Spinach Beef "Lasagna"

This was one of the first casserole type dishes that I tried. It is a spinach beef bake that is layered like lasagna. It got rave reviews from my whole family, and my boyfriend even went back for seconds! My younger brother, who's usually very picky, liked it. So I'd say it's a winner. The recipe is originally from the book "Low Carb-ing among Friends: Volume 2".

*Picture from Linda's Low Carb Menus and Recipes

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons onion, chopped
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
8 ounces cream cheese
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon pepper
10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded or "fresh"
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, fresh shredded or canister grated.

Directions:
Brown the hamburger with the onion. Mix in the garlic powder and spaghetti sauce; season to taste and heat until bubbly. Meanwhile, soften the cream cheese in a medium-size microwaveable bowl for about 40-60 seconds. Stir until creamy; beat in the egg and pepper with a spoon until well mixed. Blend in the spinach. Spread half of the meat mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased, 8 x 8" glass baking pan. Spread the spinach mixture over the meat; top with the mozzarella, then the rest of the meat. It may not completely cover the top, but that's ok. Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350º F (~175 C) about 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Microwave:
Cover with plastic wrap and vent one corner then microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes; then reduce to MEDIUM (half power) and cook for another 7-10 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

Notes: If you don't have some extra bit of onion lying around or just don't want to use fresh, a bit of onion powder will do. I used fresher mozzarella, the kind that comes in a ball and is very moist. If you can get it, it's delicious.

This dish is fairly easy; the part that takes the longest is the layering. It tasted amazing and reheats very well. I know there is a bit of spaghetti sauce, but split between a family it isn't many carbs per serving.

Nutritional Info:

Per 1/6 Recipe:
368 Calories; 28g Fat; 23g Protein; 5.5g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 3.5g Net Carbs

Per 1/8 Recipe:
276 Calories; 21g Fat; 17g Protein; 4g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 3g Net Carbs

Per 1/9 Recipe:
245 Calories; 19g Fat; 15g Protein; 3.5g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 2.5g Net Carbs