Sandi’s Spinach Ricotta Bake

Hubby saw a picture of manicotti stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach.  He remarked on how delicious it looked.  I don’t do pasta so the challenge was on for me to create something as delicious that I wanted to eat and that he would love as well.  Here’s what I came up with… layer summer squash (I used yellow squash), spicy chicken sausage bits (I chopped up 2 sausages), top with ricotta/spinach mix, and then add marinara sauce, some parmesan and mozzarella then bake.  It smells great while it’s cooking and tastes even better than it looks and smells.  Challenge accepted and WON!!

Ingredients:

• 2 Trader Joe’s Andouille Chicken Sausages Chopped*
• 24 ounces of Summer Squash Sliced Into 1/4 - 1/2 Inch “Coins”
• 1 (15 ounce) Container of Low Fat Ricotta Cheese*
• 1 (10 ounce) Package of Frozen, Chopped Spinach, Thawed and Squeezed Dry
• 2 1/4 cups Trader Joe’s Marinara Sauce*
• 1 1/2 cups Trader Joe’s Lite Shredded Mozzarella*
• 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 cup Minced Onion
• 2 teaspoons Minced Parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl combine ricotta, spinach, onion, and egg
3. Season with parsley, pepper, garlic powder and nutmeg.  Add 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup parmesan mixing thoroughly.
4. Spread 3/4 cup of marinara sauce on bottom of 13x9x2 baking dish
5. Spread cut squash over the pan evenly
6. Sprinkle the chopped sausage evenly next
7. Now spoon the ricotta cheese mixture over this, spreading to a single, even layer, and covering the squash and sausage
8. Cover with the remaining marinara sauce
9. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese
10. Bake in a preheated oven about 45 minutes, until squash is cooked, and cheese is all bubbly
11. Mangia!  Enjoy!

Nutrition:  Makes 8 servings, each with

• 191 calories
• 19.3 grams protein 
• 15 carbs

*These nutritional stats are for using the brands and products stated above.  You may substitute any brand but will need to determine the nutritional values using your brands.