Spinach and Mushroom Lasagna

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Serves: 12

Serving Size: one 3 x 3-in square

Prep Time: 1 hr

Cook Time: 1 hr

Total Time: 2 hrs

Ingredients:

FOR FILLING:

• 2 lbs frozen chopped spinach thawed
• 1 lb crimini or white button mushrooms
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2/3 cup roasted garlic puree
• 1 1/2 lbs firm tofu blotted dry and finely crumbled
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

TO ASSEMBLE LASAGNA:

• One 13.25-oz package whole-wheat or brown rice noodles
• 14 to 16 noodles two 26-oz jars low-fat marinara sauce less than 3 gms fat per serving
• 1/3 cup flat-leaf (Italian) parsley chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. To make the filling, place thawed spinach in a colander in the sink or over a deep bowl. Using your hands, squeeze or press spinach vigorously to remove excess liquid. Continue to squeeze and press spinach until it is almost dry; excess liquid left in the spinach will make a soggy lasagna. Once drained, you should have about 3 cups spinach. Set aside.
2. Working in batches as necessary, place mushrooms into a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse 6–8 times, until mushrooms are finely diced but not pureed. Place diced mushrooms in a bowl. Repeat with remaining mushrooms until all mushrooms are diced.
3. In a large saute pan over medium heat, saute diced mushrooms with 1/8 teaspoon of the salt and pepper, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their liquid and liquid evaporates, 15–20 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, combine mushrooms, drained spinach, roasted garlic puree, tofu, nutritional yeast, basil, oregano, remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and cayenne, if using. Season to taste with more basil, oregano, and/or cayenne as needed.
5. In a 5- to 6-quart pot over high heat, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. When water is boiling, add lasagna noodles one at a time, criss-crossing the layers of noodles so they don’t stick.
6. Turn off heat and let noodles soften in hot water for 6 minutes. (They will seem undercooked.) Drain. If you need to hold the noodles before assembly, return noodles to pot and cover with cold water. Drain and pat dry thoroughly before using.
7. To assemble the lasagna, spread 1 cup of marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9 ½ x 13 x 2–in baking pan. Cover sauce with 3 to 4 noodles. Spread one-quarter (about 2 cups) of the spinach-tofu filling over the noodles.
8. Repeat 3 times, using the same amounts of sauce, noodles, and filling each time. Top finished lasagna with 1 cup of marinara sauce. (Any remaining marinara sauce can be spooned over the lasagna at serving time, or reserved for another use.)
9. Place lasagna on the middle rack of the oven and bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Cover lasagna with foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
10. Remove from oven and discard foil. Let lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. While lasagna is resting, reheat the remaining marinara sauce, if desired. Cut into squares with a serrated knife. Serve with extra warmed marinara sauce and garnish each serving with chopped parsley, if desired.

Recipe By: ornish.com