Turkey, Mushroom, and Spinach Lasagna

I don't typically mess with lasagna at home.

It's a a bit fussy and usually pretty expensive to make. Definitely a special occasion meal in this house.

So I definitely broke my own rule when I made this lasagna. I was searching for lower calorie pasta meals (hard to do!) and came across this healthier version of a traditional lasagna that also came with just a 20 minute prep time and minimal pricey ingredients. At just 390 calories a serving, I was sold!

This was actually whipped up on a weeknight without much effort and it may possibly be my favorite lasagna recipe to date. It makes a large amount but we had no issues polishing it off within a few days. Even my traditional lasagna loving husband LOVED this version.

Ground turkey, spinach, and mushrooms add loads of flavor along with a secret ingredient of turkey pepperoni! I don't usually like pepperoni but I rolled with it and am glad I did. It adds a spicy unique flavor in the background that you can't quite pinpoint... unless you made it, of course.

Make sure you hold onto a full cup of marinara sauce to cover the top layer or you'll end up with not quite cooked through noodles on top like mine!

Turkey, Mushroom, and Spinach Lasagna

1 lb extra lean ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

8 ounces crimini mushrooms, sliced

4 cups baby spinach

32 ounce jar of marinara sauce

4 ounces turkey pepperoni, chopped

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

12 no-boil lasagna noodles

15 ounces fat free ricotta

1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella

fresh basil

Preheat oven to 375.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the turkey, fennel, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix together. Cook until the meat is no longer pink. Transfer to a bowl.

Add oil to the same skillet. When hot, add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is soft - about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook another 5 minutes. Add the spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted - about 2 minutes. Stir in the turkey and remove from heat. 

Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 4 lasagna noodles, overlapping if needed. Layer half of the turkey filling on top, then add half the ricotta. Top with 1 cup of marinara, half the pepperoni, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Add another layer of 4 noodles, then turkey filling, the rest of the ricotta, 1 cup of marinara, sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and the rest of the pepperoni. Top with 4 more lasagna noodles and the remaining cup of marinara sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and basil.

Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes, or until the noodles are soft and mozzarella has browned. Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing. 

Source: Healthy. Delicious.