Best Zucchini Lasagna [Video]

Zucchini Lasagna is a delicious recipe that is also low carb, Keto and gluten-free. Made with zucchini instead of pasta, and loaded with vegetables, which is also healthier than traditional lasagna. This is an easy recipe to make and it can be assembled is less than 30 minutes. Great for friends and family, and even kids will enjoy this version.

You can even modify the recipe by serving Meatball Zucchini Boats. We also like using zucchini in desserts, and we have the perfect Blueberry Zucchini Poke Cake for dessert lovers and this Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Lasagna is really a fun and easy to make dish. You don’t need to be a professional chef in order to let your friends and family enjoy some fancy lasagna. The great thing about this recipe, is that you can make a vegetarian version with ease if needed. For the vegetarian version, simply skip the meat in the meal. With this recipe, children won’t even know that they are eating vegetables!

A tip that you should remember is that the zucchini is watery. This is why for best results, if you have time, grilling or roasting the zucchini first before you start making the Zucchini Lasagna would make a big difference.

You can use a regular grill pan or simple roast in the oven. This will also give a much better taste to the lasagna. With this healthier lasagna, you will not be missing the traditional pasta. Also, you have best of both worlds, as the dish tastes great and is very healthy.

What is the main secret to the best Zucchini Lasagna?

• What is making this lasagna different, healthier and tastier? The zucchini of course. You are replacing the pasta with zucchini. You are just cutting it into long slices that are thick enough. Using fresh vegetables will give the lasagna a much better taste.
• The other secret to our recipe is using fresh produce and a combination of cheeses.
• The third secret is that you should let the meal rest for 10-15 minutes before serving it. It tastes even better the next day.

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How long do you bake Zucchini Lasagna?

The general rule is that you should bake the zucchini lasagna for about one hour. However, if you are making a larger batch for a huge family, you need to make sure that you are baking it for a longer time.

You will know that the lasagna is cooked when the sauce on top is getting darker. However, be careful about cooking it for too long as it might burn at the bottom of the pan.

How to prepare the zucchini before using it in the lasagna?

You should slice the zucchini in 1/8-inch slices. But, because they are watery, it is best to grill or roast them first. Using your grilling pan is a great option. Grilling it on both ends will ensure that most moisture will get removed.

After grilling, you should put the zucchini slices on a paper towel to remove as much moisture as possible before you start using it to build your lasagna. If you skip this step, your lasagna will be a bit watery, but it will still taste good.

How do you roast zucchini for lasagna?

• Slice the zucchini in about 1/8-inch slices, then splash with some olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Arrange the zucchini uniformly in a large baking pan, and put in the oven at 425 degrees F.
• Roast for about 12-14 minutes, or until tender.

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Can you make a healthier zucchini lasagna as well?

Yes, it is possible to make a healthier zucchini lasagna. You should use leaner ground beef, or substitute the beef with chicken or other leaner meats. For vegetarian version,  I recommend using tofu, beans, or some extra veggies. I usually go for a mix of bell peppers, mushroom and spinach.

Does zucchini lasagna freeze well?

Yes, the zucchini lasagna freezes really well. You can prepare the lasagna in advance and freeze it. Then, you should just put it back into the oven to defrost and to make it warm again.

The secret here is that you should prepare the meal, and make sure that you are freezing it in a container that will be oven safe. Otherwise, you might have a problem with defrosting and heating it up again. Best to freeze it up to three months.

Watch Recipe Step by Step Video:

Print

5 from 4 votes

Servings: 12 servings

Zucchini Lasagna

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

1 hr

Total Time:

1 hr 30 mins

Zucchini Lasagna is a great low-carb, Keto recipe that is also gluten-free. It is made with zucchini, and is a healthier option to the traditional lasagna.

Ingredients

• 5-6 medium zucchini sliced into 1/8 inch thick long slices

Beef Mixture:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups spinach fresh

Cheese Mixture:

• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 large egg
• 15 oz ricotta
• 1/2 cup Parmesan grated
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese (about 2 cups) shredded
• 8 oz Pepper Jack cheese (about 2 cups) shredded

Topping:

• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
• 1 cup marinara sauce

Instructions

Cooking the Zucchini:

1. If you have time, to remove the moisture from the zucchini it is best to pre-cook them, before using in the lasagna.

2. Brush the zucchini slices with olive oil and either grill them (grilling pan works too), or arrange them on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake in the oven at 425F for 12-14 minutes.

3. Once cooked, place on paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.

Cooking the Beef Mixture:

1. Place a large skilled over medium-high heat and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic, using a wooden spoon, stir and cook for one minute. Push the onion to one side of the pan and add the beef.
2. Let the beef brown a bit and start breaking it with the wooded spoon. Combine with the onion and garlic and cook until no longer pink. Drain any accumulated grease.
3. Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Let simmer on low for about 30 minutes.
4. Add the spinach, stir and cook until the spinach is wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare Cheese Mixture:

1. In a large bowl combine: ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Pepper Jack cheese, egg, dried basil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste. Stir until fully combined. The mixture will the thick, that is ok, as the zucchini has enough moisture, and we don't want to make it more watery.

Assemble Lasagna:

1. Lightly grease a 9×13 casserole dish with olive oil.
2. Spread about 1/2 cup of the cheese mixture on the bottom and add one layer zucchini to cover the bottom of the pan.
3. Spread 1/2 of the remaining cheese mixture, then top with 1/2 of the meat mixture.
4. Add another layer of zucchini, top with the all remaining cheese mixture, followed by the beef mixture. Add the final layer of zucchini, top with 1 cup of marinara sauce and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cover with foil, so it doesn't touch the cheese and bake for 30 minutes.
3. Uncover, and bake for another 20 to 30 minutes. If needed, broil at the end to make the cheese golden-brown.

Serve:

1. Remove from oven and let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
2. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Calories: 340, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 83mg, Sodium: 675mg, Potassium: 551mg, Carbohydrates: 7g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Protein: 27g, Vitamin A: 25.3%, Vitamin C: 22.7%, Calcium: 57.9%, Iron: 12.8%

Author: Catalina Castravet

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: Zucchini Lasagna

All images and text © for Peas and Peonies, LLC.

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