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Expert Tip

Don't automatically assume the "low fat" or "lite" version of a particular product will have a higher NuVal Score. In some instances, these so-called "better" products have less fiber or more sugar and are actually less nutritious overall.

Nutrition By The Numbers

Test your knowledge.

Trade Up with NuVal™ Scores for a More Nutritious Recipe!

 

 Learn how you can make your meals even more nutritious by using foods with higher NuVal™ scores.  Take a look at this healthier twist on a classic lasagna recipe from AllRecipes.com.


 
Original Lasagna Recipe:


 
Ingredients:

 

• 9 lasagna noodles - Prince Simply Perfect Pasta Lasagna Enriched Macaroni - 57
• 1 tablespoon olive oil - Newman’s Own Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 11
• 1 pound ground beef -  30% Fat 70% Lean Ground Beef - 24
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage -  Full Circle Sweet Italian Sausage - 8
• 1 (16 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained -  Green Giant  Sliced Mushrooms - 42
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 4 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce – Contadina Regular Tomato Sauce - 37
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese -  Crystal Farms Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese - 23
• 3 eggs, beaten – Regular Eggs - 33
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese -  Pastene Shelf Stable Parmesan Shredded - 17
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese - Kraft Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese -  18


Trade Up with NuVal™ Version:
 
• 9 lasagna noodles -  Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Lasagna - 91
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil - Benissimo Olive Oil Extra Virgin Sicilian - 24
• 1 pound ground beef -  10% fat 90% Lean Ground Beef -  30
• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage -  Gianelli Sweet Italian Sausage -  23
• 1 (16 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained – Kroger Sliced Mushrooms - 47
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 4 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce -  Pastene All Natural Tomato Sauce -  81
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese lowfat – Price Chopper Fat Free Ricotta Cheese - 35
• 3 eggs, beaten – Land O Lakes Omega 3 Eggs 40
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese – Kraft Italian Three Cheeses Natural Shredded Reduced Fat - 23
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese – Mozzarella Fresca Marinated Fresh Mozzarella - 25

Directions:


1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).


2.Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and olive oil; cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.


3.Cook the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium heat; drain. Stir in the mushrooms, garlic salt, oregano, thyme, basil, and tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper; simmer 30 minutes.


4.Meanwhile, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.


5.Ladle enough of the meat sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish to cover the bottom in a thin layer. Form a layer atop the sauce with 3 of the lasagna noodles. Spread about 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture and then ladle about 1/3 of the meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering twice more, topping with the remaining 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese.


6.Bake in preheated oven 90 minutes. Allow to sit 10 to 15 minutes before serving

 

 

By "trading up" to whole wheat lasagna, 90% lean ground beef, omega 3 eggs, a high scoring tomato sauce, and reduced fat cheese, you're trading up by nearly 150 points! Check back often for more Trading Up with NuVal™ recipes.