Zucchini is great for use in replacing carbs- whether you are trying to avoid them or if you have to eat gluten free. You can use it to make zucchini pizza crust, Pesto Spaghetti Zoodles or Sausage Stuffed Zucchini. And zucchini is especially awesome to use in place of long lasagna pasta noodles. This zucchini lasagna recipe also has meat sauce, so it’s a pretty hearty and filling dinner. You could always use regular marinara sauce if you want it to be a vegetarian meal.
Ingredients needed:
zucchini kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper ground beef onion garlic marinara sauce ricotta cheese mozzarella cheese Parmesan cheese egg parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder fresh basil
How to prepare zucchini to use for lasagna:
When cooked, zucchini tends to draw out a lot of moisture. So it’s important that you draw the moisture out of this vegetable before using it for your recipe. Trim the ends of the zucchini and discard. Cut the zucchini in long strips and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle it with kosher salt, and toss to combine. Let the salted zucchini sit for 30 to 60 minutes to draw out the moisture. Gently squeeze each slice with a paper towel to draw out the moisture. There is no need to rinse the zucchini.
The main components of this zucchini lasagna are the meat sauce, cheese mixture and strips of zucchini. The meat sauce made simply with ground beef, onion, garlic and marinara sauce. The cheese mixture is a mix of ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses with egg and spices. And the strips of zucchini will replace the strips of lasagna pasta.
How to make Zucchini Lasagna:
Spread a little of the meat sauce on the bottom of your casserole dish. Place a layer of zucchini on top of the sauce. Spoon some of the cheese mixture on top of the zucchini. A layer of meat sauce is added next. Add another layer of zucchini on top of the meat sauce. Spoon more cheese and more meat sauce on next. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
Bake for about 40 minutes until warm and melted and golden brown on top.
Let the zucchini lasagna sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before cutting and serving. This will give everything a chance to settle and not be so gooey and hot and messy.
Slice, and serve. Zucchini Lasagna is excellent served with Caesar Salad, cheesy garlic bread and your favorite bottle of wine. Enjoy!
