Italian Zucchini Lasagna Recipes

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions or until tender but still firm.
• Drain, keep warm.
• Meanwhile, to make lasagna sauce, saute ground beef, garlic and onion is a large heavy skillet or cast iron frying pan until beef is done.
• Add sauce, mushrooms, oregano, thyme, basil, wine or 1/4 cup water, touch of pepper and mix well.
• Simmer 45-50 minutes .
• To prepare Zucchini for this recipe, cut in half or cook whole in a large covered pot with 1-2 inches of water.
• Boil gently for about 5 minutes, drain and cut lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices.
• Grease a 9" x 13" or larger, baking pan.
• Arrange a first layer of noodles so the ends hang over both sides of the pan.
• These will be folded back-over the top on the final layer.
• Next, add a layer of the cooked zucchini, a layer of lasagna sauce, a layer of mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat.
• For the top layer, fold the ends of the pasta from the first layer over the top and add more sauce.
• Top with parmesan cheese and cover with foil.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 35-40 minutes , uncover and bake until brown, approximately 10 minutes.
• Serve this Italian food with french bread and have additional parmesan cheese at the table.

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA WITH MEAT

Steps:

• Salt zucchini slices on a plate and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes while you dice the rest of the ingredients.
• Heat a large skillet or wide pot over high heat. Add oil, onion, and garlic, and sauté until the onion gets a little brown and becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, potato, and bell pepper. Cook and stir until beef is browned and crumbly, about 5 minutes. Pour in marinara sauce.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Layer marinara mixture, zucchini slices, and mozzarella cheese in that order in a casserole dish until you run out of ingredients, ending with mozzarella cheese. Cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven, covered, for 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue baking until lasagna is cooked through and bubbly, about 15 minutes more.

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA ROLLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a 12x18-inch half sheet pan with foil and brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Wash, dry, and trim the ends of the zucchini. Carefully slice each zucchini lengthwise into seven 1/8-inch thick slices using a mandolin or sharp knife. Place zucchini slices on the prepared pan and sprinkle with salt. Toss slices to distribute salt.
• Cook in the preheated oven until zucchini slices are soft and pliable, about 10 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and place on several layers of paper towels to absorb any excess liquid. Set zucchini aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and season with Italian seasoning blend, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir ground beef until brown and crumbly, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in minced garlic and cook until garlic is fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
• Stir together ricotta, beaten egg, grated Parmesan cheese, minced parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
• Combine marinara sauce and tomato paste in a separate bowl, stirring well.
• Spray a 9x11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 of the tomato mixture over the bottom of the baking dish.
• When the zucchini is cool enough to handle, blot with paper towels. Line up 6 or 7 slices of cooled zucchini on the sheet pan.
• Spread each slice of zucchini with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle 1 1/2 tablespoons of the meat mixture over the slices. Setting 1 cup of grated mozzarella aside, sprinkle each zucchini slice with 1 tablespoon grated mozzarella.
• Beginning with the end nearest you, roll up each zucchini slice over the filling, jelly roll-fashion, and place in the prepared baking dish. Repeat until there are 4 rows of 7 zucchini rolls.
• Pour reserved marinara mixture over the zucchini rolls and sprinkle with reserved grated mozzarella.
• Bake in the preheated oven until zucchini rolls are heated through, the sauce is bubbly, and the cheese is melted, about 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool about 20 minutes. Garnish with minced fresh basil, if desired.

CHEESY ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°.
• Spray rectangular baking dish, 11x7x1-1/2 inches with nonstick cooking spray.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
• Mix remaining mozzarella cheese, the zucchini, ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese.
• Spread 3/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce in prepared baking dish; top with 3 of the noodles.
• Spread half of the cheese mixture over noodles in dish; top with 3/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce.
• Repeat with 3 noodles, remaining cheese mixture and 3/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce.
• Arrange remaining 3 noodles on top.
• Sprinkle boiling water over all.
• Cover with aluminum foil and bake about 1 hour or until noodles are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove from oven; sprinkle with reserved mozzarella.
• Let stand 15 minutes (or longer to get the desired firmness) before cutting.