Light Italian Side Dish

I love my Italian food, but let's be honest - it's not always the healthiest of options. So I sought out a way to make one of my favorite dishes that will keep you full and satisfied without breaking the calorie budget! Eat as a side dish or just a snack - either way you'll be making it for ages to come!

Light Eggplant Parmesan

Serves 1

Ingredients:
1/3 large eggplant (Trader Joe's - $1.99 for one eggplant, $.66 used here)
1 large zucchini (Trader Joe's - $2.49 for 5 zucchinis, $.50 used here)
1/2 cup mushrooms (Trader Joe's - $1.99 for a packet, $.50 used here)
1oz mozzarella cheese (Trader Joe's - $3.99 for a 16oz log, $.25 used here)
1/2 cup tomato sauce (Ralphs - $.79 for a can, $.23 used here)
basil, dried or fresh
salt
pepper

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut eggplant into 1/4 thick slices and cut each slice into quarters. Slice zucchini into 1/8 inch slices.
• Spray a baking dish (I used a 8x8 dish) with nonstick cooking spray and mix eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms in the dish. Cover with tomato sauce and sprinkle with basil, salt, and pepper.
• Thinly slice mozzarella and arrange on top of the vegetable mix.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese has melted and veggies are cooked through.
• Serve hot!

Total cost:  $2.14 (Compare that to a fancy Italian restaurant!)
Nutrition Facts: 168 calories, 5.6g fat (3.1g saturated, 0g trans), 18mg cholesterol, 1000mg sodium, 24g carbs, 8.5g fiber, 13.6g sugar, 14.3g protein, [Vit A 25%, Vit C 110%, Calcium 29%, Iron 16%]

If you would like, add in some cooked cubed chicken or shrimp before you put it in the oven and you have a full meal [*will change calorie content!]. Until next time, may your stomachs be full and your grocery bill be small!