The high tonight in the Mile High City is supposed to be a balmy 20 degrees. It has been snowing all day, the roads are treacherous, the visibility is low, and doing anything other than having the ultimate movie night tonight sounds downright impossible. Cook up a meaty lasagna, throw on your Redbox rental (we suggest the classic 80s flick, "Valley Girl"), and stay warm indoors while the sky opens outside.
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Better Beef Lasagna
Ingredients
12 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles (15 noodles)
8 ounces lean ground beef (90 percent lean or higher)
2 teaspoons olive oil
8 ounces portobello mushrooms, diced (about 3 large mushroom caps)
4 cups good-quality store-bought marinara sauce
1 (15 ounces) container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 (10 ounces) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch ground nutmeg
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
3 ounces grated part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 2/3 cup)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cook the noodles al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain them well then lay them out on waxed paper to prevent them from sticking to each other.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks for about 3 minutes. Transfer the meat to a plate, discarding any fat remaining in the pan.
Add the oil to the same pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally until all the liquid has evaporated and they begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Return the meat to the pan. Stir in 2 cups of tomato sauce and simmer for 2 minutes.
In a medium bowl combine the ricotta cheese, spinach, egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
Spread 1 cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 13-inch baking dish. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top, touching but not overlapping. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles. Add another layer of noodles. Top with half the beef-mushroom mixture. Repeat with another layer of noodles, then remaining cheese mixture, more noodles, then remaining beef mixture, and finally 1 more layer of noodles. Top the final layer of noodles with the remaining sauce, then sprinkle with the grated cheeses. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 minutes more.