NUTRITION

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

10 oz ground beef (93% lean)

2 medium zucchini

0.5 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

0.5 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese

2 cups fresh baby spinach

0.5 cup marinara sauce (no sugar added)

0.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

0.5 tsp garlic powder

0.5 tsp dried oregano

0.25 tsp sea salt

0.25 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp fresh basil

PREPARATION

• 1

  Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

• 2

  Slice the zucchinis into 0.25-inch thick rounds.

• 3

  In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and brown the ground beef until no pink remains.

• 4

  Stir in the garlic powder, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper to season the beef thoroughly.

• 5

  Roughly chop the fresh baby spinach and stir it into the ricotta cheese in a small bowl until well combined.

• 6

  Spread 2 tablespoons of the marinara sauce across the bottom of a small oven-safe baking dish.

• 7

  Place a layer of zucchini rounds over the sauce, followed by half of the seasoned beef and half of the spinach-ricotta mixture.

• 8

  Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini rounds, beef, and ricotta mixture.

• 9

  Top with the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the surface.

• 10

  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the cheese has melted into a bubbly golden crust.

• 11

  Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil, then let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.