Ground Turkey Lasagna Rolls

Now that Chicago has decided to be extremely cold and stay frigid until spring, I find myself craving warm comfort food. Usually these dishes are super high calorie, so I like to find healthier substitutions. This recipe uses ground turkey instead of greasy pork or beef, skim milk ricotta, and fat free mozz. Each roll is only 260 calories each! Yum! 

Ground Turkey Lasagna Rolls

Ingredients:

32 oz. jar spaghetti sauce

1 lb. Jennie-O Italian Seasoned Lean Ground Turkey

12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained

1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 3/4 cup (1 bag) fat free shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. 

2. In large fry pan, cook turkey until browned, stirring occasionally. Once turkey is cooked, remove from heat.  Pour 1/2 container of spaghetti sauce in pan with cooked turkey. Stir until well combined. 

3. Cover bottom of lasagna pan with 1/4 jar of spaghetti sauce, spreading evenly. 

4. Place cooked noodles flat on wax paper. Spread a thin coating of ricotta cheese, covering each noodle. Spoon thin layer of meat mixture over ricotta. Sprinkle small amount of shredded mozzarella over meat mixture. Roll up noodles slowly and place seam sides down in baking dish. 

5. Ladle the remaining 1/4 jar of spaghetti sauce on top of lasagna rolls. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.

6. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until cheese is melty. Enjoy!

Skinny Chocolate PB2 Cupcakes

Two words: Chocolate. Cake. So delicious, so decadent, and (usually) so sinful. Sin no more with my Skinny Chocolate PB2 Cupcakes! This recipes uses PB2 (powdered peanut butter) instead of flour, greatly reducing the fat and calorie count. I chose to frost mine with re-concentrated PB2, but feel free to experiment with toppings of your own!

Skinny Chocolate PB2 Cupcakes

Ingredients:

1 cup PB2, sifted (+ 2 tsp if frosting)

1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 egg + 1 egg white, lightly whisked

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp water

1/2 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325. 

2. In large bowl combine PB2, Cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Stir until well combined. 

3. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined. 

4. Pour batter evenly in to lined cupcake pan. Each cup should be about 2/3 full, making 12 cupcakes. 

5. Bake at 325 for 22-25 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting and enjoying. 

***OPTIONAL: 

For skinny peanut butter frosting, combine PB2 and water per directions on container and spread evenly on top of brownies!

Skinny Chicken Pot Pie

As the weather gets colder, I always find myself starting to crave more comfort food. Most of the typical comfort food we crave during the colder months is packed with unnecessary fat and calories. Here's my take on a popular classic. My version is packed with flavor, without all the calories. I hope you guys like it!

Skinny Chicken Pot Pie 

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 

1 cup russet potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped 

3/4 cup frozen peas

3/4 cup frozen corn

1/2 container (2 cups) chicken broth

1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1 package puff pastry shells

Directions:

1. In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and chicken. Cook on medium heat until chicken has browned on all sides, stirring frequently. 

2. Add veggies, broth, and garlic and stir until well combined. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes or until veggies are tender, stirring every few minutes. 

3. While filling is cooking, bake puff pastry shells according to directions. Remove from oven and set aside. 

4. When veggies are tender, gradually add flour to filling mixture until desired consistency is obtained. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

5. Remove tops of puff pastry shells and transfer to bowls or plates. Spoon 1/4 of filling mixture over each puff pastry shell and enjoy!