Zucchini Lasagna Boats

This recipe is for all my lasagna lovers who want to get more veggies in their diet! It’s honestly so delicious even without the noodles but if you wanted to make it more balanced, just serve it on a bed of pasta.

These are SO yummy and pretty quick & easy to put together too. A good weeknight option and perfect to reheat later if you need a prep-friendly meal!

Recipe makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 large zucchini

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1# ground beef, chicken, or turkey

• Italian seasoning:

  • ¼ cup parsley, rough chopped

  • ½ tbsp dried basil 

  • ½ tsp oregano

  • ¼ tsp each: red pepper flakes, thyme, rosemary,, black pepper, salt

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 cup marinara sauce (I used Rao’s tomato basil sauce)

  • ⅔ cup ricotta cheese

  • 1 egg white 

  • 3oz mozzarella (low-moisture), shredded

  • 3 tbsp parmesan, grated

  • Toppings: fresh parsley

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then it set aside.

2. Wash, dry, and cut the zucchinis in half. Use a spoon to hollow out the centers - I find it easiest to scoop along the sides of the zucchini (leaving a ¼” border) to kind of frame the area you want to remove. Then use the spoon to scoop underneath it all to loosen/remove that middle section. Once hollowed, set them cut-side-up on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the ground meat and Italian seasoning, breaking up the meat as it browns. Once the meat is cooked through, mix in the garlic and marinara sauce.

4. Mix together the ricotta and egg white until smooth. Evenly divide it among the hollowed zucchini boats.

5. Evenly divide the ground meat among the boats on top of the ricotta mixture.

6. Next, top each with the shredded mozzarella, then the parmesan.

7. Bake the boats on the baking sheet for 20-25 minutes - It’s done when you can poke the zucchini (in the softer, cut side) and the fork goes in easily.

8. When the zucchini is done, set the oven to broil for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely! Remove it as soon as the cheese turns golden brown.

9. Allow to cool a little before enjoying!

Nutritional Info (per serving - using lean ground turkey): 358 calories, 18g fat, 9g carbs, 40g protein