Makes 8 Servings

What’s your family’s New Year’s resolution? If you’ve decided to eat a healthier diet – you know, packed with whole grains, lean meats and seafood, beans, and fruits and veggies, and fewer take-out meals and prepared foods – then you’re going to love this Meal Makeover Moms recipe for Mexican Lasagna. Made with lean ground beef, lots of beans, carrots, and corn, it’s a hearty meal that everyone is sure to gobble up. For a vegetarian option, use a 12-ounce package of meat-free crumbles.

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean or higher)
1 large carrot, shredded (about 1 cup)
One 16-ounce jar salsa
One 15 ½-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
One 10-ounce bag or box frozen corn kernels, thawed (about 2 cups)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Five 8-inch flour tortillas, cut in half
One 16-ounce container lowfat cottage cheese
1 ½ cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1. Cook the meat and carrot in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking up the large pieces, until the meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.

2. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

3. Add the salsa, black beans, corn, chili powder, and cumin to the skillet and stir to combine.

4. To assemble the lasagna, arrange a third (about 2 cups) of the meat mixture in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or dish. Layer half the tortillas over the meat, allowing them to overlap. Spoon half of the cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese over the tortillas and spread evenly.

5. Place 2 more cups of meat mixture over the cottage cheese. Layer with the remaining tortillas and cottage cheese. End with the meat mixture.

6. Top with the remaining Cheddar cheese and bake uncovered until the cheese melts and the lasagna is heated through, about 25 minutes.

Nutritional Information per Serving: 340 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated), 880mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, 30g protein, 60% vitamin A, 20% vitamin C, 20% calcium, 20% iron

Janice Newell Bissex, MS, RD and Liz Weiss, MS, RD are The Meal Makeover Moms, and together, they’re on a mission to help busy families eat better. For more recipes, check out their blog, Meal Makeover Moms’ Kitchen or listen to their weekly podcast, Cooking with the Moms.

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