Eggplant Lasagna

Name: Eggplant Lasagna
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H20M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H35M0.000S
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise 1/3-inch thick; 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 onion, minced; 1 small carrot, diced; 1 stalk celery, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 pound lean ground turkey; One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes; 1/4 cup loosely-packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped; 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese; 7 ounces soft tofu, drained; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan; 10 ounces frozen spinach, defrosted and drained well; 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

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This recipe has a secret ingredient: tofu. Substitute half the ricotta cheese typically used in lasagna with soft tofu. It's low in fat, high in protein, iron-rich and affordable. You can also blend it into soups or stews for a creamy, velvety texture.

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 35 min

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min

Yield: 10 servings

Nutrition Info

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 35 min

Prep: 20 min
Cook: 1 hr 15 min

Yield: 10 servings
Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Cooking spray

2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise 1/3-inch thick

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 onion, minced

1 small carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 pound lean ground turkey

One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup loosely-packed fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese

7 ounces soft tofu, drained

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

10 ounces frozen spinach, defrosted and drained well

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray three baking sheets with cooking spray.
Arrange the eggplant in a single layer on the prepared sheet trays. Brush the eggplant on both sides with 2 tablespoons of the oil and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until soft, about 25 minutes.
Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until soft, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the turkey and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with the back of a wooden spoon, until browned, about 6 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Stir in the tomatoes, bring to a simmer, lower the heat to medium-low and cook until thickened, about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the basil.
Combine the ricotta, tofu, egg and 1/4 cup Parmesan in a medium bowl and smash with a fork until combined. Place the spinach in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out all the liquid you can. Add to the bowl and mix until incorporated.
Ladle one-quarter of the sauce into the bottom of a 9-x-13-inch baking dish.
Place 6 pieces of eggplant on top of the sauce. It's okay if they overlap. Spread half of the tofu-cheese mixture over the eggplant and top with another one-quarter of the sauce. Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella. Repeat the layers. Add a final layer of sauce and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan. Bake until bubbling and golden on top, about 35 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.