This recipe uses something a little less traditional as a substitute for the high carb typical lasagna noodle. Hearts of palm noodles!
What IS hearts of palm?
Hearts of palm (HOP) is literally what the name implies-it’s the inner core and growing buds of certain palm trees. It has a very mild flavor (much like any plain pasta) so it lends itself very well to be used in pasta dishes. The texture is a little firmer/crunchier than traditional pasta but not in a bad way. It’s a nutrition coach’s dream as it’s very friendly on the calorie and macro front. A 75g serving (which is about what is in one serving of the recipe I am about to share with you) only has 20 calories. Traditional lasagna noodles are going to run you around 170 calories for 1 serving. The HOP noodles are also gluten free, non GMO, have a decent amount of fiber per serving (only 4 total carbs!), and are also a good source of magnesium, zinc, and iron! So…long story short, if you are watching your overall intake or counting carbs, this recipe (and other versions of HOP pasta) definitely needs to be on your list to try! Even my almost 3 year old ate it.
Without further ado, here’s your recipe!
⭐️ Ingredients ⭐️
🔹1lb grass fed ground sirloin (usually 90-95% lean) cooked with sausage seasoning (see below-don’t skip this step!)
🔹1 jar low sugar pasta sauce (23oz)
🔹2 envelopes palmini lasagna noodles
🔹2 cups mozzarella cheese
🔹1 15oz container ricotta
🔹2 cloves fresh minced garlic
🔹1 egg
🔹Fresh basil
🔹Italian seasoning
⭐️Instructions⭐️
🔹Preheat oven to 375 degrees
🔹Drain palm lasagna noodles in a colander and rinse well.
🔹Lay out on a large baking sheet or cutting board lined with a paper towel. Cover with a paper towel and pat dry. Set aside.
🔹Cook ground beef with sausage seasoning.
🔹Add 1/2 cup pasta sauce to the bottom of a 9X13 casserole dish.
🔹Mix remaining sauce with the ground beef mixture.
🔹Place one layer of noodles side by side on top of pasta sauce.
🔹Lightly beat one egg, add ricotta to bowl with the egg along with 1tsp Italian seasoning and fresh minced garlic, mix to combine.
🔹Add half of meat/sauce mixture to the casserole dish on top of the noodles
🔹Top with half ricotta mixture and 1/2 cup cheese
🔹Add another layer of noodles
🔹Add remaining meat mixture to the top
🔹Add last layer of noodles (used the rest of what was left)
🔹Top with the remaining ricotta mixture
🔹Finish it off by adding the remaining 1.5 cup cheese. You should essentially have two layers of each: meat mixture and cheese, and then 3 layers of noodles.
🔹Bake in oven for 30-35 min, turn to broil and broil for an additional 3min (watch closely!) or until cheese is brown and bubbly.
🔹Add fresh sliced basil to the top.
🔹Allow to cool. Cut into 6 pieces.
Nutrition: 358kcal 34P/19C/15F
Sausage seasoning (for 1lb ground meat):
•1tsp dried parsley
•1 tsp Italian seasoning
•3/4 tsp black pepper
•1/2 tsp fennel seed
•1/4 tsp paprika
•1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
•1 tsp salt
•1/2 Tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
•1/2 tsp minced onion or onion powder
Mix together to combine.