Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

Some weeks I feel like Martha Stewart and am on top of the world.
The house is deep cleaned and organized, meal plans are fully prepped and perfectly balance, my life feels in order, and I have a perfect manicure that is color coordinated to my outfit (jk... who has time for that?).

And then there are weeks like basically the last 6 months where I am lucky if I don't have to re-fluff our laundry in the dryer for the 4th day in a row, as I am scrounging to make a meal out of string cheese and a cup of applesauce because our pantry has been neglected.

Can anyone relate to my hot mess express?
Please say yes.

So over time I've started to learn how to find the right amount of balance. I figured out how cleaning one area of our house a day means I get to avoid the 4 hour marathon cleaning on a Saturday morning. How when I schedule workouts in my planner, I am able to make it to the gym and manage my stress better. And how meal planning once a week saves me so much time finding healthy meals to fuel the busy days ahead.

And this is where the peanut butter chocolate chip energy bites enter.

Is life-changing an appropriate description for a snack?

I discovered these gems while reading Gimme Some Oven, one of my favorite cooking blogs, and decided to tinker with the recipe a bit so they wouldn't be as high in calories. With the taste of cookie-like goodness disguised in nutrient dense miniature bites is a total home run!

I was working with a nutritionist when I first showed her the recipe, and she loved the combo of a touch of protein in the protein, chia and oats to provide fiber, omega 3's from the flax, and a little sweetness from honey instead of processed sugar. The best part if you can keep tinkering with them to sub out ingredients and change them up a bit.

Each Sunday, I prep these little no bake energy balls when I do the rest of my meal prep. It takes no longer than 5 minutes to stir everything together, and then I let the mixture chill for 20 before rolling into balls. And then voila! Easy, delicious snacks to give a boost of energy before the gym or in the middle of a busy work day. Adam loves having one after dinner as a little sweet treat (goodbye huge bowls of ice cream!). I also love to make these when we bring meals to friends - and they loved them! Especially great for new breastfeeding moms!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup dry oats 
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 
1/3 cup honey (you can get by with less if you want lower sugar!)
1 tablespoon chia seeds 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until well combined. Cover your bowl with saran wrap and place in fridge to chill for 20-30 minutes, or until mixture is firm enough to roll into balls.
2. Once chilled, roll into compact balls. You can make them into any size you'd like - mine are typically about 3/4 - 1" in diameter). Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
3. Makes about 20-25 energy balls.

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Bon Appetit!

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5 Hacks for Healthy Meals at Home

Yup.
I know the second you read that post title you thought, "Sweet heavens, YES! I love anything that makes the dreaded meal planning routine easier!".

I'm right there with ya, sister!
Let's face it, we are simply busy power women trying to save the world one completed work presentation or diaper change at a time, right? We barely have time to shave our legs, let alone spend hours on planning healthy meals.

And that my friends is why I have recruited my favorite health guru friend, Mariah from Elevate Mobile Fitness, to offer some quick meal hacks for us! 

{original photo}

So, say goodbye to frantically driving through Chick-fil-a last minute and hello to delicious, easy, healthy meals in a snap (and freshly shaven legs due to all the time we just acquired!). May without further delay, I will re-introduce my good friend, nutrition-lover, and trainer, Mariah!

Take it away, lady!

I just moved into a new home after looking at probably 30 houses over the last few months (Whew!). My realtor told us that the single biggest resale factor, when it comes to home improvement projects, is in the kitchen. As in, how many upgrades it has.

And while, yes, I do plan to refinish my cabinets one day, I think that’s kind of interesting that we Americans place such a high value on the appearance of our kitchens when research shows that we’re cooking less than ever.

According to the Washington Post, middle-class Americans now eat at home only 69% of the time as opposed to 92% of the time in the 1960’s. But what’s even more surprising is that out of those meals we do eat at home, only 60% of them are actually cooked at home!

(That’s a LOT of take-out, folks!) ;-)

While I get it that we’re busy, and that not everyone’s into cooking, there is a definite correlation between cooking and healthier eating. And the fact that two-thirds of us hit the drive-through at least once a week is a great example! (Source: http://time.com/3483888/the-truth-about-home-cooking/)

Lucky for you, though, cooking no longer has to take the amount of time that it did in our grandmother’s era (Plus we’re no longer expected to wear high-heels with our aprons!). Here are my Top 5 favorite hacks for preparing healthy meals more often and with less stress:

1) Plan Ahead

That dreaded question—“what’s for dinner?—typically fills us with angst precisely because we haven’t planned ahead. Trust me on this one—if you don’t plan out your meals several days at a time, you’ll be a LOT less likely to spend any time in the kitchen. There are tons of online planning tools to help you with this. (I’m going to give you some specific tools in my exclusive giveaway, which I mention below, so keep reading!) ;-) I love using a chalkboard to list out your weekly menu! Here’s a sample of my own menu board I made with an oversized frame and some chalkboard paint:

2) Keep It Simple
So you gotta plan ahead. But here’s the thing: you don’t need a library of 100 recipes at the ready. Weirdly enough, studies show that the people who stay in shape most consistently actually have relatively low variety in their diet. This surprised me a little when I learned it. But it does make sense on some level—the simpler your routine, the less you have to think about it. 

My suggestion is to decide how many weeks’ worth minimum of recipes you care to have before you can stand to repeat a meal. For me, I keep about 2 weeks’ worth of recipes on a constant rotation, and then change it all up again with the season. (This winter I tried repeating only a week’s worth of recipes for a few months…we did okay but then we admittedly needed a break from all those dishes for awhile!)

3) Get Organized
My favorite tool for saying organized is Trello. I use Trello boards for my business, to-do lists, and for meal-planning. What I REALLY love about using Trello for meal-planning, is that on each card (like a virtual sticky note), you can attach a checklist. So I’ll put a meal idea on a single card, list the URL to the recipe (or the page number of the cookbook) in the description, and then drop in a shopping list of the ingredients needed for that dish. You can even copy that shopping list into a master list for your weekly master shopping list!

4) Outsource Groceries 
This may be the one that makes you go, “Whoa! I’m not that fancy.” But promise you’ll hear me out, okay? Just like studies show that those who eat at home automatically eat healthier (even if they’re not trying), research also shows some pretty startling numbers around the steep hike we pay per meal for either take-out or dine-in restaurants. 

So I say if you’re spending money for take-out at least once a week, you have the cash to hire a high-school or college student to pick up your (healthy) groceries for you once a week. I guarantee you’ll save more than the $20 you pay them—not only from fewer trips to your local Chinese place, but also from all the silly extra’s you would get distracted by if you went to the grocery yourself. (I swear, every time I go to Whole Foods for “just” a salad, I walk away having spent at least $60.)

Like the outsourcing idea but still aren’t sold on having someone do your grocery runs? Subscribe to a local organic produce delivery service, or try a service like Plated or Hello Fresh to order just the pre-measured ingredients you need for your upcoming meals…and let them help with the recipe planning while you’re at it!

{Photos: Hello Fresh and Plated}

5) Make It a Ritual, Not a Chore
Instead of viewing dinner prep as just one more thing on your list, make it an enjoyable time you look forward to. I like to listen to a “Spanish Guitar” channel on Pandora while I cook, enjoying the company of my dogs who are underfoot hoping I’ll drop something good. For me, it signals shutting down my workday (or at least taking a well-deserved break), chatting with my husband, and taking care of our bodies with healthy fuel. Light some candles. Pour a small glass of wine. And fall in love with cooking again after all!

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Okay, folks, those are my Top 5. Sorry this is a little long, but there’s so much I want to share I couldn’t even fit it all in here! But I want to leave you with something extra-special. I launched a limited-time Custom Nutrition Inventory service this summer, which takes enrollees through 8 weeks of personalized tweaks to their existing nutrition habits. It’s so fun! As a part of that program, my clients receive special bonuses like the Elevate Guide to Happy Hour, and the Elevate Guide to Meal-Planning Shortcuts.

Well, guess what! Just for Life of Meg readers, I’m giving you exclusive free access to the Elevate Guide to Meal-Planning Shortcuts, which is a list of resources and planning tools I recommend to get the ball rolling with healthy cooking when you’re in a hurry. I hope you love it! Oh, and shh…you may or may not be able to find the Elevate Guide to Happy Hour somewhere on my website. Just sayin’!  

So grab your Guide to Meal-Planning Shortcuts below! and a huge thank-you for reading this, to Meg for inviting me into her digital space, and to Nicole at Cedar & Rush for the special photo touches!

I want easier meal prep! 


 

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Fit Bod, Fun Life Series Week 3: Setting Limits Around Food

Top o' the mornin' to ya!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, lads and lassies!

If you're just now tuning in to the Fit Bod, Fun Life series, don't you worry! My healthy living guru friend, Mariah Secrest-Comer has some great real life inspiration for you today that is simple, forgiving, and attainable. This series has been such a breath of fresh air and motivation, and I hope it encourages you to be a healthier you! Today is exactly the message I need to hear and it even comes with a healthy eating lunch guide - win win!

Luckily for you, Mariah  is a certified personal trainer and a healthy living enthusiast. She definitely practices what she preaches! This girl will get you moving and eating healthier in a way that is uplifting and not overwhelming, so here is her challenge for us this week...

Fit Bod, Fun Life SeriesWeek 3: 

Setting Limits Around Food

Last night for dinner I had a veggie burger with the works (including an extra side of cheese sauce), green chili chipotle fries, and a couple pours of a great red wine.  

Okay, if you’re waiting for me to say, “Pysch!”, well, I’m sorry to disappoint. I really did! And if you’re wondering why I’m not hiding in a corner trying to keep you from finding out—then that’s exactly what I want to talk to you about today. Even more than exercise habits, food choices are almost instantly classified into categories that carry an almost moral connotation to them. Think about the way we describe food choices:

“No dessert. I’m trying to be good with that upcoming event around the corner."

“I was bad last night, so it’s a salad today for me.”  

“This chocolate cake is sinfully delicious.”

“It’s so bad, but it’s so good!”

But at its core, food is morally neutral. We have to eat to sustain life. Food has the capacity to bring immense pleasure. And believe it or not, the reason food brings pleasure is actually a pretty sophisticated process designed to help us stay healthy. (For more on this, check out my post "Why You’re Wired for Stress Eating”.

And here’s the real deal: 
People who have entirely black-and-white views of food tend to struggle the most with poor food choices over time.

Now, OBVIOUSLY what we put into our body has a tremendous impact on not only our weight and body composition, but also on a huge range of health factors (including disease risk, mood, complexion, liver function, toxicity, metabolism, hormone regulation, etc.)

I’ve found the best approach to long-term weight-loss results—as well as having a positive, healthy body image—is to put limits around unhealthy food. But the very word “limit” implies that there is some presence of something.

Aim to limit unhealthy foods, not eliminate them.

Here are a couple practical tips for helping you create limits so that you enjoy a healthy relationship with food—one that’s hallmarked by confidence rather than deprivation on the one hand, or powerlessness on the other:

• Rate Your Cravings: We want to avoid mindless eating, but it’s silly to deny that sometimes we prefer, say, the taste of gooey Brie to the taste of raw carrots.  If you’re presented with a food that’s not a Perfect 10 in the nutrition department, ask yourself, “How much do I really want this?” If it’s your favorite food ever, maybe it’s worth it. But if you’re eating cookies just because they’re there, there’s no reason to waste the calories on something that doesn’t bring that much pleasure.

• Wait 15 Minutes: This trick works especially well for me when it comes to wanting seconds of something—even a healthy food—because portion control can make or break our weight-loss efforts. It takes about 15 minutes for your brain to register that it’s full after eating. Similarly, the brain can be tricked into craving food when your body is actually thirsty, or stressed, or sad. Ask yourself to wait 15 minutes, and then reevaluate if you’re either still hungry or still really craving that particular thing. Nine times out of 10, you’ll have moved on. But if you’re still obsessed…go for it!

• Set Incremental Goals: When working one-on-one with a client’s nutrition plan, I encourage him or her to set specific goals and then to stagger the implementation of those goals. If you try to change an entire decade’s worth of eating habits on a Tuesday, you’ll probably last until about Friday and then give up. Set yourself up for the momentum of success by laying out the changes you want to make, and then scheduling those changes out over time. Give each goal a date of implementation—for example, “This week I’m going to drop down to two sodas a day, and then next week I’ll drop to one.”

• Plan For Indulgences: I am not telling you never to have another fro-yo again in your life. That wouldn’t be very fun, and you’d get discouraged and give up anyway. But what I want is for you to be in control of your choices, so that eating something unhealthy doesn’t carry guilt or the feeling of a slip-up. The best way I know to do this is to set certain parameters in which it’s okay for you to eat foods with less nutritional content. For me, this is a standing weekly “anything goes” meal like last night’s fantastic feast at Zinburger. But you can create different scenarios that work for you, like “If I follow my training program this week for that 5K, I can get that Starbucks Frappuccino after work on Friday.”

When you’re making food choices, the goal is to maximize your pleasure while minimizing any detrimental health risks. Don’t waste your calories on cheap junk that doesn’t satisfy you.

DO recognize that weight-loss is a slow journey—yes, you can starve yourself and lose 5 pounds this week, but we want you to be fit and happy FOREVER. This is the formula that has worked for me over the past decade, and I can’t wait for you to put it to the test!

To help you get started on eating intentionally, I’d love to invite you to download my free Healthier Workday Lunch Guide...

Click HERE to download Lunch Guide

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In case you missed the other AWESOME installments of Fit Bod, Fun Life...

+ Week 1:  Finding Your Fitness Sweet Spot

+ Week 2: Start Moving 20 Minutes A Day

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30 Day Slimdown Challenge + Eating Plan

I don’t know about you all, but I celebrated the 4th of July holiday with a little too much indulgent food, three margaritas too many, and a belly ache. It’s so easy to do overindulge when the weekends are filled with summer BBQs, dinner parties, happy hours, and the like.

 And that has tended to be the norm ever since a few months past our honeymoon. It felt so good to let loose after our wedding that I never really honed it in on a consistent basis. I loved moving in with Adam after the wedding where I enjoyed cooking delicious meals, inviting friends over, baking up a storm, and rushing home after work every night to spend time with him.

 So all that hard work of a nightly gym regimen, eating copious salads with grilled chicken, and feeling good in my body flew right out the window.

The wake-up call for me has been three-fold… 

1//  Not feeling comfortable in my own skin (heck no, I don’t want to wear tank tops with flabby arms!)
2//  Those skinny jeans are getting a bit too snug, and I’m waiting for the button to pop off...
3//  The most unflattering photo of me ever taken of me during 4th of July weekend
(I almost didn’t recognize myself.)

{original image}

Thank goodness Adam and I were on the same page when we both discussed a little lifestyle change boot camp was majorly needed. With a Christmas trip to Hawaii planned (more details to come soon!) and my high school reunion approaching this next year, what better motivation than to start our journey together now.

We have been talking about how we want to approach this plan for a few weeks, and found something that is working out great for us so far! We are kicking it off with a 30 day challenge of following the plan with no cheating to jump start the road to healthy.

Here are the deets below to in case you are looking for good way to spark your healthy eating motivation. I will be sharing our grocery shopping list + favorite recipes next week!


Breakfast - 8AM //
- Protein
- Complex Carb
- Fruit
- Multi-vitamin

Meal examples:
- 2 eggs over easy, whole wheat english muffin (minimally processed), and berries
- 1/2 cup steel oats, 1/2 cup almond milk, blueberries, cinnamon, stevia (overnight oats)
- protein shake (no sugar), fruit


Morning Snack - 10:30 AM (if needed) //
- Protein + Fruit

Meal examples:
- string cheese & apple
- 1 oz. cashews & fruit
- cottage cheese and bing cherries
- hard boiled egg and berries


Lunch - 1 PM //
- Protein
- Complex Carb
- Vegetables

Meal examples:
- spinach salad with veggies and grilled chicken breast
- whole wheat tortilla (minimally processed), seasoned ground turkey, hummus, lettuce, cucumbers
- tilapia fillet, steamed broccoli, half sweet potato


Snack - 3:30 PM (if needed) //
- Protein, or...
- Protein + Complex Carb (if working out)

Meal examples:
- whole wheat rice cake, tablespoon almond butter, half sliced banana
- almonds & fruit
- celery sticks, hummus, turkey deli slices


Dinner - 6 PM //
- Protein
- Vegetables
- Complex Carb (if needed)
- Omega 3 Supplement

Meal examples:
- greek yogurt chicken, roasted squash & zucchini
- baked salmon, mixed steamed veggies, sweet potato or brown rice
- hummus crusted chicken, roasted garlic brussels sprouts, steamed broccoli
- mexican seasoned ground chicken, black beans, tomatoes, mixed greens, sauteed peppers and salsa (taco salad)


Evening Snack (if needed) //
- Protein, Veggies, or Fruit (in moderation)


Dailies
- water (half of your body weight = how many ounces to drink/day minimum)
- daily vitamin supplements
- exercise (minimum 30 minutes 4-5 days/week)
- no caffeine, sugar, white flour
- one drink/week at social gathering (if at all)
- no cheating!
- track food, exercise, and progress on My Fitness Pal (add me and we can do this together!)

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Believe it or not, just in 4 days I am already feeling like I have more energy, am less bloated, have better focus, successfully ate out on plan, and have conquered the few cravings for sweets and junk food. The bonus? I am down 3 pounds already - loving this. Who knew that with a healthy diet and some exercise you could feel so much better?! ;)

We both took body measurements at the start of the week so that we can compare our success with where we started. Sure, it will be great to see the number on the scale go down as my body adjusts to the new lifestyle, but losing inches and building muscle is more important to focus on. And we got brave by taking before photos - what an eye opener!.

Looking forward to feeling like myself again, and so glad I have a partner in crime along the way.
Wish us luck! :)


What helps you keep a healthy lifestyle?
Any great tips you try to stick to?


 

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Healthy Cinnamon Almond Flax Granola

I'm addicted to not working.
In fact, after weeks off for our wedding festivities, I asked Adam if I could be a stay at home wife. I'm sure you can imagine his response...

Prior to the big day, I decided to add on 3 more vacation days after our honeymoon just to relax and unwind, and good Lord Almighty, I am so thankful that I did!

After months of wedding planning taking up every ounce of free time, I was more than ready to get back into doing the things I love, but have neglected.

Working out.
Crafting.
Baking.

So I bet you can't guess what I did during my days off?

I totally hit up Pinterest for some inspiration, and boy did I find it!
First project? Making homemade, healthy granola. I used a few different recipes for ideas and then just totally went for it on my own.

It turned out amazing.

For the many following on Instagram who saw the final product photo and asked for my recipe, here you go! You seriously can't go wrong winging it either. Well, unless you fly off the deep end and add weird things like pickles and sardines.

Nevermind.
Who on earth would do that?

Okay, I've lost it. Time to shut my yapper and pass along the yumminess!

{ Healthy Cinnamon Almond Flax Granola }

Ingredients:

4 cups steel cut oatmeal
1/2 cup sliced almonds
5 tablespoons flax seed
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cinnamon
(I have a cinnamon addiction problem, so feel free to lessen to your taste!)
1/4 cup canola oil (can sub applesauce)
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup golden raisins.


Directions:

1)  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2) Combine oats, almonds, flax seed, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl.

Mmm... so good and toasty!

3) Warm oil and honey in a small saucepan over the stove, stirring frequently. Add vanilla.

4) Once the mixture has liquified, poor over the dry oat ingredients. Gently still all together until blended. Don't be afraid to use your hands to help the process!

5) Spread the granola out on a cookie sheet with edges (jelly roll pans are great!). Bake for 40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to be sure of even toasting.

6) After you remove the granola from the oven, allow to cool and then add raisins.

7) Store granola in a sealed air-tight Tupperware. It will keep for a week at room temperature, or 3 weeks in the fridge.

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I'm telling you, if you sprinkle a little granola over Greek yogurt and fresh berries, it's pure heaven.
Pure. Heaven.


Bon Appetit!

Healthy Egg, Ham & Smoked Gouda Muffins

Ever since I showed a little glimpse of these via Instagram on Saturday, I've had lots of requests for the recipe.
I have to say that I honestly was on a mission to make a warm breakfast out of fridge leftovers... and they turned out to be incredible!

Especially now that it's a new year and many of us have renewed our commitments to eating healthy, these are a delicious way to stick to your goal.

Packed with protein, these gooey, cheesy egg muffins won't cost you much in the calorie department... only 96 calories per muffin!

I made a dozen over the weekend, and ate them for a warm breakfast with some mixed berries for a filling, high-protein meal.

And the recipe would be easy to modify in case you were in the mood to add different meat/cheese!

{ Healthy Egg, Ham & Smoked Gouda Muffins }

{via}

Ingredients:

- 11 large eggs (feel free to use a dozen, your muffins may dome a little more)

- 4 smoke Gouda cheese deli slices

- 6 deli ham slices

- 1 tsp. oregano

- salt and pepper to taste

- olive oil cooking spray

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Spray muffin tin with cooking spray  

3) Crack all eggs and whisk in a medium sized bowl with a fork.

4) Slice the smoked Gouda and deli ham into very small squares (excluding Gouda rind).

5) Add cheese and meat squares and oregano to eggs and mix until distributed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour equally into each muffin cup (approx. 1/4 cup each).

6) Bake muffins for 25 minutes. Allow to cool down for 2-3 minutes... and enjoy! 

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When I made these last weekend, Adam raved about them before I even got the chance to take the first bite. The Gouda is creamy and melty, and the spices are just perfect to add a little flavor.

Who knew you could pack such a punch in a 96 calorie protein muffin?


Bon Appetit!

Hello, Sunshine!

Today's high in KC is near 85 this afternoon, and I'm dying to get outside! The first warm days of Spring are perfect to re-motivate and get back to outdoor running.

After swinging by Target over lunch, I am now the owner of another pair of running capri tights, and two dri-fit v-neck fitted workout shirts!




Also on my running wishlist?
I'm dying to stop by the custom fit running shoe store to update my kicks. May have to do that on payday... I've put many miles on my last pair and they're starting to wear. Oh darn... I guess that means I have to shop! ;)

So you'd better believe I am going home to grab Bella Beast and hit the pavement with my running jams!


What are your plans on this gorgeous sunshiney day?!

Skinny Lasagna Roll-ups

After seeing this recipe idea flying around Pinterest and some of my favorite foodie forums, I knew I had to try it. The recipe is Lasagna Roll-ups - a modified and easy peasy version of the traditional layered pasta dish.

Did I mention that my favorite bearded man is a lasagna lover? Yup, that's right. I would say 9 times out of 10, if lasagna is a menu option, it ends up on Adam's plate. That being said, I had to use my culinary expertise to woo said boyfriend.

I went ahead and tweaked the recipe to make it healthier and more convenient! Without further adieu...

 Skinny Lasagna Roll-Ups 

via

Ingredients:

1 pound extra lean ground beef (ground turkey would be tasty too!)
1/2 onion chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 (16 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried oregano
dash cayenne pepper
1 1/4 cups small-curd low fat cottage cheese (drain excess liquid)
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup fresh spinach
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
6-8 whole grain lasagna noodles
3/4 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese


Directions:

1) In a skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain.

2) Begin boiling lasagna noodles in large pot. Follow directions on packaging.

3) Add cans of crushed tomatoes, salt, and seasonings to taste. After combining, reduce the temperature to low and let simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.

4) After sauce has simmered, spread half of the meat sauce into a lightly greased 8x8 dish.

5) Preheat oven at 375 degrees.

6) Take the spinach and microwave it for 15-30 seconds, or until wilted. In large bowl, combine spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and onion powder until incorporated.

7) Take a lasagna noodle, spread 1/4 cupful on each noodle, and then very carefully roll-up the noodle. Place lasagna roll seam side down on top of the meat sauce in the dish.

8) Once all of the lasagna rolls have been placed in the dish, top with remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

9) Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

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For a quicker or meat-free option, feel free to skip the homemade sauce and use a jar of your favorite pasta sauce.

This is the perfect make ahead meal. Pretty easy to throw together the night before, and all you need to do is pop it in the oven after a long day.

Pair with a leafy green salad and small slice of crusty focaccia bread and you're golden!


Bon Appetit!