Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini lasagna is a low-carb and low calorie take on a classic Italian meal that’s loaded with veggies! Our lasagna recipe replaces traditional noodles with fresh zucchini but it still has the same flavor and texture as the original. 

Why You’ll Love Zucchini Lasagna

Our noodle-free lasagna replaces pasta, but it’s so good you won’t miss it! The meal is a bit labor intensive, so give yourself some extra time to prepare it. But you can easily meal-prep this recipe, and it’s great for volume eaters; it’s also gluten-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly, so it checks all the boxes.

“I found this recipe really thorough and followed it basically to the letter (the initial microwaving/salting of the zucchini was especially helpful because I was expecting this to be really liquidy and it wasn’t)…Absolutely loved it and so did my boyfriend who is a known hater of zoodles.”

Reddit User

What You Need to Make this Recipe

• Zucchini: Zucchini is a tasty addition to meals and a perfect way to incorporate more vegetables. However, release a lot of water, so follow my instructions for preparing them. If not, you will end up with zucchini soup; I only know this because I have done it. Don’t get me wrong, the soup was tasty, but it wasn’t what we were going for that day.
• Salt: Use salt to impart flavor and draw moisture from the zucchinis.
• Ground Beef: As mentioned, moisture is an issue with zucchini-based recipes. For this reason, use lean ground beef.
• Onion: Onion cooks with ground beef, garlic, and tomato sauce for maximum flavor.
• Garlic: I suggest using four cloves, but don’t let my recipe tell you how much garlic to use – measure with your heart.
• Seasoning: Season zucchini lasagna with red pepper flakes, black pepper, and dried basil. There is no need to add salt since the zucchini strips are salted; this step imparts all the salt you need.
• Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite marinara sauce, but only 1 ½ cups! I prefer Rau’s Marinara Sauce since it’s lower in carbohydrates and has the best flavor! You can also make our easy sugo al pomodoro.
• Cream Cheese and Egg: Cream cheese and egg is a game-changing combination, the secret sauce, for lack of a better term; this may feel like a departure from authentic lasagna, but trust me- it’s delicious! Also, you’re making lasagna out of zucchini; you’ve already departed from authenticity.
• Cheese: Layer the lasagna with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. 

Additions and Substitutions

• Replace ground beef with Italian sausage, ground turkey, or chicken.
• To make the recipe vegetarian, use more vegetables like sweet potato or eggplant. You can use Beyond Meat or green lentils as substitutes for beef; prepare them the same way. 
• Use drained cottage cheese or ricotta instead of cream cheese.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Slice zucchinis length-wise and microwave them in a microwave-safe dish for 3 minutes. Drain the excess fluid.

Step 2: Lightly salt the strips and lay them on a cloth to dry.

Step 3: Add beef to a skillet; cook over medium heat, breaking it up using a meat chopper. Next, add onions and garlic and simmer for 10 minutes. Drain excess fluid from the pan.

Step 4: Season with dried basil, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Then, stir in the Pasta Sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes and set it aside.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, combine the cream cheese and egg in a blender or food processor until smooth.

How to Prepare the Zucchini

I use a peeler or cut the zucchini by hand; you can also use a mandolin since they offer a more consistent cut. Slice the zucchini into ¼-inch strips, and if you’re using a mandolin, set it to 4mm (the lowest setting for most mandolins).

How Do You Keep Zucchini Lasagna from Getting Watery?

Have you found yourself asking, why is my zucchini lasagna watery? One of the challenges of using zucchini to replace pasta in lasagna is avoiding a watery mess. Here are some steps to bypass making zucchini soup.

• Cut the zucchini slices thin, about ¼-inch.
• Microwave the zucchini beforehand; this will draw out most of the moisture.
• Salt the zucchini and allow them to sit while you prepare the meat sauce. Blot dry the strips thoroughly with a towel before adding them to the baking dish.
• After cooking the beef, drain any accumulated juices before adding the pasta sauce.
• ONLY add 1 ½ cup of pasta sauce.
• After baking the lasagna for the first 45 minutes, drain any excess fluid and then bake it uncovered accordingly.

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Serving Suggestions

This meal is a healthier alternative to traditional lasagna. However, we love to add to the recipe from time to time! Before adding additional ingredients, consider how watery zucchini lasagna is without preparing the zucchini properly.

• Mushrooms
• Spinach
• Eggplant
• Squash
• Lentils
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Bell Peppers

What to do With the Leftovers

• Refrigerate – Store the leftovers in an airtight container; they will keep for 3-5 days.
• Can you freeze cooked zucchini lasagna? Let the dish cool and transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Zucchini lasagna freezes for three months.
• Thaw – Defrost the lasagna in the refrigerator overnight
• Reheat – Warm the individual servings in the microwave or bake the lasagna uncovered in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
• Repurpose – Repurpose leftover lasagna by transforming it into a tasty new dish. Try making zucchini lasagna roll-ups by rolling individual portions and baking them with marinara sauce and cheese. Another option is to stuff bell peppers, bake them until tender, and top them with more cheese. You can also create a zucchini lasagna frittata by combining broken lasagna pieces with eggs and baking until firm.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Italian Recipes:

• Baked Chicken Thighs with Salmoriglio
• Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
• Pesto Recipe