This Zucchini Lasagna is a delicious way to enjoy the taste of lasagna and forget the carbs. We use zucchini in place of noodles. It’s a naturally gluten-free, keto recipe with beautiful layers of vegetables, meat sauce, and cheese. This is the world’s best zucchini lasagna that’s baked to perfection and perfect for the entire family.
I’ve been on the quest for the perfect vegetable lasagna for a few months now. I can assure you that this recipe is the ultimate zucchini lasagna recipe. It the absolute perfection and you won’t crave classic lasagna with noodles ever again.
It’s interesting to find out that veggies are incredible when paired with the right ingredients. Growing up, little did I know about how tasty veggie meals are, I just disliked eating them, and that was it!
Just that one night, my mother made this scrumptious lasagna with delicious meaty and cheesy layers. And that’s when my mother first tricked me into eating zucchini lasagna, and I didn’t even notice a difference. It is that delicious! What’s your favorite meal with hidden veggies?
Watch our quick video to see exactly how to make the zucchini lasagna.
Zucchini Lasagna Ingredients
Zucchini is the perfect vegetable to use instead of lasagna noodles because it’s low in carbs and it doesn’t affect the taste or the texture. These delicious layers of zucchini are topped with super delicious beef tomato, all covered in lots of shredded cheese.
For lasagna with zucchini you’ll need basic low carb ingredients that are extremely easy to find and super tasty:
- Zucchini
- Ground beef
- Onion and garlic– The onion and minced garlic infuse the sauce with flavor.
- A mix of cheeses– mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta
- tomato sauce / crushed tomatoes
- olive oil
- seasonings– oregano, dried basil, pepper, salt, ground cayenne pepper
- fresh parsley (to garnish)
The seasonings are the key to creating an aromatic zucchini lasagna. Basil and oregano are needed for the authentic flavor.
How to Make Zucchini Lasagna?
The best zucchini lasagna starts with making a perfect low carb bolognese sauce.
What’s a bolognese sauce? It’s a meat-based sauce that has its origins in Bologna, Italy.
- Dice your onion and garlic very fine because we don’t want a chunky sauce.
- Prepare the zucchini lasagna noodles. The best way to get perfect zucchini slices is to use a mandoline. You can use a sharp knife to cut thin zucchini slices, but that is more time and energy-consuming method.
- Make the bolognese sauce: saute the onion and the garlic for about 2 minutes until they are soft and golden.
- Add the ground beef and brown for 5-10 minutes until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and seasonings.
- Stir to combine the ingredients. Simmer on low for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Make the cheese layer: mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan
- Assemble the lasagna: Start with a layer of meat sauce, zucchini, cheese, meat sauce, zucchini. Repeat!
- Bake the zucchini in the preheated oven for about 50 minutes. Let it cool before serving and enjoy!
One thing you need to know is that zucchini is 95% water, so an important step is to get as moisture out of them as possible. That can be easily done, by placing the zucchini slices on some clean paper towels, season with salt with then place another paper towel on top to get rid of the excess water.
Within minutes the paper towels will absorb tons of water. Another great way is to grill each zucchini slice for a few minutes.
Tips for Perfect Zucchini Lasagna
- To make even thin slices of zucchini you’ll have to use a mandoline. While slicing the zucchini by hand with a knife also works well I love how fast and what perfect slices I get when using a mandoline. Be careful not to cut yourself.
- Zucchini absorbs flavors very well, so make sure to use little salt because we don’t want super salty zucchini “lasagna noodles”. I know it’s tempting to use more salt, but trust me it’s not a good option.
- To prevent a very watery lasagna you can grill the zucchini to help remove the moisture. This step also contributes to a better overall taste of the lasagna.
- Bake the zucchini lasagna uncovered for almost half of the time because it helps the liquid to dry more moisture resulting in a lasagna that holds well together.
Can I Make Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna?
Yes, it’s possible to make a vegetarian zucchini lasagna if you substitute the ground beef with 2 cups of your favorite sauteed vegetables such as mushrooms, red peppers or onions. Then continue assembling the lasagna.
Zucchini Lasagna Leftovers
Let the lasagna cool completely and store for 3-5 days in the refrigerator covered in plastic wrap or foil. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to eat!
Other Delicious Recipes You Might like:
The Best Zucchini Lasagna Recipe (Not Watery) – Keto and Low Carb
Description
Ingredients
- 2-3 medium zucchini sliced 1/8 inches thick
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cup mozzarella shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan
- 1/2 cup ricotta
- 15 oz tomato sauce / crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F /190°C. You can watch the step-by-step video below for more guidance
- Slice the zucchini into 1/8" thick slices using a mandoline and arrange them on paper towels.
- Lightly salt zucchini on both sides, and set aside for 15 minutes. This step will help to remove the excess moisture.
- Pat the zucchini dry with a clean paper towel.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil and saute the onion and the garlic for about 2 minutes until they are soft and golden.
- Add the ground beef and brown for 5-10 minutes until no longer pink. Drain the excess fat.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and seasonings.
- Stir to combine the ingredients. Simmer on low for 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- In a large bowl combine the mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan.
- Grease an 8X8" casserole with olive oil or cooking spray. Spread 1/2 cup of meat sauce on the bottom and top with a layer of zucchini. Over the zucchini add 1/3 of the cheese filling spreading it as even as possible. Top with sauce, another layer of zucchini, cheese and repeat until all the ingredients are used up. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella on top.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 30-40 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 more minutes until the edges look crispy. Let it cool for about 20 minutes before slicing.
Video
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
READER FAVORITES
The full recipe is in the recipe card below. Readers that love this aslo made these recipes:
what temperature should the oven be set to for this? for some reason this is all caps, i’m not angry:)
I updated the post and added the temperature. It’s 375F.