First, the old vs. new pictures:
That first picture, seriously? I posted that? GROSS! Tonight’s dinner looked MUCH better, and if I say so myself, TASTED much better! It’s very odd (or not) but when the weather gets nice out, all I want are vegetables. LOTS of vegetables. So many vegetables that I’m making myself a pot of ratatouille just to “have around” this week! Ok, ok I’ll get to the recipe… I know its why you all come here anyway!
Vegetarian Not-Sagna
Ingredients
1 box frozen spinach thawed and drained
1 container (15 oz.) fat free ricotta cheese
14 oz. Smart Taste pasta (or other whole-grain pasta)
1 32-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 large tomato, diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed (or more to taste)
1/2 tsp. dried basil or a good handful fresh, chopped
2 tsp. olive oil
3 cups water
2 c. reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, divided
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese
Directions
Heat the oil and garlic in a large oven-safe skillet (or range-safe casserole). Add chopped tomatoes and cook gently until they start to break down. Then, add the crushed tomatoes and basil and stir well. Add the DRY pasta, and water, lower the heat and cook, covered until pasta is tender. While the pasta is cooking, mix together the ricotta, 1/2 of the mozzarella, and the spinach. Drop in dollops over the top of the cooked pasta, like so:
Gently stir the spinach mixture into the noodles, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Place the pan under the broiler for about 5 minutes to melt and brown the cheese, then serve! Makes 8 servings, unofficially 6 Points a piece.
I was originally inspired by the lovely Roni over at Green Lite Bites to make a “pasta pie” type dinner this week after her amazing pasta pie she posted last week. Unfortunately, we don’t have a springform pan, nor could I find the right shape of pasta to make HER pasta pie… but thank you for the inspiration, Roni (in more ways than one!) This is something that will be in the rotation for a while! It was easy AND delicious AND healthy!
You may be wondering if I’m having a guest for dinner tonight… and the answer is a resounding YES! The fantastic blogger, Foodie McBody contacted me with her guest dinner last week, and I’m very excited to have her at my “table” tonight! If you haven’t read her blog, you must do so A.S.A.P. She is seriously fantastic! So, Ms. Foodie, pull up a chair to my table and tell us about your meal!
Dinner was easy tonight. It was super hot out. This is our classic salmon recipe, using these 3 key ingredients. It combines to make an awesome flavor combo of sweet, salty, spicy, creamy and crunchy. YUM.
- Slather the salmon with the teriyaki sauce. Then slather with mayo. Sprinkle with the furikake (if anybody wants some, tell me and I’ll send you some from our local Asian market).
- Cut up asparagus, mushrooms and shallots. Mix with olive oil and salt/pepper. Put in the grill basket.
- Grill until veggies and fish are done! Voila!!
Key ingredients: Yoshida’s “original Gourmet” aka Teriyaki Sauce, Nori Furikake (black and white sesame seeds, dried seaweed flakes and salt), and TJ’s Wasabi Mayo
Slather teriyaki sauce, then wasabi mayo on salmon, then sprinkle with furikake (optional)
Cut up asparagus, portobello mushrooms and shallots, mix with olive oil & salt/pepper
veggie grill baskets are awesome
finished veggies & finished salmon (the skin burnt a bit)
Thanks Foodie!!! That looks fantastic and SO Summery!! Thanks for joining me for dinner!
Do you want to have dinner with me? Just send me your dinner description with a photo to mara@imadedinner.net and I’ll have you at my table!
Time for more Turtle Mountain coconut milk ice cream and strawberries… I’ll probably be asleep by 9 tonight. It’s been a LONG day! Before I go, please make sure you check out Sweetie Pie’s 100th post giveaway!!










{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks GREAT, FmB! & Im a pickyplain eater as well
loved seeing two of my fave people together…
MizFit´s last blog post..Sets & Repetions: concepts defined (video post).
i like the creative name of “not-sagna”
Pearl´s last blog post..Almond Brittle
AWESOME!
and on a side note.. I totally want to grill fish now!
Roni´s last blog post..Homemade Almond Milk Take 1
that looks great! I don’t think I’ve tried the not-sagna yet, but I need to.
brandi´s last blog post..Target Takes up Too Much Time
The pasta looks yummy and healthy! I have been meaning to use the ricotta cheese in my fridge, so I must make something similar! !
Jessica´s last blog post..Once popped, I can’t stop!
It’s too bad I don’t like tomato sauce, because that looks super fantastic
Marianne´s last blog post..The Ghost In The Car
I like this not-sagna, including this cool name!!!
coco´s last blog post..A hot Sunday! ~~ ^_^
Both look REALLY good. Hmm, pasta AND salmon — two of my favorites! Thanks for sharing gals & great to see FoodieMcBody at the dinner table tonight
Dinneen (Eat Without Guilt)´s last blog post..Should You Hold on to Your Skinny Jeans?
Those veggies and salmon look amazing! I need a new grill. Pronto!
Sweet Serendipity´s last blog post..Quotable Sunday
Both meals look great! I’m always looking for new salmon recipes as it’s the only fish hubby actually likes…
Yeah I gotta admit, new pic beats old pic hands down! HAHA
Hope you enjoyed your ice cream and are currently getting a good nights sleep!!
Melissa´s last blog post..My Eats From Saturday & Sunday…
I wish I could send you some of my vegetables. I have a TON, probably more than I can eat right now thanks to my awesome CSA.
The cheese unfortunately makes the not-sagna a no-go for moi, but I must say that salmon looks pretty amazing as I LOVE salmon and wasabi!
Hallie´s last blog post..Mom’s Ravioli Review and a Confession
Hi Mara! The Not-Sagna looks soooo good. I love that it’s vegetarian but still cheesy and delicious looking. You do such a nice job of making food look GOOD!
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog post..I Need Endorphins
wow! that lasagna looks really wonderful and satisfying, I don’t even think I’ll miss the meat!
the salmon dinner looks awesome as well, and I loved that she used WASABI MAYO!!
Sophia´s last blog post..I love to LOL!!
GREAT meal!!!
PS…the almonds are gone…..;)
Krista´s last blog post..BSI: Almonds, a MEME and Treats!
The Not-Sagna looks great — and a good way to sneak in some veggies!
I actually have some furikake somewhere, this is a great way to try it out!
Spiceaholic´s last blog post..Red Enchilada Chicken
I’m craving comfort food right now and your pasta dish looks to like it would hit the spot!
Danielle´s last blog post..Back to Business
That Not-sagna sounds amazing! Too bad I am trying to avoid pasta for now
Runeatrepeat´s last blog post..Crap Free Week
Ooooh, I am def going to try this not-sagna. I love how reading about other people’s cooking inspires us to create our own variations and incorporate our own styles and preferences.
I hear you about the food pictures. The pictures for my last cookie post (thanks for the comment, btw!) were a bit sucky. Your new not-sagna one is pristine though…and I am ready to eat it off the page.
jennk/cinnamonquill´s last blog post..A David Leite Cookie Timeline
Once again, looks soooo good. The second pic is much better, and I think the spinach in it sounds great!
Quix´s last blog post..I Slept In Today and I’m NOT Apologizing For It…
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