Number 3 out of 5

This one was a little more complicated than my other two, but it still turned out well.  I’ve been craving Italian food during this sugar detox, and since I can’t have any kind of pasta (even wheat) my choices are limited.  I found an interesting recipe on Recipezaar for a South Beach Phase 1 friendly noodleless lasagna.   Here was the process:

Browned 2 lbs extra lean ground beef

Added 1 small onion , 1/2 green pepper (both chopped) and 4 cloves garlic (I used pre-minced)

When onion became transparent, added 8oz can tomato sauce, 6oz can tomato paste, 1/4c parsley and some oregano, rosemary, and basil.

Mixed well, covered and let simmer for 20 min.

Mixed 16oz part-skim ricotta cheese, 2 eggs and pepper in  a bowl.

Sprayed 9×13 dish and put 1/2 meat mixture on bottom.

Topped with a layer of sliced zucchini (2 medium zucchini).

Spread ricotta mixture on top of zucchini.

Topped ricotta with sliced mushrooms and 1lb steamed spinach.

Covered with 1c shredded low-fat mozzarella and 1/4c shredded low-fat Parmesan

Layered other 1/2 of meat mixture

Finished with another layer of cheese mixture.

Cooked 45 min on 325 until cheese was slightly golden.

Finished product: