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+ servings

Cheesy Marinara Veggie Stacks

Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, vegetarian
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 stacks

Ingredients
  

  • 1 medium eggplant ends removed
  • 2 small zucchinis
  • 1 small yellow squash
  • 1 cup jarred marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup spinach canned or frozen, drained and thoroughly patted dry
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 3 tbsp fresh chopped basil or substitute dried
  • 1 tsp dried minced onion
  • dash salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Slice eggplant in half lengthwise. Cut each half lengthwise into 3 slices. Cut off rounded sides of the 2 outer slices so they lay flat.
  • Cut zucchini & squash into 1/2-inch wide slices.
  • Set out a few layers of paper towels (to use to transfer cooked veggies to drain excess moisture)
  • Spray a large pan with nonstick spray and bring to medium-high heat on stove.
  • Lay zucchini & squash flat in pan and cook for 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on paper towels.
  • Re-spray pan & cook eggplant slices for 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on paper towels.
  • In a small dish, combine spinach, ricotta, basil, minced onion, salt, & garlic powder. Stir well, set aside.
  • Spray a deep oven-safe pan with nonstick spray. Place half of the marinara in the center of the pan, and place 2 eggplant slices side by side over the sauce.
  • Spread about 1/4 of the spinach mixture on top of each slice. Then layer about 1/4 of the zucchini and squash slices on top of each stack. Over the veggie layer, add another eggplant slice.
  • Spread the rest of the spinach mixture on top of the stacks. Layer remaining zucchini and squash slices.
  • Cover stacks with remaining eggplant slices. Finish it off with the rest of the marinara, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
  • Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of each stack, and return to oven for 5 more minutes, or until cheese melts. Enjoy!
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