Recipe - Zucchini Lasagna

Lasagna is an iconic Italian dish composed of layers of pasta, sauce, cheese, meat, and vegetables. It has become a beloved dinner choice in restaurants worldwide and remains popular today.

This freezer-friendly Lasagna reheats the next day perfectly, making it ideal for entertaining a large family or group of friends.

As an added advantage, this Lasagna uses slices of zucchini for nutrition and value. You have a delicious meal with a medium zucchini or two (if you want to stretch it a little bit).

Lasagna Is Delicious

If you’re searching for a delicious dish to serve at your next dinner party, Lasagna is an ideal option. Packed with flavorful components such as meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella cheese, it’s sure to please everyone’s palette.

Preparing this dish is a breeze and can easily be reheated for an instant and satisfying meal. Plus, you can make it ahead and freeze it for later!

Lasagna is a beloved meal made with multiple types of pasta that can be served for any special occasion. You have your pick of flavors and fillings, such as ricotta cheese, spinach, and more, to choose from.

You can find plenty of lasagna recipes online, or consider attending cooking classes in your area to learn new dishes. Alternatively, enrolling in a culinary school will enable you to learn from experienced chefs.

The initial step in this recipe calls for boiling the noodles. After they are done, drain them and arrange in layers with other ingredients.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat sauce and ricotta mixture. Finally, bake your lasagna for around 40 minutes to set.

When serving the dish, you can top it with more ricotta and sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese. For an even fancier presentation, garnish it with fresh basil leaves for extra flavor.

This recipe is ideal for a weeknight family meal! It’s also customizable, so you can modify any ingredients. For instance, you could swap out some of the beef with sausage or other proteins and/or add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms.

Zucchini Lasagna Casserole
Zucchini Lasagna

Lasagna Is Traditional

Lasagna is an iconic Italian dish known for its hearty flavor and satisfying texture. Made with pasta, sauce, cheese, and meat, lasagna can be prepared in many ways; one popular method is baking it in the oven.

This recipe is incredibly straightforward to prepare. All the ingredients can be arranged in layers and cooked until hot and bubbling. Even better, make it ahead and freeze it for when you’re short on time – perfect for a quick dinner in no time!

You can use either fresh or dried pasta sheets for this dish, though fresh is preferable as dried ones tend to curl while cooking, so for optimal results, use fresh ones.

Remember: you don’t need to boil the noodles before mixing them into your dish. However, if making a large one, it might be beneficial to pre-boil them so they don’t stick together.

Furthermore, it would help if you prepared the ragu beforehand to give it time to simmer. The longer the dish simmers, the stronger its flavors will develop.

Are you interested in improving your cooking skills and discovering new dishes? A culinary school could be the ideal solution. Online classes offer the convenience of learning from experienced chefs without ever having to leave the comfort of home.

Lasagna has a long and beloved history in Italy, loved by millions worldwide for its ease of preparation, delicious taste, and nutritional content. Plus, it makes for a quick meal on busy nights when you need something quick for everyone in the family – perfect for lasagna!

Zucchini Lasagna Casserole
Serving Of Zucchini Lasagna

Lasagna Is Nutritious

Lasagna is a dish composed of wide pasta noodles. It may be filled with meat, cheese, or sauce.

Many people enjoy lasagna as a comfort food, but it can be high in calories and fat. Fortunately, there are ways to make lasagna part of a nutritious meal plan.

Before any meal or recipe, be sure to review its nutrition information. Opt for recipes that are low in calories and high in protein, as this will aid muscle building and keep you at a healthy weight.

Another way to reduce calories is by hiding vegetables within the sauce. For instance, adding spinach or grated carrots would help add variety and taste.

Cut back on calories without compromising taste with these easy steps. Opt for leaner meats or chicken and reduce the cheese in your dish to help achieve your weight goals.

You can cook a large portion of lasagna and store it for later. You could even reheat it in the microwave or oven.

When cooking lasagna for a crowd, batch-cooking can be an efficient option. Not only does this save time, but it also guarantees you enough large amounts of pasta on hand.

Large lasagnas can be high in calories, so monitoring your portions is important. If possible, limit the serving size to a smaller one.

It’s also wise to serve a side salad along with your lasagna. This gives you healthier choices and ensures half the plate is filled with vegetables.

Lasagna Leftovers

Lasagna is a beloved dinner choice that can serve up to 12 people, so if you’re feeding an army or meal prepping for multiple people, chances are there will be leftovers. Keeping lasagna too long in the fridge may lead to watery and bland consistency.

But don’t fret – we have some easy-to-follow tips and tricks for reheating lasagna that’ll have you eating it just like fresh from the oven! From quick and effortless methods to creative twists on classic pasta dishes, here’s how to turn leftovers into something truly impressive for your guests.

According to Taste of Home, the most straightforward and recommended way to reheat lasagna is in the oven. While this simple step takes more time than other options, it can be the most reliable option when you need quick results.

For an even faster solution, microwaving leftovers is a great option. Though microwaves sometimes get a bad reputation, they can actually be very effective at reheating lasagna if only warming up some slices at a time.

Another excellent way to reheat your lasagna is by flipping it over. This will give the dish extra-crispy edges and gooey, cheesy centers.

Finally, you can slice your leftovers thinly and serve them on short skewers for a sophisticated hors d’oeuvre. Whether served alongside Caesar salad or as the starter at your next cocktail party, these delectable reheated options will have you wishing for more.

If you’re in the mood for some serious comfort food, Olive Garden’s recipe for Lasagna Classico is sure to please. Inspired by their popular Lasagna Classico, this easy-to-make dish features layers of meat sauce, noodles, and cheese – ideal for feeding a large family, Sunday meal prep, or when you need a hearty dish that everyone will love.

Zucchini Lasagna Recipe

Zucchini lasagna is a delicious, lighter alternative to traditional lasagna. It keeps all the rich, comforting flavors while incorporating fresh zucchini for added texture and nutrition. This recipe blends creamy cheese, a savory tomato sauce, and layers of pasta to create a hearty yet balanced dish.

Recipe Overview

Below is everything you need to prepare this zucchini lasagna casserole, including required equipment, prep times, ingredients (both US and metric measurements), and a step-by-step guide.

Required Equipment

  • 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish
  • Sharp knife or mandoline
  • Cutting board
  • Large skillet
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Aluminum foil

Preparation and Cooking Time

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Servings: 8

Ingredients

IngredientUS MeasurementMetric Measurement
For Tomato Sauce
Olive oil1 tbsp15 ml
Shallot, chopped1 medium1 medium (50g)
Garlic, chopped2 cloves2 cloves (5g)
Crushed tomatoes28 oz can800 g
Salt1 tsp5 g
Ground black pepper1 tsp5 g
Dried oregano1 tbsp3 g
Dried basil1 tbsp3 g
For Cheese Sauce
Cream cheese, block10 oz280 g
Eggs2 large2 large
For Assembly
Zucchini1 medium1 medium (200g)
Lasagna pasta sheets12 sheets12 sheets
Mozzarella cheese, shredded12 oz340 g
Fresh basil leaves½ cup12 g

Preparation Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Tomato Sauce

  1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add chopped shallot and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir.
  4. Season with salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil.
  5. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Sauce

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, add cream cheese and eggs.
  2. Use a whisk to beat the mixture until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Prepare the Zucchini

  1. Wash and trim the ends of the zucchini.
  2. Slice it lengthwise into 1/3-inch (8 mm) thick strips using a sharp knife or mandoline.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1/5 of the tomato sauce evenly across the bottom.
  3. Arrange 3 lasagna sheets over the sauce.
  4. Add another 1/5 of the tomato sauce on top of the pasta.
  5. Place a row of zucchini slices over the sauce.
  6. Spoon some cheese sauce over the zucchini and sprinkle ¼ of the mozzarella.
  7. Repeat these steps to create 4 layers.
  8. For the final layer, spread the remaining tomato sauce, top with fresh basil leaves, drizzle the remaining cheese sauce, and sprinkle the last of the mozzarella.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

  1. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  2. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes.
  3. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until golden brown on top.
  4. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

NutrientAmount
Calories350 kcal
Protein18 g
Carbohydrates28 g
Fat18 g
Saturated Fat10 g
Fiber3 g
Sugar6 g
Sodium600 mg

Final Tips

  • For a low-carb version: Replace pasta sheets with extra zucchini slices.
  • For a richer flavor: Use fresh basil and oregano in the sauce.
  • For a crispy top: Broil for the last 3-5 minutes of baking.

Enjoy your homemade zucchini lasagna casserole—a perfect dish for family dinners or meal prep!

Enjoy!

How To Make Zucchini Lasagna

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