Description
Irresistibly cheesy and saucy zucchini lasagna with layers of grilled zucchini, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese sauce.
Ingredients
2 pounds zucchini (approximately 4–5 medium-large zucchinis)
Cooking spray or olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups pasta sauce
Handful of fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini:
- Trim the ends of the zucchinis and cut in half if large.
- Use a mandolin slicer to create 1/4-inch thick strips.
- Arrange on a baking sheet, spray with cooking spray or brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the zucchini slices for 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and let cool.
- Make the meat sauce:
- In a large pot or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and brown for about 5 minutes, breaking it up with a spatula.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add chopped onions and sauté for 5 more minutes until softened.
- Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add pasta sauce, half of the chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Create the cheese sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped basil, and egg.
- Season with salt and stir until well blended.
- Assemble the lasagna:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread 1/2 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
- Layer zucchini slices on top.
- Spread 1/3 of the meat sauce over the zucchini.
- Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Spoon half of the cheese sauce over the cheese layer.
- Repeat the layering process, ending with a layer of zucchini.
- Bake the lasagna:
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Serve the zucchini lasagna garnished with fresh basil. Enjoy the saucy, cheesy, and satisfying flavors!
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 105mg