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Home » Dinner

Zucchini Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce

Published: Jan 7, 2019 by Kit · This post may contain affiliate links · 27 Comments

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A bold meaty zucchini lasagna made with thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta. This zucchini lasagna recipe is a lower carb version of a classic!

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - A bold meaty zucchini lasagna made with thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta. It's a lower carb version of a classic!

I love this Zucchini Lasagna recipe because it manages to be meaty while being low-carb. Thin strips of zucchini replace pasta in this healthier version of the classic Italian meal.

The beefy bolognese sauce brings this zucchini lasagna to life, and you won't even miss the pasta.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - a recipe with step by step photos.

This recipe comes together in under an hour, with just 20 minutes of preparation time, and it feeds six.

If you truly love pasta and can't give it up, you could half the amount of zucchini and add both lasagna noodles and slices of zucchini to this recipe.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - a zucchini lasagna recipe via thekittchen.com

While zucchini has a different consistency than pasta, the al dente baked zucchini is a substitute I am happy to make. More veggies, less carbs, I think it is a win.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna

The trick to getting this recipe to work is to slice the zucchini really really thin.

I used a potato peeler to create super thin slices. I think it works better than a mandoline. Hand slicing won't work.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna 3 1

Zucchini contains a lot of moisture, and if the zucchini is too thick your lasagna will become a little soupy.

Remedy this by making super thin slices of zucchini, and or placing the zucchini the oven for a few minutes to dry out.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna 4 1

If you want to use the oven method, heat your oven to 350, lay the zucchini out in a single layer on a baking sheet, dust with salt, and bake for 5 minutes.

Blot the zucchini with paper towels and then assemble the lasagna.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna 11 1

Or you can opt to slice the zucchini first, place them on paper towels, blot them, and then let the strips dry out while you prepare the bolognese sauce. I like to use this method.

The zucchini will still release more moisture as it cooks in the lasagna, but the excess water will sink to the bottom of the pan as you take out each slice. The lasagna itself won't be soupy, there will just be a little moisture in the bottom of the pan.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - an easy zucchini lasagna recipe

Charles gave this recipe an enthusiastic thumbs up, and said that he particularly loved the combination of the beef and zucchini. We did agree that this recipe would be a bit bland without the beef, but you could use any meaty sauce you like.

If you want to make a vegetarian version of this recipe you could try adding chunks of mushrooms to the sauce instead of beef.

How to make Zucchini Lasagna | A bold meaty zucchini lasagna made with thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta. It's a lower carb version of a classic! #zucchini #lasagna

Before we jump the recipe - here is my go-to recipe for bolognese. I used it in this recipe.

Aunt Diddie's Bolognese Sauce Recipe-3

Here is my Great Aunt Diddie's classic bolognese sauce recipe.

Zoodles (Zucchini Pasta) via The Kittchen-9

And here is my recipe for Zoodles alla Rustica

How to make Zucchini Lasagna:

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - A bold meaty zucchini lasagna made with thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta. It's a lower carb version of a classic!

Zucchini Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce

I love this recipe for Zucchini Lasagna because it manages to be meaty while being low-carb.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon Butter
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • ¾ pound Ground Beef
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 28- ounce can Crushed San Marzano Tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • 4 Zucchini
  • 1 15- ounce tub of Part Skim Ricotta
  • 10 ounces Frozen Spinach
  • ½ cup Grated Fresh Mozzarella

Instructions

  • First, use a peeler to create slices of zucchini. I experimented with a few different tools, including a mandoline, and found that a peeler worked best. You want the slices to be as thin as possible. Lay the slices of zucchini out on paper towels in a single layer, and blot them with another paper towel to soak up some of the extra moisture. Leave the slices of zucchini out to dry out a little while you prepare the bolognese sauce.
    How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - a recipe with step by step photos.
  • Next prepare the bolognese sauce. Melt the butter in a medium sized pot. Once the butter has melted, run the garlic cloves through a garlic press and stir them into the butter. After a minute, add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and use a wooden spoon to break the beef up into small pieces. Stir frequently until the beef has browned.
  • Pour the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste over the beef, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a slow and steady boil and let the sauce reduce for 10 minutes.
  • Thaw the frozen spinach (I placed it in a fine mesh strainer and ran it under hot water) and squeeze out the excess water. Then stir the spinach and ricotta together.
  • To assemble the lasagna, start by pouring a thin layer of the bolognese sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish.
    How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - step by step recipe and photos.
  • Then add zucchini on top. You want a nice thick layer of zucchini, I made the layer double thick.  
    How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - Next add ½ of the ricotta and spinach mixture and spread it over the zucchini in an even layer.
  • Next add ½ of the ricotta and spinach mixture and spread it over the zucchini in an even layer.
    How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - Add the spinach and ricotta layer
  • Then add another layer of zucchini on top. 
    How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - Add more zucchini slices
  • Pour half of the remaining bolognese over the zucchini.
  • Repeat the last steps, creating layers of zucchini, ricotta, and zucchini. 
  • Pour the remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle the mozzarella over.
  • Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, and serve immediately.

Notes

I experimented with a few different tools, including a mandoline, and found that a peeler worked best. You want the slices to be as thin as possible.
I used paper towels to blot the slices of zucchini and soak up excess moisture. You can also opt to quickly pre-bake the slices of zucchini. Do so by laying them out on parchment paper in a single layer, baking for 5 minutes at 350 degrees, and then blotting any excess moisture with paper towels.

Want to save this Zucchini Lasagna recipe for later? Here is an image for you to pin:

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - an easy meaty low-carb lasagna recipe.

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna - I love this recipe for Zucchini Lasagna because it manages to be meaty while being low-carb.

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Comments

  1. Mica | Let’s Taco Bout It Blog says

    February 17, 2016 at 6:27 am

    Lasagna is a big hit in our household. I'm excited to cook this for dinner. Can we substitute the ground beef for ground turkey?
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      February 17, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      Yes! Use turkey instead! I think it would be great!
      Reply
  2. Bridget-The Recipe Wench says

    February 17, 2016 at 7:21 am

    This looks so good to me. What I especially like is the SPINACH! I'm a big fan of spinach. And I am totally with you on the San Marzano tomatoes -- the flavor is perfect for Italian cooking.
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      February 17, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      Spinach is the best, isn't it!
      Reply
  3. Celine @ Mrs Minty Cream says

    February 17, 2016 at 8:50 am

    Wow! the colour of this dish is so appetising! It's a pity that we do not take beef in our family. I can probably substitute it with chicken I hope? Any advise on that? Thanks.
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      February 17, 2016 at 5:41 pm

      Thank Celine. You could definitely use chicken instead. The recipe would be even healthier that way!
      Reply
  4. Mary @ StrawmarySmith says

    February 18, 2016 at 12:39 am

    Oh. Em. Gee! This lasagna looks fantastic and so creative! I've seen zuccini noodles, stir fry, and so many spins on the whole zoodle thing, but never have I seen zucchini lasagna! And it looks so healthy - can't wait to try it!
    Reply
  5. Wajeeha says

    February 20, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    OMG this looks delicious...I love how it's also healthy too...I love zucchini so will be trying this soon! :)
    Reply
  6. Ljadouglass says

    September 24, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    I am assuming cooking it at 350 degrees? Looks so good that I am making it for dinner tonight.
    Reply
    • Kit Graham says

      September 24, 2016 at 9:04 pm

      Yes! Updating the recipe now :)
      Reply
  7. Judy says

    March 19, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    I'm making this for supper tonight. Can't wait to try it! Can this be premade (day before) or better yet...frozen and thawed? I love being able to make things on the weekend to serve during the week. Thanks
    Reply
  8. J C says

    February 01, 2018 at 7:24 pm

    Ooh will try this for dinner tonight! What size pan did you bake the lasagna in? Thanks!
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      February 01, 2018 at 8:04 pm

      I think it was about a 12 x 9 inch pan. I definitely recommend baking the zucchini slices for about 5 minutes first to get some of the excess moisture out.
      Reply
      • J C says

        February 01, 2018 at 8:48 pm

        Great, thank you! Do you still recommend baking the zucchini if I've used the peeler to cut it up?
        Reply
        • thekittchen says

          February 01, 2018 at 9:06 pm

          Maybe just use a paper towel to soak up some of the moisture.
          Reply
  9. Laura Eliz says

    August 12, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    I've just made mine and it's in the oven. I added 1/4 cup of basil, 1/4 cup of parsley, 2 teaspoons of oregano to the sauce and upped the cloves to 3 large garlic cloves. I'll let you know how it goes! Can't wait to try it!
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      August 13, 2018 at 11:51 pm

      I hope that you loved it!
      Reply
  10. Chas' Crazy Creations says

    January 17, 2019 at 3:47 pm

    This sounds delicious and I always crave lasagna this time of year. Thanks for sharing
    Reply
  11. Alice V says

    January 18, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    I've put zucchini in my lasagna before and it did come out a bit watery. Thanks for the tip to dry the slices out in the oven first or slice them super thin. I need to try one of those methods. Thank you for sharing this post with us at #OMHGWW!
    Reply
  12. Kristina Tyler says

    January 18, 2019 at 7:00 pm

    This is Kristina from Pretty Pintastic. This recipe looks great! I wonder if using half past and half zucchini would be a good way to sneak some veggies into a kid's diet?
    Reply
    • thekittchen says

      January 18, 2019 at 8:59 pm

      I am pretty sure it would work!
      Reply
  13. Passion fruit Paws and Peonies says

    January 18, 2019 at 7:13 pm

    This would go down super well in my house. Thanks for the recipe, I'll pin for later xx Maria
    Reply
  14. thenotsocreativecook says

    January 20, 2019 at 8:55 am

    This dish looks amazingly good!! Thank you for sharing at Fiesta Friday party.
    Reply
  15. Ai @ Ai made it for you says

    January 21, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    Yum!! I'm recently gluten-free so I'd love to try making this lasagna! So much healthier to use zucchini than pasta! Happy Fiesta Friday :)
    Reply
  16. Miz Helen says

    January 22, 2019 at 5:17 pm

    We will really enjoy your very special Zucchini Lasagna! Hope you are having a great week and staying warm. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back soon! Miz Helen
    Reply
  17. Amy says

    January 18, 2022 at 4:35 pm

    Can you use fresh spinach or is there a particular reason you should use frozen?
    Reply
    • Kit says

      February 01, 2023 at 4:47 pm

      You can use fresh!
      Reply

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