Spinach Stuffed Shells

Spinach Stuffed Shells w/ Red Sauce, by Ellen


Ingredients

1 box jumbo pasta shells

1 10 oz package frozen spinach, thawed

1 24 oz container cottage cheese

1 15 oz container ricotta cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 teaspoons oregano

8 slices mozzarella cheese

any red pasta sauce

Weight Watchers Mexican Brown Rice Casserole

Weight Watchers Mexican Brown Rice Casserole (Kate)

PointsPlus™ Value: 8

Servings: 6

1 spray(s) cooking spray

4 cup(s) cooked brown rice

1 1/4 cup(s) salsa

1 tsp Durkee Ground Cumin Seed, or other brand

15 oz canned refried beans

10 oz frozen corn kernels, thawed

4 oz canned green chili peppers, mild, diced

1 Tbsp chili powder

10 oz chopped frozen spinach, or collard greens, thawed and set to drain in a strainer over a bowl

3/4 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, divided

2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, chopped (optional; for garnish)



Instructions

· Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 2-quart rectangular, round or oval baking dish with cooking spray

· In a large bowl, combine rice, salsa and cumin. Spoon 2 cups of rice mixture into prepared baking dish and spread out to evenly cover bottom of dish.

· In another large bowl, combine refried beans, corn, chili peppers and chili power. Using a rubber spatula, scrape bean mixture on top of rice layer and smooth out top.

· Squeeze out any excess water from spinach or collard greens and then spread on top of bean layer; sprinkle with 6 tablespoons of cheese. Top with remaining rice mixture and smooth out top; sprinkle with remaining cheese.

· Place casserole on a large rimmed baking sheet to catch any spillage. Bake until heated through and cheese is browned and bubbling, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro (if desired), cut into 6 pieces and serve.

Guilt-Free Lasagna

submitted by Michelle


Ingredients:



9 lasagna noodles

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 medium zucchini, sliced

1 medium eggplant, sliced

2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

16 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese





Instructions:

1. Prepare the lasagna noodles according to directions. When cooked through, set aside on paper towels to dry.

2. Sauté the onions and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, zucchini and eggplant, and cook until tender. Mix in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with spices. Simmer for five to 10 minutes.

3. In a small bowl mix together the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses.

4. Evenly coat the bottom of a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with about a half cup of the sauce. Remove another half-cup of the sauce and set aside.

5. To assemble the lasagna: Top the sauce in the baking dish with an even layer of noodles, cutting to fit the pan if necessary. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the lasagna noodles. Then layer with half of the remaining sauce mixture. Repeat.

6. Top the final layer of noodles with the reserved half-cup of sauce. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.

7. Cover with tin foil and bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese has browned.



Serves: 9

Mexican Whole Wheat Calzones

Submitted by Kate

1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup Mexican blend cheese

1/2 cup green enchilada sauce

1/2 cup jarred roasted red peppers, drained and chopped

1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed

whole wheat pizza dough

olive oil

1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Serve with Salsa and Sour Cream

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line large baking sheet with foil. Lightly grease foil; set aside.

In a large bowl combine beans, cheese, enchilada sauce, peppers, and corn; set aside.

Unroll each pizza crust and cut each crust in half crosswise and lengthwise to make eight pieces. Divide bean mixture evenly onto half of each portion. Fold dough over to enclose filling; press edges to seal. Place on baking sheet. Cut slits in tops, brush lightly with oil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake in oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until browned. Serve with salsa and sour cream.

Low Guilt Lasagna

Submitted by Michelle

9 whole wheat lasagna noodles

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 medium zucchini, sliced

1 medium eggplant, sliced

2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes

1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

16 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare the lasagna noodles according to directions. When cooked through, set aside on paper towels to dry.

2. Sauté the onions and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms, zucchini and eggplant, and cook until tender. Mix in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Season with spices. Simmer for five to 10 minutes.

3. In a small bowl mix together the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses.

4. Evenly coat the bottom of a 9-inch by 13-inch baking dish with about a half cup of the sauce. Remove another half-cup of the sauce and set aside.

5. To assemble the lasagna: Top the sauce in the baking dish with an even layer of noodles, cutting to fit the pan if necessary. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the lasagna noodles. Then layer with half of the remaining sauce mixture. Repeat.

6. Top the final layer of noodles with the reserved half-cup of sauce. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.

7. Cover with tin foil and bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese has browned.
Serves: 9
Nutrition Content (per serving):

329 calories, 11 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 45 g carbohydrates, 10 g fiber, 21 g protein, 619 mg sodium, 400 mg calcium

Sweet Potato Burritos

submitted by: Michelle S.

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups canned black beans, drained
• 2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 4 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
• 12 (10 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
• 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese (can be left out if wanted)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Heat oil in a medium skillet, and saute onion and garlic until soft. Stir in beans, and mash. Gradually stir in water, and heat until warm. Remove from heat, and stir in the chili powder, cumin, mustard, cayenne pepper and soy sauce.
3. Divide bean mixture and mashed sweet potatoes evenly between the warm flour tortillas. Top with cheese. Fold up tortillas burrito style, and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven, and serve.

Tex-Mex Rice and Bean Casserole

submitted by: Brooke T.

4 points per serving
6 Servings

1 spray cooking spray
1 cup of frozen corn kernels thawed
1 Tbsp canned chili peppers mild or hot chopped
15 oz can of pinto beans rinsed and drained
1 cup cooked brown rice
3/4 cup of reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese
3/4 cup light sour cream
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbsp scallions
2 tbsp reduced fat shredded Mexican style cheese

Preheat oven at 350
In a large bowl combine corn, chili, beans, 3/4 cups of shredded cheese, sour cream, chili powder, salt and pepper; stir in scallions.
Spoon Mixture into a prepared mixing dish and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining of the cheese. Place back into the oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
Let sit for 5 minutes before cutting to firm up.

Dahl

submitted by: Whitney C.

1 cup red lentils
1.5 c veg stock
1 tbsp olive oil
1 chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp ground coriander
3 tbsp lemon juice

boil lentils in stock till soft. Fry onion, garlic, coriander & cumin till soft & golden. Mix the two together & wizz up in a blender (I did not do this. The lentils were so soft I just mixed all the ingredients together at this point, including the lemon juice).
Serve with warm pita

Veggie Jambalaya

submitted by Jamie R.

1 Tbsp. oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups water
14 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp. fennel seeds, crushed
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
15 oz. can butter beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz. can red beans, rinsed and drained

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic in hot oil until tender, about 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add water, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and fennel seed.

Bring to a boil and add rice. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender, stirring frequently.

Add beans and cover. Simmer 5-10 minutes longer or until well heated, stirring frequently. To freeze, cool casserole in refrigerator and ladle into plastic freezer containers. Seal and freeze. To reheat, place frozen jambalaya in saucepan and heat over very low heat, breaking up and stirring frequently, until hot. Serves 6-8