What’s not to love?! Individual lasagna with a spiced up twist…

TEX-MEX LASAGNA

When you’re talkin’ about comfort food…Lasagna has to be pretty high on the list!

 

This one has a spicy twist and is perfect for those wanting to get away form the carby noodles.

I like to do it in individual servings so that each person gets a gorgeous little lasagna all their own…but making it in a large casserole would work for a crowd.

 

The only thing needed to complete the meal is a bowl of silky sour cream to top each bubbly serving and a crisp green salad.

Going vegetarian is easy, too… SUPER both ways!

 

(This recipe makes 12 individual cups or a 9×13 pan. It can easily be halved, though…and it would freeze great. Assemble, cover tightly and freeze. Thaw before baking.)

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Vegetable cooking spray
1 pound ground beef, turkey or 1 pkg. Morningstar Crumbles for vegetarian 
1 tablespoon olive oil - if using Crumbles
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 teaspoons Taco Seasoning
1 teaspoon cumin
One 16-ounce can refried beans
1 cup salsa, divided
One 15-ounce container Ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
24 round wonton wrappers (or 12 egg roll wrappers for a large casserole)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray twelve 4-ounce custard cups or 9×13 inch baking pan and set aside. If using cups, place them on a cookie sheet.

In a large skillet, over medium heat, cook beef or turkey and onions until meat in no longer pink and onions are tender. Drain if necessary. Stir in taco seasoning, cumin, refried beans, and 3/4 cup of the salsa. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a medium bowl combine ricotta cheese and 1 1/2 cups of the Monterey Jack cheese and set aside. Place one wonton wrapper in each custard cup (or a single layer in casserole dish). Spoon on 1 tablespoon of meat mixture, topped with 1 tablespoon cheese mixture. (If using casserole, spoon on half of meat mixture and half of cheese mixture.) Repeat with wrapper, meat and cheese. Place 1/2 teaspoon of the remaining salsa on each cup or spread onto casserole. Top with remaining Jack cheese.

Bake the cups 25 minutes or the casserole 40 or until golden and bubbly. Garnish with avocados and sour cream if desired. Makes 12 servings.

Per Serving: Calories 290; Protein 15 g; Fat 9 g; Carbs 8 g;  Sugar 1 g; Sodium 344 mg

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Mama Mia!

LASAGNA SOUP

Thanks and smooch to my friend Laurel for inspiring this one.

This actually tastes like lasagna…with the tomato sauce, basil, sausage and smooth, cool ricotta….WOW!

All your favorite flavors without so much of the starchy pasta.  There are still a few pieces floating in the rich meat broth, but you’ll never miss the rest.

Try it vegetarian, too…fantastico!!

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1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound bulk hot Italian turkey sausage (or 1 pound sausages, casings removed) OR 1 pkg. Morningstar Crumbles
2 cups diced onions
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups diced zucchini
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes seasoned with oregano
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
Two 14-ounce cans low sodium chicken broth
1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1/2 cup mini Farfalle pasta - optional
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh, chopped basil

In a saucepan or stockpot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook, breaking up with spoon, until sausage is browned and onions are softened. Add zucchini, dried basil, oregano, pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Add spinach and pasta, if using, and continue to cook until pasta is done, about 7 minutes.

Meanwhile in a small bowl stir the fresh, chopped basil into the ricotta cheese. When soup is finished, ladle into shallow bowls. Carefully add 1/4 cup of the ricotta-basil mixture to the bowl. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Makes 8 servings.

Per WLS Serving: 260Cal; 20 g Protein; 10 g Tot Fat; 17g Carb; 2 g Fiber; 3 g Sugar; 609 mg Sodium

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