MEXICAN-STYLE LASAGNE

A lasagne with a difference!

8 entrée servings

Chili-Tomato Sauce (recipe follows)

12 lasagne noodles (10 ounces), cooked

2 cups (8 ounces) each: fat-free ricotta cheese, shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

1 can (15 ounces) each: pinto beans, black beans, drained

1. Spread 1 cup sauce on bottom of a 13 × 9-inch baking pan; top with 4 lasagne noodles, overlapping slightly. Spoon ⅓ of the combined cheeses over noodles, spreading lightly with rubber spatula; top with ⅓ of the combined beans and 1⅓ cups Chili-Tomato Sauce. Repeat layers 2 times. Bake at 350 degrees, loosely covered, until hot and bubbly, about 1 hour. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Chili-Tomato Sauce

Makes about 5 cups

2 cups chopped onions

2–3 teaspoons each: minced garlic, jalapeño chili

2 cans (14½ ounces each) low-sodium stewed tomatoes

2 cans (8 ounces each) low-sodium tomato sauce

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

Salt, to taste

1. Sauté onions, garlic, and jalapeño chili in lightly greased large skillet until onions are tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients, except salt; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until sauce is reduced to 5 cups, about 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Per Serving:

Calories: 360

% of calories from fat: 18

Fat (gm): 8

Saturated fat (gm): 3.1

Cholesterol (mg): 26.3

Sodium (mg): 748

Protein (gm): 30.7

Carbohydrate (gm): 51

Exchanges:

Milk: 0.0

Vegetable: 3.0

Fruit: 0.0

Bread: 2.0

Meat: 2.5

Fat: 0.5