How to Make No Noodle Zucchini Lasagna
Author Robyn Webb says, “Zucchini lasagna was the very first lasagna I ever made. Originally, I prepared it with noodles, but now I realize that long strips of zucchini stand in for the noodles beautifully.”
45 min prep time
1 hr 25 min cook time
18servings
2 × 3-inch square
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Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet with a lid over low heat (do not use a deep pot, as you want the water to quickly evaporate and the sauce to become thick). Cook the garlic for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, add the drained tomatoes to a deep bowl. Crush the tomatoes with your hands, until coarse. Add the tomatoes and basil to the skillet and simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until thick. Add some of the reserved liquid from the can of tomatoes if the sauce is too thick.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. As the sauce simmers, slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/8-inch thick slices with a knife or mandolin. Arrange the zucchini on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the zucchini lightly with salt. Bake the zucchini for about 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the zucchini from the oven. Gently roll up the zucchini slices in a towel to get rid of the excess moisture, or just use paper toweling and blot very well. Be careful to keep the slices intact. Add in the salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper (if using) to the tomato sauce.
- In a food processor or blender, process the tofu, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic until smooth. Add to a large bowl and mix in the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Pour about 1/3 cup of the marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9 × 12 baking pan. Add a layer of zucchini slices, overlapping them slightly. Add 1/3 of the filling mixture over the zucchini, spreading evenly with a spatula. Add about 1/3 of the remaining marinara sauce over the tofu cheese filling. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used up, finishing with marinara sauce. Sprinkle the top of the lasagna with the Parmesan or Romano cheese.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 15 minutes more. Remove the lasagna from the oven, let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes so lasagna can settle and it will be easier to cut. Cut into squares.
Nutrition facts
18 Servings
-
Serving Size
2 × 3-inch square
-
Amount per serving
Calories
80
- % Daily value*
-
Total Fat
4g
5%-
Saturated Fat
1.6g
8% -
Trans Fats
0g
-
Saturated Fat
-
Cholesterol
20mg
7% -
Sodium
240mg
10% -
Total Carbohydrate
5g
2%-
Dietary Fiber
1g
4% -
Total Sugars
3g
-
Dietary Fiber
-
Protein
6g
-
Potassium
260mg
6%
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tbsp
garlic (minced)
5 clove
(28-oz) can good-quality canned tomatoes (preferably packed in its own juice, drained, liquid reserved)
1
fresh basil leaves with stems (sliced or whole)
5
Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp
ground red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 tsp
large zucchini
3
firm tofu
16 oz
fresh parsley (minced)
1/2 cup
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1
lemon zest
2 tsp
garlic (minced)
1 clove
ricotta cheese (low-fat)
1 cup
mozzarella cheese (shredded part-skim)
1 cup
eggs (beaten)
1
Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp
freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp
Parmesan or Romano cheese (grated)
1/4 cup
