Note: This recipe is for people following a vegetarian (meat-free) diet. However, this recipe may include ingredients such as dairy or other animal-based products that may not fit in with vegan or some other vegetarian diets.

This recipe may take a bit of time to cook, but it's well worth it. The calories are significantly reduced because zucchini and squash are used in this recipe instead of pasta.

Prep time: 80 minutes

Ingredients:

1 lb. zucchini
1 lb. squash
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 c. tomato pasta sauce
16 oz. low-fat cottage cheese
2 egg yolks
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese
2/3 c. seasoned bread crumbs
2 c. mozzarella, part-skim
3 c. spinach
1 c. fresh basil
nonstick cooking spray

Utensils:

• knife (You'll need help from your adult assistant.)
• measuring cup
• measuring spoons
• stove (You'll need help from your adult assistant.)
• two 15 x 10 x 1 inch baking pan
• 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan
• large skillet (You'll need help from your adult assistant.)
• food processor (You'll need help from your adult assistant.)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 degrees Celsius).
2. Coat two baking pans with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Cut all squash and zucchini lengthwise in half. Then, cut each half lengthwise into slices about 1/4 inch thick.
4. Spread squash and zucchini on pans in single layer and season with Italian seasoning.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, turning over once halfway through baking.
6. Remove from oven and set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
7. In a large skillet, heat pasta sauce over medium-high heat. Mix trimmed spinach into the pasta sauce.
8. In a food processor, combine cottage cheese, basil, egg yolks, and 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Blend until all ingredients are combined and smooth.
9. Assembly: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of bread crumbs over the bottom of a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan. Cover the bottom of the dish with half of the zucchini and squash slices. Next, spread cottage cheese mixture over the squash and zucchini slices. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs. Top with remaining zucchini slices. Sprinkle with the remaining 3 tablespoons of bread crumbs. Pour pasta sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.
10. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for approximately 35 minutes. Cheese should be browned and bubbling. Let stand for 10 to 25 minutes before serving.

Serves: 10

Serving size: 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches

Nutritional analysis (per serving):

200 calories
16 g protein
7 g fat
3 g sat. fat
18 g carbohydrate
3 g fiber
792 mg sodium
263 mg calcium
2 mg iron

Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Variations and suggestions:

Add other vegetables to the sauce, such as onions and red pepper. Have it for dinner tonight and freeze the leftovers for another night.

Reviewed by: Allison Brinkley, RD, CNSD
Date reviewed: June 2004

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