Best 6 Hearty Zucchini Lasagna Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the realm of hearty and flavorful dishes, few can rival the classic comfort food of lasagna. With layers of pasta, cheese, and savory sauce, this Italian staple has captured hearts and taste buds worldwide. However, for those seeking a lighter yet equally satisfying twist on the traditional lasagna, zucchini emerges as a versatile and nutritious alternative. This article presents a culinary journey into the world of hearty zucchini lasagna, guiding you through a delectable selection of recipes that celebrate the unique flavors and textures of this versatile vegetable. From classic lasagna variations to innovative recipes that showcase zucchini's versatility, this exploration promises to satisfy even the most discerning palate.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA



Zucchini Lasagna image

I plant zucchini every year, and we always seem to have more than we can use! This recipe is a particularly delicious way I use our abundant crop. -Charlotte McDaniel, Williamsville, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup 2% cottage cheese
4 medium zucchini (about 1-3/4 pounds)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Additional shredded mozzarella cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In large skillet, cook and crumble beef with onion over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Stir in seasonings and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. In a bowl, mix egg and cottage cheese., Trim ends of zucchini; cut lengthwise into 1/4-in.-thick slices. Layer half the slices in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray; dust with half the flour. Top with cottage cheese mixture and half the meat sauce. Add remaining zucchini; dust with remaining flour. Spread with remaining meat sauce; sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese., Bake, uncovered, until heated through, about 40 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with additional cheese. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 273 calories, Fat 13g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 92mg cholesterol, Sodium 725mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

ROASTED ZUCCHINI LASAGNA



Roasted Zucchini Lasagna image

Use zucchini ribbons in place of pasta for this noodle-less vegetarian layered dish.

Provided by Donna Hay

Categories     HarperCollins     Lasagna     Vegetarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Zucchini     Spinach     Ricotta     Mozzarella     Parmesan     Kale     Dinner

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/16-inch ribbons
Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing, plus 2 tablespoons extra
Sea salt and cracked black pepper
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons chopped oregano
1 bunch kale (500 grams), trimmed and blanched
1 bunch English spinach (375 grams), trimmed and blanched
2 1/4 cups (540 grams) fresh ricotta
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon rind
1 cup flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
3/4 cup (75 grams) grated mozzarella
3/4 cup (60 grams) finely grated Parmesan
Baby (micro) salad mix (optional), to serve

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the zucchini in a single layer on baking trays lined with non-stick baking paper. Brush both sides of the ribbons with oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden. Heat the extra oil in a medium non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and oregano and cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until softened. Allow to cool slightly. Place the kale and spinach in paper towel or a clean tea towel and squeeze to remove any excess liquid. Roughly chop, add to the onion mixture and stir to combine. Place the ricotta, lemon rind, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix to combine. Line the base of a lightly greased 9x9-inch baking dish with one-third of the roasted zucchini. Top with half the ricotta mixture and half the kale mixture. Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Top with half the remaining zucchini, and the remaining ricotta and kale mixtures. Sprinkle with half the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Top with the remaining zucchini and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until crisp and golden. Slice and serve with the baby salad mix.

HEARTY VEGETABLE LASAGNA



Hearty Vegetable Lasagna image

This hearty, vegetable lasagna is the only lasagna my husband will eat. We love it!!! Hope you all enjoy as much as we do.

Provided by Sue

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 1h40m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
¾ cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 (26 ounce) jars pasta sauce
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 eggs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Rinse with cold water, and drain.
  • In a large saucepan, cook and stir mushrooms, green peppers, onion, and garlic in oil. Stir in pasta sauce and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
  • Mix together ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and eggs.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread 1 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer 1/2 each, lasagna noodles, ricotta mix, sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering, and top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462.5 calories, Carbohydrate 49.6 g, Cholesterol 76.9 mg, Fat 19.5 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 23.2 g, SaturatedFat 8.8 g, Sodium 843.2 mg, Sugar 13.8 g

EASY ZUCCHINI LASAGNA



Easy Zucchini Lasagna image

No-cook noodles save prep time for this lasagna recipe. Since these lasagna noodles will expand during baking, avoid overlapping them. The noodles will touch the sides of dish upon baking.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 jars (24 ounces, one 14 ounces) spaghetti sauce
1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
1 teaspoon minced garlic
9 no-cook lasagna noodles
2 cups sliced zucchini
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 carton shredded Asiago cheese

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, fennel and garlic. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes., Spread 1-1/2 cups meat sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with three noodles. Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce to edges of noodles. Top with half of the zucchini, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese and 1/2 cup Asiago cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, sauce and Asiago cheese., Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 485 calories, Fat 18g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 1088mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 33g protein.

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA RECIPE BY TASTY



Zucchini Lasagna Recipe by Tasty image

When it comes to comfort food, there are few meals as satisfying as warm, cheesy lasagna. This recipe is a lighter take on classic lasagna. It's made with thinly sliced zucchini in place of noodles, and it calls for ground turkey for the meat sauce, but it still contains everything you love about the classic dish.

Provided by Claire Nolan

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 zucchinis
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ large white onion
2 cloves garlic
1 lb ground turkey
28 oz crushed tomato
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 bay leaf
16 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cut the ends off of the zucchini, and cut in half, lengthwise.
  • Using a vegetable peeler, peel long strips of zucchini (these will be your "noodles") and set on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
  • Dab zucchini strips with a paper towel to absorb the excess moisture.
  • In a large pot, add olive oil, onions, and garlic. Cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Add ground turkey, and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the turkey has browned slightly.
  • Pour in crushed tomatoes, basil, parsley, oregano, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and a bay leaf. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C).
  • In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  • Using a baking dish, layer turkey sauce, zucchini strips, ricotta mixture, and parmesan. Repeat until there are 3 layers total, ending with the turkey sauce and topping that with parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 50 minutes (times and temperatures may vary depending on the oven).
  • Let rest for at least 20 minutes.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 328 calories, Carbohydrate 13 grams, Fat 19 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 25 grams, Sugar 6 grams

LASAGNA WITH ZUCCHINI AND MEAT SAUCE



Lasagna with Zucchini and Meat Sauce image

Layers of meat sauce, sliced zucchini and ricotta make this lasagna an exceptionally hearty (and delicious) dish.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories     Home

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2-1/2 cups CLASSICO Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce
1 egg, beaten
2 cups POLLY-O Natural Part Skim Ricotta Cheese
12 lasagna noodles, cooked, drained
2 large zucchini (3 lb.), thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Cook meat, onions and peppers in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 4 to 5 min. or until meat is browned and onions are crisp-tender. Add pasta sauce; mix well. Simmer on medium-low heat 20 min. or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, mix egg and ricotta in small bowl.
  • Spread 1/4 of the meat sauce into bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Layer 3 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the zucchini slices, 1/3 of the ricotta mixture and 1/4 of the meat sauce. Repeat layers 2 times; top with remaining noodles. Cover with foil.
  • Bake 35 to 40 min. Uncover; sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, 10 min. or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 430, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, TransFat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 95 mg, Sodium 680 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 33 g

Tips:

  • Choose firm, medium-sized zucchini. Avoid using large or overripe zucchini as they tend to have a higher water content, making the lasagna watery.
  • Use a sharp knife or mandoline slicer to thinly slice the zucchini. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the zucchini from becoming too mushy.
  • To remove excess moisture from the zucchini, sprinkle it with salt and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Then, pat it dry with paper towels before assembling the lasagna.
  • Use a combination of cheeses for the filling. A good mix of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese will provide a rich and flavorful filling.
  • Don't overcook the lasagna. The zucchini should be tender but still slightly firm. Overcooking will make the lasagna mushy.
  • Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to set.

Conclusion:

Zucchini lasagna is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to use up fresh zucchini from your garden or local farmers market. With its combination of tender zucchini, creamy cheese filling, and flavorful sauce, zucchini lasagna is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe, give zucchini lasagna a try!

Related Topics