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How to Make Zucchini Lasagna

Try out this zucchini lasagna recipe for a wonderfully comforting dish with fresh zucchini and savory ground beef. Serve it hot for a warm cozy feel!
  • cook TIME 50 mins
  • prep TIME 12 mins
  • total TIME 1 hr 2 mins
Course: Main CourseCuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 460 kcal
Author: Luna Regina

Ingredients (18)

  • 20 oz green zucchini sliced into thin strips
  • 12 oz 85% lean ground beef
  • 6 oz tomato diced
  • 2 oz onion diced
  • 1 oz mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup milk
  • 5 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp basil cut into thin strips
  • 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup homemade tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp Hunt's tomato paste
  • 1 cup unsalted chicken broth divided

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep:

1

Slice the zucchini into thin strips: Wash it clean, trim off both ends, then use a peeler to make long thin strips.

2

Dice the tomato: Cut a tomato into halves, then into quarters. Remove the seeds, then thinly slice each quarter lengthwise, then cut across them to dice.

3

Mince the garlic: Separate the cloves from the bulb and peel the skin off. Use a knife to slice each entire clove lengthwise, then hold the clove and turn 90 degrees to slice it crosswise. Keep mincing each clove into tiny pieces.

4

Dice the onion: Halve the onion lengthwise, peel off the skin, then score the top but leave the root behind for an easier grip. Place each half flat-side down, then vertically slice into the onion, but not all the way through. Make horizontal cuts from bottom to top before cutting across the onion to dice.

5

Finely chop the parsley: Remove the stems of the parsley, bunch together into a small pile and chop finely.

6

Chop the basil into thin strips: Stack basil leaves, roll them up lenghtwise, and finely chop along the short side to julienne the basil.

Cook:

1

Bake the zucchini: Place 20 oz zucchini strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 7 minutes.

2

Saute the onion and garlic in olive oil: In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, 2 oz onion, and 1 tbsp garlic. Saute for 1 minute.

3

Add the beef: Add in 12 oz 85% lean ground beef and stir-fry for 2 minutes.

4

Add the tomato and tomato paste: Add in 6 oz diced tomato and 1 tbsp tomato paste. Stir well for 2 minutes.

5

Add the seasonings: Add in 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, and 1 tbsp flour. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

6

Add the tomato sauce and chicken broth: Add in 1 cup homemade tomato sauce and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Stir well, then turn the heat to low, cook for 5 minutes. Add 2 tbsp basil and turn off the heat.

7

Make the white sauce: In a separate pan, add 1/2 tbsp butter and 4 tbsp flour. Stir well to thicken. Then, add 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Turn the heat to low and stir for about 5 minutes or until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl.

8

Assemble the zucchini lasagna: Spread the beef sauce to make the bottom layer in the casserole dish, then add a layer of zucchini, followed by a layer of white sauce. Repeat these three layers until topping off with the white sauce.

9

Bake the zucchini lasagna: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20 minutes.

10

Sprinkle with cheese then keep on baking: Take out the lasagna and sprinkle with 1 oz shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Place it back in the oven to cook at 425°F for 5 more minutes.

11

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped parsley on top before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 460kcal | Fat 29.3g | Saturated Fat 9.6g | Cholesterol 74mg | Sodium 592mg | Potassium 991mg | Carbohydrate 27g | Fiber 5g | Sugar 13g | Protein 25g | Vitamin A 2117IU | Vitamin C 50mg | Calcium 170mg | Iron 4mg