I have posted a lasagna recipe before, my readers liked it, and were asking for a lighter version. The version I'm sharing today is light but scrumptious.
Some hesitate when using uncooked lasagna sheets, but using the method I'm sharing in this post and video, the uncooked lasagna sheets well be perfectly cooked.
I get all excited when readers try my recipes, and I'd like you to also experiment with my recipes, for example, there are herbs and spices which I'm not fond of but you might like, so try using them in my recipes and let me know how it turned out.
I've used Parmesan cheese in this recipe, but you can use any low fat cheese, as long as you keep it to ¼ cup. Be creative and use the cheese you and your family like.
Why don't you try this recipe out and let me know what you think, even better why not take a picture and share it in my Cooksnaps widget at the bottom of the page?
Light Beef Lasagna
Serves 6. 424 calories per serving.
For the beef sauce:
400gm ground beef
1 chopped onion
1 chopped tomato
2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cube chicken bouillon (low sodium)
5 tablespoon tomato paste
3 cups boiling water
Black pepper
Salt to taste
½ teaspoon dried thyme or oregano
For the white Sauce:
3 cups low fat cold milk
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter
Salt to taste
Black pepper
6 lasagna sheets
¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
Making the beef sauce:
- In a hot pan, add the olive oil, and onion. Stir until translucent, then add the garlic and stir for 1 minute.
- Add the beef and stir until the beef is half cooked. Add the tomatoes and stir for 3 minutes then add the tomato paste.
- Season with black pepper, thyme, and add the chicken bouillon. Stir to combine.
- Add the boiling water and let it cook until the beef is done and the sauce is reduced a bit.
*Check if the sauce needs salt, usually the chicken bouillon takes care of it.
Making the white sauce:
- In a hot pan add the butter, when it melts add the flour and stir for a minute.
- Add the milk and stir or whisk to avoid creating lumps. When the sauce get thicker, season it with salt and pepper.
*My method is to pour the cold milk all at ones on the butter and flour mixture, then stir and I never get lumps.
Assembling the lasagna:
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- In a baking tray (I used non-stick), Pour ¾ cup from the beef sauce, then add around ½ a cup from the white sauce. Place a layer of Lasagna sheet on top.
- Repeat the first step but this time increase the amount of the beef sauce and the white sauce, and then place another layer of lasagna sheet on top.
- Let the last layer be the beef sauce, then the white sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and bake for 25 – 30 minutes.
Farah @ The Cooking Jar
Love the video, as usual. The music is so cheery! By the way, what's the measurement on your baking tray that 6 sheets of lasagna can fit in it nicely. I'm not entirely sure but those lasagna sheets look wider than what I'm used to seeing. Always had trouble fitting the right amount of lasagna sheets to the right size of pan.
Psst, you sued the Parmesan cheese!
munatycooking
Thanks girl, I've used 8.5"x8.5" square pan, and used Barilla's lasagna sheets. The lasagna sheets expands while in the oven and fit the pan nicely.
I love Parmesan cheese 🙂
munatycooking
LOL! I sued it, but then I found it delicious so I used it 🙂
Medeja
I just love lasagna! And I like that you made a lighter version of it 😉
Chris @ The Café Sucré Farine
I don't ever tire of Italian food but don't make it a lot as it's often so heavy. Love this lighter version. It looks amazing!
munatycooking
I always believed that Italian people are genius, just look at the countless dishes they have, and most of them are to die for!
Angie (@angiesrecipess)
I too love lasagna, but usually put off by its high calorie...this seems the perfect one!
Mary
Lasagna is a favorite here - thanks for making lighter!
Mary
munatycooking
Thanks Mary, my family loves lasagna and ask for it often, therefore I'm trying to keep the calories low 🙂
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
Great way to lighten up a classic - fun video!
munatycooking
I've enjoyed making the video, specially the part where I took a piece 🙂
Sandra | Sandra's Easy Cooking
Very delicious indeed! I want to dance and eat your lasagna...looks amazingly yummy!
munatycooking
LOL ... Thanks Sandra 🙂
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Your recipes are wonderful because they include the calories. I can't believe this is less than 500 calories! Looks delicious!
munatycooking
I love to eat and keeping the calories down makes me enjoy all my favorite dishes 🙂
Jenni
I haven't had a lasagna for ages, it usually lands like a brick, my daughter spotted this recipe and insisted we make it. Really tasty Italian dish without the indigestion !
munatycooking
Hi Jenni, thanks for trying my recipe and I'm so happy that you and your daughter liked it 🙂