Zucchini Lasagna Delight
Craving lasagna but trying to stay low carb? This Zucchini Lasagna Delight is the perfect solution! Made with layers of tender zucchini slices, savory ground beef, fresh spinach, and creamy ricotta, all nestled in rich spaghetti sauce, this healthy twist on a classic family recipe will satisfy your lasagna cravings without the carbs. Perfect for any day of the week, this dish is hearty, meets South Beach diet guidelines, and can easily be made in bulk for meal prep. Enjoy the delightful flavors and textures without the guilt!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Spaghetti Sauce
2 jars (26 ounces each) (Ready to use)
Extra Lean Ground Beef
1 lb (Browned and drained)
Fresh Spinach Leaves
2 cups (Chopped finely)
Garlic Clove
1 large (Minced)
Zucchini
4 1/2 large (Grated and sliced)
Ricotta Cheese
8 ounces (Prepared)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Parsley Flakes
1/4 cup (Dried)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 cups (Ready to use)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (Ready to use)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
In a large skillet, brown the extra lean ground beef over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
3
Add the chopped spinach, grated zucchini (about half), and minced garlic to the skillet, mixing well. Cook until the spinach is wilted and tender.
4
Stir in one jar of spaghetti sauce, mixing until fully incorporated and heated through. Add the second jar of sauce to the mixture and remove from heat.
5
In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and parsley flakes to create a creamy filling.
6
Spread about 2 cups of the meat sauce mixture at the bottom of a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
7
Layer half of the sliced zucchini evenly over the sauce.
8
Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the zucchini slices.
9
Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the grated parmesan cheese over the ricotta layer.
10
Spoon 2 cups of the meat sauce over the cheese layer.
11
Repeat the layering process with the remaining ingredients: zucchini, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and parmesan, finishing with the remaining meat sauce on top.
12
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place it on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch any drips.
13
Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. For a bubbly top, remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of cooking.
14
Allow to cool slightly before serving to let flavors meld and to make slicing easier.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zucchini Lasagna Delight?
Zucchini Lasagna Delight is a low-carb, healthy alternative to traditional lasagna that replaces pasta noodles with layers of fresh zucchini slices.
Is this recipe low carb?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to be low carb by using zucchini instead of traditional pasta noodles.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 12 servings.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
What kind of meat is used in this lasagna?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of extra lean ground beef.
How much zucchini is needed?
You will need 4 1/2 large zucchinis, which are both grated and sliced for the recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for the South Beach diet?
Yes, this dish meets South Beach diet guidelines and is a healthy option for those following the plan.
How long does the lasagna need to bake?
The lasagna should bake covered for 1 hour, with the option to remove the foil for the last 10 minutes for a bubbly top.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 9x13 inch glass baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How is the zucchini prepared?
The zucchini is prepared in two ways: about half is grated to be mixed into the sauce, and the rest is sliced to create the layers.
Why is some of the zucchini grated into the sauce?
Grated zucchini is added to the meat sauce to add volume and nutrients while helping to thicken the mixture.
What is in the creamy ricotta filling?
The filling consists of 8 ounces of ricotta cheese, one beaten egg, and 1/4 cup of dried parsley flakes.
How much spaghetti sauce is required?
The recipe requires two 26-ounce jars of spaghetti sauce.
How can I get a bubbly cheese top?
To achieve a bubbly top, remove the aluminum foil during the last 10 minutes of the baking process.
Is this zucchini lasagna gluten-free?
Yes, as long as the spaghetti sauce used is certified gluten-free, the entire dish is naturally gluten-free as it contains no wheat noodles.
Why should I use a foil-lined baking sheet under the dish?
Placing the baking dish on a foil-lined baking sheet helps catch any drips or spills that may occur during the 1-hour baking time.
How much garlic does the recipe call for?
The recipe uses 1 large garlic clove, minced.
What kind of spinach is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of fresh spinach leaves, finely chopped.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
You will need 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Can I use this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, this dish is excellent for meal prep as it can be made in bulk and stays hearty when reheated.
What is the first layer placed in the baking dish?
The layering begins with about 2 cups of the meat sauce mixture spread at the bottom of the dish.
How many layers of zucchini are there?
The recipe features two main layers of sliced zucchini alternating with the sauce and cheese mixtures.
Should the ground beef be drained?
Yes, you should drain any excess grease after browning the extra lean ground beef.
What type of parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
Why should I let the lasagna cool before serving?
Allowing the lasagna to cool slightly lets the flavors meld and makes it much easier to slice into clean portions.
How much dried parsley is in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of dried parsley flakes mixed into the ricotta.
Is there an egg in this recipe?
Yes, one beaten egg is used to bind the ricotta cheese mixture.
What category of meal does this fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a One Dish Meal.
How is the spinach prepared?
The fresh spinach leaves should be chopped finely before being added to the skillet.
How many different ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredients including the sauce, meat, vegetables, and cheeses.