Quick and easy San Giorgio Lasagna
Craving a delicious & easy weeknight dinner? Look no further! Master San Giorgio Lasagna in under an hour with our healthy twist & veggie hacks. Get the recipe & impress your family tonight!
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 Colander
- 1 Sharp Knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 1 Large Mixing bowl
- 1 Medium Mixing bowl
- 1 Rubber Spatula
- 1 Spoon
- 1 9x13 inch baking dish
- 1 Oven
- 1 Can opener (if using canned tomatoes)
- 1 Vegetable grater or food processor (optional, for riced cauliflower)
- Baking sheet (optional, for roasting vegetables)
Ingredients
- 1 16-ounce box San Giorgio lasagna noodles
- 2 28-ounce jars San Giorgio marinara sauce (or your preferred sauce)
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey or chicken breast cooked and browned (Good Life App Tip)
- Chopped fresh herbs parsley, basil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
- Fire up your oven and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the lasagna cooks through evenly and the cheese gets nice and bubbly on top.
- Step 2: Prepare the Sauce (Optional)
- While the oven preheats, if you're opting for a homemade sauce, this is the time to get it started.
- There are countless delicious homemade marinara sauce recipes available online and in cookbooks. If you're new to sauce making, don't be intimidated! Here's a simple recipe to get you started, inspired by healthy principles:
- Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- (1) 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes (choose a brand with no added sugar)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (Good Life App Tip)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
- Lasagna noodles should be cooked al dente, meaning "to the tooth" in Italian. This translates to a slightly firm texture that holds its shape when bitten into. Here's how to achieve perfectly cooked lasagna noodles:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to the package instructions, typically for 8-10 minutes.
- Important Tip: Don't overcook the noodles! They will continue to cook and soften further when layered in the lasagna.
- Once cooked, drain the noodles in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to stop the cooking process.
- Step 4: Prepare the Ricotta Cheese Mixture
- Now, let's create a lighter and healthier ricotta cheese mixture
- In a medium bowl, combine 15 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese.
- Instead of whole eggs, use 2 egg whites for added protein and less fat. Beat the egg whites until slightly frothy.
- Add the egg whites, along with ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the ricotta cheese.
- Using a fork, mash and stir the ingredients until well combined and creamy.
- Step 5: Assemble the Lasagna
- Now comes the fun part – assembling your lasagna!
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a thin layer of cooking spray or olive oil.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce (about ½ cup) on the bottom of the prepared dish. This prevents the bottom layer of noodles from becoming dry.
- Create a single layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Dollop spoonfuls of the lighter ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles, spreading it gently with a rubber spatula.
- Incorporate a Healthy Twist: Here's where the Good Life App comes in! Instead of just ground beef, use 1 pound of cooked and browned ground turkey or chicken breast. This swaps out some saturated fat for leaner protein. Crumble the cooked protein and sprinkle it evenly over the ricotta cheese layer.
- Sprinkle with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layering process: sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, protein, mozzarella cheese. Aim for 3-4 total layers, ending with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Step 6: Bake the Lasagna
- Carefully transfer the assembled lasagna to the preheated oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly, and the edges start to pull away from the dish.
- Step 7: Rest, Slice, and Serve
- This step is crucial! Resist the urge to dig in right away. Letting the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes allows the flavours to meld and ensures clean cuts when serving.
- Once rested, use a sharp knife to cut the lasagna into squares. Serve hot with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, a simple green salad for added freshness, or a dollop of Greek yoghurt for a lighter touch.
- Top Tip: Garnish your lasagna with fresh chopped parsley or basil for an extra pop of colour and flavour.