Missing lasagne on your low carb diet? Give this pasta-less veggie laden version a try! If you grow zucchini in your garden you're probably looking for new ways to fix your prolific summer bounty.
Zucchini are "courgettes" to our UK friends! Save time by making several casseroles and freeze to enjoy later.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 small zucchini
- 1 cup cooked turkey sausage*
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 1 Roma tomato chopped
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp tomato sauce
- 2 Tbsp beef broth or water
- 1 cup 2% cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup skim mozzarella shredded
- 2 Tbsp low fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 egg white, beaten
- 1 Tbsp chives, minced (optional)
- 1 tsp each Italian seasoning & fennel seed
- 1/2 tsp onion powder, garlic powder, ground sage, pepper & salt
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 6 cup gratin or baking dish with nonstick spray.
Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, slice zucchini lengthwise into 1/8" strips. Grind the fennel seeds in a spice mill or mortar & pestle.
Lay zucchini strips in a single layer and sprinkle evenly with freshly ground pepper. Add turkey sausage to mini food processor with the tomato, beef broth, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, fennel seed, onion powder and ground sage. Process until fairly smooth (there's a reason to not leave it chunky!) Set aside.
In a medium bowl mix cottage cheese with egg white, parmesan cheese, cream cheese, chives and garlic powder, blend well. Set aside.
To assemble: Layer 3 zucchini strips to cover the bottom of the gratin dish. Layer evenly with 1/2 of the meat mix, 1/2 of the spinach, 1/2 of the mushrooms and top with 1/2 of the ricotta mix. Add the next layer of 3 zucchini strips and repeat meat, spinach, mushroom and cheese mixes. Finish the last layer with zucchini strips to cover and sprinkle evenly with mozzarella.
Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes. Remove foil the last 10 minutes to slightly brown cheese if desired. Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutritional Info (per serving)
Calories: 379
Protein: 48 gm
Carbs: 12 gm
Fat: 15 gm
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