You don’t precook the noodles in this recipe, so it is really fast to assemble. This can be put together the night before and refrigerated without baking. Plan to serve leftovers in a couple of days or freeze for later use.

Quick Lasagna

By Brenda J. Ponichtera

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups low-fat cottage cheese or low-fat Ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
4 cups spaghetti sauce (less than 4 grams fat per
4 ounces)*
3/4 pound uncooked lasagna noodles (12 noodles)
1 cup (4 ounces) grated, reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Mix cottage cheese, parsley, and garlic.

Pour 1 cup of sauce in bottom of pan. Layer in this order:
4 noodles, 1/2 cheese mixture, 1/2 mozzarella, 1 cup sauce, 4 noodles, 1/2 cheese mixture, 1/2 mozzarella, 1 cup sauce, 4 noodles, and the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Covered tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Increase baking time by 15 minutes if it has been refrigerated.

*Or one jar (1 pound, 10 ounces) and water to equal 4 cups.

Makes 12 servings
Each Serving
Carb Servings
2
Exchanges
1 1/2 starch
1 vegetable
1 lean meat
Nutrient Analysis
calories 218
total fat 5g
saturated fat 2g
cholesterol 9mg
sodium 596mg
total carbohydrate 28g
dietary fiber 2g
sugars 6g
protein 15g

Source: Quick & Healthy Recipes and Ideas, 3rd Edition, © 2008 Brenda J. Ponichtera, R.D. (www.QuickandHealthy.net), Published by Small Steps Press, publishing health conscious books for the general public, an imprint of the American Diabetes Association.

Brenda J. Ponichtera is a registered dietitian and award-winning author with extensive experience in nutrition and diabetes counseling. An editorial advisor for Today’s Diet and Nutrition, she is also active member of the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association. Her cookbooks (Quick & Healthy Recipes and Ideas AND Quick & Healthy Volume II (www.QuickandHealthy.net) — both Benjamin Franklin Award winners — are designed to prove that healthful eating doesn’t have to take a lot of time in the kitchen. Her books have been recommended in publications such as  ”O” The Oprah Magazine, Cooking Light, Miami Herald, Shape magazine, and USA Today, as well as by health care professionals, and busy cooks across the country. Ponichtera has sold over 700,000 copies of her Quick & Healthy cookbooks.

Tags: Brenda J. Ponichtera, diet, eating, food, health, healthy, healthy eating, lasagna