Foodie Fridays - Florentine Lasagna Roll-ups

Happy Valentine's Day my lovelies!  I thought I would share something a little fancy, a little special that you could make for your valentine this weekend.  I promise it's simple, just takes a little bit of time.

I made these a few weekends ago and just threw together my own recipe after seeing pictures of them online.  This makes not only a yummy, easy to customize meal, but is also great for portion control.  Just one roll was enough to fill me up, though my husband easily ate two,  I served this with a Caesar salad and crusty garlic bread.  It was definitely something different and the left overs warmed up beautifully.  I hope you enjoy and if you make it please let me know what you think.  I'm always looking for ways to improve my recipes.

Florentine Lasagna Roll-ups

16 ounce container of low fat cottage cheese or ricotta 
1 egg
1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
10 ounce container frozen chopped spinach 
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders
1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 to 3 finely minced garlic cloves (about a teaspoon)
1 package of Alfredo sauce mix or jarred Alfredo Sauce
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
small box lasagna noodles (about 12 to 15 noodles)

Put on a large pot of salted water to boil for cooking your lasagna noodles.  While the water heats cook the frozen spinach per package directions.  When it finishes cooking drain and then press between paper towels to remove excess moisture, set aside and let cool.  

Dice the onion, mushrooms, and garlic and set aside.  Dice the chicken and set aside.  

Heat a saute pan over medium heat with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and cook the chicken until done and no pink remains.  Remove from the pan and set aside.  In the same hot pan, add more olive oil if needed and saute the onions until translucent then add the mushrooms and garlic and cook for three to five minutes or until the mushrooms are done.  

Now, if using the alfredo sauce mix put the amount of butter required on the package in the pan with the mushrooms and onion and let melt.  While the butter is melting whisk together the amount of milk the package calls for plus a half a cup and the dry mixture.  Turn down the heat and add the alfredo and milk mixture.  Follow the directions on the package, usually it says to bring to a simmer and then cook for several minutes.  Once you bring it to a simmer add the chicken back to the pan and simmer on very low heat.  Season with salt and pepper.  (If using jarred alfredo sauce, open jar, pour, simmer on low.  I don't use jarred alfredo sauce as I find it too thick and I always end up thinning it with a little milk.  But, if you have an alfredo sauce you looovveee please use that.)

Your big boiler of water should be boiling by now, add the lasagna noodles and cook until right before they are done, usually around 7 minutes.  You want the noodles to have just a little bite to them.  This makes them easier to handle and they will finish cooking in the oven.  Drain and drizzle with a little olive oil to keep them from sticking.  

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 

While your lasagna noodles cool, let's make the filling.  In a small bowl combine the cottage cheese/ricotta, egg, Parmesan cheese, and cooked spinach.  Take a 9x13 pan, spray with nonstick spray, and let's start building the lasagna rolls.    

Lay out a lasagna noodle flat, I use a clean cutting board, spread a tablespoon to two tablespoons of filling down the middle, roll up, and place seam side down in your pan.  Continue until you are out of filling and/or noodles.  When you have all your lasagna rolls completed take your pan of sauce that been hanging out on the stove staying warm and pour the whole business over the top of the rolls.  Sprinkle all this with the mozzarella cheese and then bake 20 to 30 minutes until everything is hot and bubbly, the cheese is melted, and slightly browned on top.  

I hope you enjoy this and again please let me know if you make it.  Happy Valentine's Day to you and your sweetie and if you're by yourself this year.....

Know that you have friends and family that love ya and go hit them up for dinner.  :) 

Happy Friday everyone!