Almost everyone loves lasagna, but the reality is that this popular dish is loaded with calories, making it forbidden fare for weight watchers. In fact, the average serving of lasagna typically contains around 1,000 calories, sometimes more, and that’s over half the daily calorie allowance for most dieters. It’s entirely possible, however, for weight watchers to enjoy lasagna without experience an ounce of guilt, or sabotaging their diets, that is, if they prepare it according to one of the following delicious low-calorie recipes.
Recipe for Basic Low Calorie Cheese Lasagna
This is a recipe for basic lasagna, without all the bells and whistles, so to speak, but the results will please the palates of not only dieters but also their family members and dinner guests. Please note, however, that the recipe calls for “light” mushroom soup and “light” cottage cheese, so using regular products will naturally increase the caloric content of each serving.
Ingredients:
- 1 can light mushroom soup
- 1/4 pound thinly sliced Swiss cheese
- 1 cup light cottage cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon curry powder
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Lasagna noodles
- 1 and 1/2 quart casserole dish
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix cottage cheese, curry powder, sliced cheese, and soup.
- Layer mixture with lasagna noodles in casserole dish.
- Combine crumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Sprinkle crumb and Parmesan mixture over top.
- Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (check for doneness).
- Yield: 6 servings
- Calories: 185 per serving
This recipe is a bit higher in calories than the preceding recipe, but at 480 calories per serving, the finished product contains less than half the calories in a traditional lasagna dish.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound lean ground chuck or beef
- 2/3 cup light cottage cheese
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1/4 cup flour
- 12 tablespoons grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 8 ounces tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Nonstick cooking spray
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Brown ground chuck or beef and drain well.
- Add oregano, basil, 1/2 the grated mozzarella cheese (6 tablespoons), tomato paste, and mix well.
- Coat 8-inch baking pan or dish with nonstick spray.
- Layer beef mixture, cottage cheese, and Parmesan cheese in 8-inch pan.
- Combine milk, flour, eggs, baking powder, and pepper then mix well.
- Pour milk and flour mixture over layered beef mixture.
- Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minute or until golden brown.
- Yield: 4 servings
- Calories: 480 per serving
Although this lasagna does not contain noodles, it’s high in flavor and nutrition and low in calories, making it the perfect main course for people who are serious about losing or maintaining their weight.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound lean ground chuck or beef
- 1 15-ounce tomato sauce
- 4 medium zucchini squash, sliced lengthwise in strips (about 1/4 inch thick)
- 1 8-ounce carton of light cottage cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1’2 teaspoon basil
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Brown beef with onion, drain, and return to skillet.
- Add tomato sauce, spices, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Combine cottage cheese and egg in a bowl, mixing well.
- Place layer of sliced zucchini in 8 x 12 baking dish.
- Top with 1 tablespoon flour, all the cottage cheese mixture, and half the ground beef mixture.
- Place second layer of zucchini in dish.
- Top with remaining flour, mozzarella cheese, and remaining ground beef mixture.
- Bake for approximately 40 minutes or until golden.
- Yield: 6 servings
- Calories; 245 per serving
- Low Calorie Homemade Vegetable Soup Recipes
- Low Calorie Muffin Recipes for a Healthy Diet
- Low Calorie Pie Recipes for Weight Watchers
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
