Eggplant Lasagna
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Lasagna is on my list for a great dinner for any night--family or company. But how do we handle the carbs? Eggplant replaces the pasta and lowers the calories and carbs.
You can use all eggplant or do what I did-use the lasagna noodles on top and the eggplant slices for the rest. A little bit of both worlds with the melt in your mouth cheesy flavor of this fabulous recipe.
Looks yummy and freezes well, so make some extra while you are about it.
Find the recipe below.
Foodie Lit
“I felt a deep sense of contentment and somewhere in the depths of my soul I knew that this was where I belonged, I had come home”, Lucy thought to herself.
Aunt Bea has left Lucy her home in a quaint English village. Lucy discovers that her aunt may not have died naturally and spends the year that she must live in this house if she is to inherit. Lucy falls in love with her aunt’s home as she unravels the mystery, with the help of a few ghosts.
A great mystery/romance!
Eggplant Lasagna
Serves 6
Two 8”x 8” pan, one 9”x 13” pan
1 large eggplant
4 lasagna noodles, uncooked
Filling
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 cup ricotta
2 eggs
1 pound frozen and defrosted spinach or fresh spinach, steamed. Both should be drained thoroughly.
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 pound mozzarella cheese, grated or shredded
1/2 cup parmesan
1 cup marinara sauce, homemade or store bought
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Slice eggplant into 1/2” rounds. Place in colander and salt. Let rest and drain for about 15 minutes. Rinse salt off quickly. Lightly sauté on both sides in a large skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil or brush with olive oil and bake in 400F oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes per side. Remove from oven and set aside.
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In a bowl, mix together ricotta, eggs, spinach, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
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Spread 1/3 marinara sauce on bottom of pan. Place eggplant rounds to cover bottom of pan. Add 1/2 ricotta filling on top. Add the second third of mozzarella.
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Preheat oven to 375 F.
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Add another layer of eggplant, rest of filling, sauce and mozzarella. Top with lasagna noodles, rest of marinara sauce and top with rest of mozzarella and all of parmesan.
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Bake for 45 minutes. Cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
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To freeze: Bring lasagna to room temperature. Cover top with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Completely cover with aluminum foil. Label and freeze up to 3 months. When ready to use, remove from freezer and bring to room temperature. Heat in a 350 oven for 15 minutes or until warm in the center.
Expandthetable suggestions
Zucchini: Use zucchini slices in place of eggplant, preparing the same way.
More pasta: Use all lasagna noodles in place of eggplant.
Cheesier: If you like a cheesier lasagna, add more mozzarella and/or parmesan.
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