Pasta Roll-ups with Turkey & Spinach

18. Pasta Roll-ups with Turkey & Spinach
Cater this cute, bundled recipe to your family’s tastes! Some of our readers loved the unique flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon, while others subbed in jalapeño for some kick.

Here's a good way to sneak some greens into your kids – and time into your schedule! These lasagna-style roll-ups can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick, easy weeknight meal.

Photo: Yvonne Duivenvoorden

By Diana Burrell

Serves: 8
Hands-on time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground turkey breast
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 28-oz can whole tomatoes in juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 sheets dried high-protein or whole-wheat lasagna
• 1 10-oz box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 15-oz container nonfat ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute. Turn heat to medium-high and add ground turkey, breaking it up with a spatula until meat shows no sign of pink. Stir in cinnamon and nutmeg, then add tomatoes and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low, stir, cover and let simmer for 20 minutes, occasionally stirring and breaking up tomatoes with a wooden spoon.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, rinse and allow to cool in a colander.
3. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Squeeze all remaining moisture from thawed spinach and place in large bowl. Add ricotta cheese, egg and a 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese to bowl. Stir until combined
4. Spread 1 cup of cooked tomato sauce into bottom of a 9 x 10-inch casserole dish. Lay a cooked lasagna noodle flat in front of you. Use your fingers to spread 1/8 of ricotta mixture across the noodle and roll it up. Place the rolled pasta seam side down, into the casserole dish. Repeat with remaining noodles. Spread remaining tomato sauce over roll-ups, then top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella
5. Bake, covered with foil, for 20 minutes. Remove foil and broil for 5 minutes or until roll-ups are browned and bubbly.

Nutrients per serving: Calories: 234, Total Fat: 3 g, Sat. Fat: 0 g, Carbs: 27 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 7 g, Protein: 28 g, Sodium: 508 mg, Cholesterol: 76 mg

Nutritional Bonus:
One serving of these lasagna-style roll-ups gives you 90 % of your vitamin A requirement and a healthy dose of calcium – 366 milligrams to be precise.

TIP:

Your leftovers need not go to waste when a recipe calls for ground turkey and all you’ve got is breast meat! Cut the turkey into cubes and pulse them in your food processor (just a few pulses is all it takes)
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