, turkey, pasta, one dish meal, comfort food, and freezer friendly.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for layering and topping.
Can I add extra vegetables to this recipe?
While the recipe specifies onion and garlic, its nature as a vegetable lasagna makes it easy to incorporate other veggies as desired.