Spinach Lasagna Rolls Ups

These individual serving size lasagna roll ups are so simple to make. I was able to come home from work, assemble them, roll them up, pop them in the oven, and eat just in time to run out the door for class.

 
Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

Ingredients

10 whole wheat lasagna noodles, cooked
6 cups fresh baby spinach and 1 cup water or 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach
15 oz. cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
1 cup low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella, shredded
1 egg
Salt and pepper
3 cups marinara sauce*

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. If using fresh spinach: Chop spinach. Place spinach in a large pot with about 1 cup of water over high heat. Bring to a boil. Continue to boil for 3-4 minutes or until spinach wilts. Drain spinach. 
3. In a medium boil, combine spinach, cottage/ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, salt and pepper. 
4. In the bottom of a 9x12 baking dish, ladle in half of the marinara sauce (about 1 1/2 cups).
5. Dry the cooked lasagna noodles of any water. Place a piece of wax paper on the counter to use as your rolling surface. Lay noodles flat on wax paper. Spread cheese mixture evenly over all the noodles. Roll the noodles.
6. Place the rolls evenly spaced in the baking dish over the marinara sauce. 
7. Ladle the remaining marinara sauce over the rolls. Top with 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
8. Cover with foil and put in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted.

*I make my own marinara sauce. I've provided the recipe below. I like to make a big batch that I can portion out and freeze. If you're pressed for time, you can use jarred sauce.

Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 medium onion

3 cloves garlic

2 15 oz cans organic tomato sauce

1 15 oz can organic diced tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper 

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp sugar*

1 bay leaf

6 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

1. In a food processor, combine tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and sugar. Pulse until combined.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and garlic, saute for 2 minutes.
4. Add tomato sauce mixture and bay leaf to skillet.
5. Simmer on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Stir in chopped basil leaves. 
7. Allow the sauce to cool before freezing.

*I use turbinado sugar or sugar-in-the-raw. 

 

Spicy Garlic Lime Shrimp Over Pasta

It's great to have a handful of quick and easy recipes that you can easily turn to when you're pushed for time. Like most typical Sundays, today I spent the day busy with church, chores, football, grocery shopping, and homework, so I decided to dig into my recipe book for a quick and easy, yet oh-so-good, recipe for dinner.  

Spicy Garlic Lime Shrimp over Pasta

(Adapted from Chili's Spicy Garlic Lime Shrimp) 

Servings: 4

Ingredients

Shrimp:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound large shrimp
• 1 lime
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley 
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/8 tsp onion powder
• 1/8 tsp dried thyme

Pasta:

• 1/2 pound whole wheat spaghetti noodles
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Garnish:

• chopped cilantro
• lime wedges

Directions

Shrimp:

1. Mix seasonings in a small bowl -- salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne, parsley, paprika, onion powder, and thyme.
2. Remove tails from shrimp. (Because the shrimp is being served over pasta, I think that removing the tails make it easier to eat. If you're making only the shrimp, you can leave the tails on.)
3. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and shrimp to skillet.
5. Cut lime in half and squeeze both halves on shrimp.
6. Sprinkle seasoning over shrimp and mix so that all pieces are evenly covered with seasoning. 
7. Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until shrimp is cooked through.

Pasta:

1. Boil water. 
2. Salt water.
3. Add pasta.
4. Stir occasionally. 
5. Follow package instructions for cooking times - cook until al dente.
6. Remove from heat and drain pasta.
7. Return to pot - don't return to heat. 
8. Drizzle to coat with olive oil.

Plate:

1. Plate, dividing pasta into 4 servings.
2. Top each plate with equal portions shrimp.
3. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedge. 
4. Enjoy!