Moussaka Lasagna - PCOS-Friendly Recipe
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 sweet yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup chopped green pepper
- 1 1/2 cups pieces or slices mushrooms sliced
- 16 oz extra lean ground beef
- 15 oz no salt added tomato sauce (canned)
- 1 can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp celery seed
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1 tsp crumbled whole bay leaf
- 1 1/2 unpeeled eggplant
- 50 g mozzarella cheese (part skim milk)
- 2 tbsps parmesan cheese
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- In a large saucepan heat olive oil. Add onions and garlic, sauté until soft, add mushrooms and peppers and cook until mushrooms start to shrink and are starting to brown.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Add tomato sauce, water and paste and bring to a boil.
- Reduce to medium and add pepper, celery seed, oregano, whole bay leaf and simmer, stirring occasionally until eggplant is prepared. (If like to use salt I recommend sea salt to taste.)
- To prepare eggplant, slice into 1/4 inch thick slices. Brown slices in a non-stick pan, you can use cooking spray like Pam if you like.
- Pre-heat oven to 350° F (175° C). In an 8x11" glass baking dish ladle half of your meat sauce, cover with a layer of eggplant and sprinkle with half of your mozzarella cheese.
- Add the other half of your meat sauce, cover with remaining eggplant.
- Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and sprinkle on parmesan sparingly.
- Bake for 60 minutes. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
How This Recipe Supports PCOS Management
Understanding the nutritional profile of what you eat is a powerful step in managing PCOS. Here is how the key ingredients in this Moussaka Lasagna contribute to your health goals:
- Beef: Zinc supports hormone production and immune function
- Egg: Contain choline which supports liver function and hormone metabolism
- Olive oil: Anti-inflammatory properties make it especially beneficial for PCOS
- Garlic: May help reduce cholesterol levels often elevated in PCOS
- Tomato: Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress elevated in PCOS
PCOS Diet Principles in This Recipe
The PCOS diet focuses on three core principles: reducing inflammation, managing insulin resistance, and supporting hormonal balance. Every recipe in our collection is evaluated against these principles. This recipe excels in providing protein-rich ingredients that help regulate appetite hormones (ghrelin and leptin), and anti-inflammatory spices that target the chronic inflammation underlying PCOS. As part of a balanced PCOS meal plan, we recommend pairing recipes like this with a variety of nutrient-dense foods throughout the week to ensure you are meeting all your micronutrient needs.
Meal Prep Tip: This Moussaka Lasagna can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Meal prepping is one of the most effective strategies for sticking to a PCOS-friendly diet, as it removes the temptation to reach for processed convenience foods when time is short.
Stop Second-Guessing Every Meal
Get a personalized eating plan for YOUR PCOS type. Know exactly what to eat this week.
No subscription. No commitment.
Not sure what to eat for PCOS?
Take a 60-second quiz and get a personalized 7-day meal plan.
Take the Quiz
Comments
Register or log in to add a comment