Spinach Mushroom Lasagna

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
• 1 1/4 tablespoons salt
• 15 no-boil lasagna noodles, rippled style

• 2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed in microwave
• 1 lb mushroom, cleaned and sliced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, divided and softened
• 3 3/4 cups part-skim or whole milk mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

1. 1

   Saute garlic over medium-high heat in 2 tablespoons oil until garlic starts to sizzle. Add tomatoes and enough water to make a sauce that's neither thin or gloppy. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 10 minutes (makes a generous 3 cups) Time saver: Use 1 25 to 26 ounce good-quality marinara sauce.

2. 2

   Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position; preheat oven to 400°F.

3. 3

   Dissolve salt in 2 quarts of hot tap water in a 9 x 13 inches lasagna dish. Add noodles; soak until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and arrange noodles in a single layer on baking tray.

4. 4

   Squeeze dry the thawed spinach in a colander. Set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12 inches skillet over medium-high heat. Saute mushrooms, preferably baby bella, until tender and well-browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add spinach, stir, then remove from heat. Stir in basil, 8 ounces cream cheese, and 1/4 cup broth.

5. 5

   Smear 1/4 cup marinara over the bottom of the baking dish, then make four layers in the following orderL three lasagna noodles, 3/4 cup marinara, a scant cup of vegetable filling, 3/4 cup mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesean. Top it all off with the last three noodles, the cream cheese mixture, 3/4 cup mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesean. Spray foil with cooking spray; cover pan.

6. 6

   Bake until bubbly throughout, about 40 to 45 minutes. Leaving lasagna on same rack, turn oven to broil. Remove foil and broil until top is spotty brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from oven; let sit for 10 minutes. Cut into squares and.