Healthy Ground Chicken Lasagna
A delightful twist on classic lasagna, this Healthy Ground Chicken Lasagna is creamy without cream, loaded with fresh ingredients, and perfect for family dinners or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, diced Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
- 2 medium carrots, grated Provides natural sweetness and extra nutrition.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced Offers aromatic goodness that makes your mouth water.
Meat
- 2 lbs ground chicken A lean protein that keeps this dish hearty yet healthy.
Sauce and Cheese
- 47 oz marinara sauce The base that brings all the flavors together.
- 15 oz ricotta cheese Creamy texture that lightens up traditional lasagna.
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded Melty, gooey goodness on top.
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded Adds a nutty flavor and sumptuous crust.
Additional Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil For sautéing; brings richness without the heaviness.
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning Delivers classic Italian flavors.
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped Nutrient-packed greens that blend right in.
- 1 large egg Helps bond the cheese mixture together.
- 1 lb oven-ready lasagna noodles No need to pre-cook; makes assembly a breeze.
- Salt and pepper to taste seasonings Basic seasonings that tie it all together.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and grated carrots. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they’re soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for another minute.
- Add the ground chicken, breaking it apart with a spatula. Continue cooking until the chicken is browned and fully cooked, around 7-10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
Cooking & Assembly
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, and egg. Stir well until everything is blended together.
- In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom.
- Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Next, layer half of the ground chicken mixture, followed by half of the ricotta mixture.
- Repeat the process: noodles, marinara, ground chicken, ricotta.
- Finish with a layer of noodles on top, cover with the remaining marinara, and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
- Let the lasagna cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Allow this dish to cool before slicing to maintain clean layers. Perfect for making ahead and storing leftovers! It can be frozen for up to 2 months before baking.