The best kind of comfort food with a healthy twist
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a recipe! Life has been crazy to say the least. Even though it has been 90 degrees this week, I am bound and determined to embrace the fall season.
Fall is hands down my favorite time of the year, football games, tailgates, cardigans, chilly cozy evenings, I am here for all of it! The food this time of year so delicious and comforting I can’t help but get excited.
This healthy twist on lasagna is exactly what you need to fill those comfort needs without busting out of your pants seams. I add in almond ricotta “cheese” to this but if that doesn’t serve you, feel free to leave it out! It is truly just as tasty without it. And if you do well with dairy, feel free to add in some of your favorite options to this dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of grass fed ground beef – quality matters!
- 12 ounces (package) of mushrooms – I used cremini but anything works
- 4 to 5 large zucchinis, sliced thinly, vertically
- 1 red or orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jar of your favorite marinara – I have recently fell in love with Rao’s
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tsp of salt
- 1/2 tsp of pepper
- Handful of fresh basil, chopped
- 1 package of almond ricotta – Kite Hill has a great option. Feel free to omit
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a cast iron skillet, saute onion, and mushrooms first and then add garlic and peppers until they become soft
- Add ground beef and cook until there is no pink remaining
- Add sauce of choice and the chopped basil
- Let sit and allow flavors to develop for 15 minutes
- Meanwhile, begin laying the sliced zucchini on the bottom of a glass casserole dish
- After the bottom layer is placed, top the zucchini with the beef and sauce mixture followed by random dollops of almond ricotta. Continue this pattern until you are out of ingredients with the meat mixture on top.
- Cook in oven for 30 minutes or until zucchinis are to your desired softness
This is also a great meal to prep ahead and place in the oven the next day! This allows the flavors to combine even more! You do you!