Spinach Roll-ups

With summer quickly approaching, and Terry and I not only getting ready for our summer bods, we are getting ready for our races coming up. We've cut back to eating out to once a week (usually it was three times a week) and I've only been cooking healthier meals. We've loved watching how much money we save and that it is enough to send us to Seattle in a month! Although we are attempting our healthier eating we still love our carbs! Tuesday nights we usually go to his parents house and watch "The Voice" with them, this week he called me after work asking if I would make dinner for his parents as well because we wanted them to try my spinach rollups. I happily agreed and told him what to pick up on his way home.

 1 lb. Lasagna noodles

 1 15 oz. Ricotta 

1 cup Shredded Mozzarella

 1/4 cup Grated Parmesan

 1 lg. Egg 

10 oz. Frozen Spinach

 2.5 cups Marinara Sauce 

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Cooking Spray as needed 

 Step 1: Get a large pot of water boiling, when it comes to a full boil add the lasagna noodles. Cook the noodles until they are soft but not soggy (12-15 minutes is perfectt). When they are finished cooking drain in a colander.

< Step 2: While the noodles are boiling, prepare the filling. Thaw the package of frozen spinach in the microwave and then squeeze out as much excess water as possible. In a bowl combine the spinach, ricotta, mozzarella, armesean, egg, about 1/4 tsp. of salt and then I added freshly grated pepper and mix until well combined.

Step 3: Clean a surface, prepare a glass pan with non stick cooking spray, and preheat the oven to 400. Step 4: On the clean surface lay out a few noodles. Place a few spoonfulls of filling on each noodle and spread around to make sure the filling reaches all the edges of the noodle. Don't worry about making it to thick. br>

< Step 5: Roll the noodles up and place in the prepared glass pan. Repeat until all of your filling is gone. (You may have a few extra noodles but use them as back up in case any of them rip) Pour the marinara sauce ove the rolled noodles. It will keep the noodles hydrated and soft while baking so make sure to cover all surfaces. br>

< Step 6: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. br>

As easy as this is I was still nervous cooking for his parents for the first time, but they LOVED it! Terry and his dad were fighting over the last ones because they loved them! We had some salad and garlic bread (we can't resist) to go with it! His mom text me for the recipe the next day, thanked me for finally getting Terry to eat some greens and how she no longer has to worry about her future grandchildren because she knows they will be fully nourished! It's a favorite for us and super easy AND cheap! ENJOY!