Lunch: Valerie Bertinelli's Spinach and Cheese Lasagna

Recipe by Woman's Day Kitchen Bertinelli grew up in a big Italian family; one of her go-to family favorites is her grandmother's lasagna, made with a rich béchamel sauce. Woman's Day lightened things up, creating a heart-healthy, lower-calorie version th

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Spinach

Health benefits of Valerie Bertinelli's Spinach and Cheese Lasagna

Spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. The high iron content in spinach helps combat anemia, which is common in women with PCOS. Magnesium helps reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. The antioxidants in spinach can help lower oxidative stress, which is beneficial for managing PCOS symptoms. Including spinach in your diet can support overall health and well-being.

Ingredients

12 lasagna noodles
2 clove garlic
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
3/4 tsp. dried oregano
Black pepper
1 16-oz container lowfat cottage cheese
1 15-oz container part-skim ricotta
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
6 oz. part-skim mozzarella
1/2 c. Romano or Parmesan
1 bunch spinach

Instructions

Heat oven to 400 °F. Cook the noodles according to package directions.
In a food processor, pulse the garlic until finely chopped. Add the tomatoes, oregano and 1/4 tsp pepper and process until puréed.
In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta, nutmeg, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup Romano and 1/4 tsp pepper; fold in the spinach.
Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a 13 x 9-in. baking dish. Top with 3 noodles and a quarter of the remaining sauce (a heaping 1/2 cup), and dollop with a third of the ricotta mixture (about 2 cups); repeat twice. Top with the remaining 3 noodles and sauce.
Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella and 2 Tbsp Romano. Cover tightly with an oiled piece of foil (to prevent sticking) and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the noodles are tender and the top is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes more.

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