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A golden, cheesy slice of low carb zucchini lasagna topped with fresh basil sits on a white plate.
Linda

Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna

All the cheesy, saucy comfort of classic lasagna without the carb crash, thanks to thin ribbons of roasted zucchini.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Zucchini Noodles
  • 3 lbs zucchini about 4-5 medium, sliced lengthwise 1/8 inch thick
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt for drawing out moisture
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for roasting
For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 0.5 lb italian sausage mild or hot, casings removed
  • 3 cups marinara sauce no sugar added for low carb
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
For the Cheese Layer
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese whole milk, drained if watery
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, low-moisture, divided
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese finely grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil chopped, plus leaves for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • mandoline or sharp chef's knife
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing Bowls

Method
 

Prep the Zucchini
  1. Lay zucchini slices on paper towels and sprinkle both sides with kosher salt. Let sit 15 minutes to release moisture, then blot firmly with more towels. This step prevents watery lasagna.
  2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Arrange slices on two parchment-lined baking sheets, brush lightly with olive oil, and roast 12-15 minutes until just tender and slightly dry. Set aside to cool. Reduce oven to 375 degrees F.
Make the Meat Sauce
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes until well-browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes to the meat. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in marinara sauce, reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Taste and season with salt if needed.
Prepare Cheese Filling
  1. In a bowl, combine ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, beaten egg, and chopped basil. Stir until well blended.
Assemble the Lasagna
  1. Spread 1 cup meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add a layer of zucchini noodles (slightly overlapping), half the ricotta mixture, and 1 cup meat sauce. Repeat layers once more, ending with a final layer of zucchini. Top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and extra parmesan if desired.
  2. Cover tightly with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15-20 minutes more until bubbling and cheese is spotty golden. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing - this sets the layers so they hold together.
  3. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra parmesan. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

Do not skip salting and roasting the zucchini - raw zucchini releases too much water and ruins the texture. For extra firm slices, grill the zucchini instead of roasting. Make the meat sauce up to 3 days ahead; the flavor improves overnight. This reheats beautifully and freezes well for up to 2 months.