Easy Zucchini Lasagna
Learn how to make this lower-carb zucchini lasagna! Every bite has the flavors of a classic lasagne but with vegetable noodles instead of pasta. Each layer is rich in garlicky flavor, melted Italian cheeses, and lots of basil for freshness!
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of anything that has to do with pasta, luscious red sauce, and CHEESE. I’m obsessed with Italian food, but I try to keep it balanced because Italian cuisine tends to be higher in carbs.
This week we enjoyed this delicious and savory lasagna made with zucchini noodles. Yes, I said zucchini. As in, no pasta noodles – just layers of sliced veggies, fresh basil, rich tomato sauce, and so.much.cheese!
Lower in carbs but still has all the cozy, cheesy lasagna feels. This recipe is soo delicious and satisfying that you won’t even miss using pasta!
Ingredients Needed
You’ll need just a handful of Italian cheeses, fresh produce, and fresh herbs to make this recipe. Here’s the full list: Zucchini (yellow or green), Parmigiano Reggiano (fresh parmesan), mozzarella (low moisture), ricotta, garlic cloves, egg, fresh basil, fresh oregano, and marinara sauce.
Let’s Make Zucchini Lasagna – step by step
How to Make Zucchini Noodles Less Watery (3 steps)
- Thinly slice zucchinis: Use a mandoline slicer, vegetable peeler, or carefully use a chef knife to slice zucchini into 1/8 inch thick slices. Thicker cuts will have more moisture and be difficult to dry out completely.
- Sweat noodles: Lay noodles on paper towels and salt on both sides. Let “sweat” excess moisture for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Pre-bake zucchini noodles: the final step in ensuring you get as much moisture out as possible is pre-baking the noodles before layering. Lay them on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes at 375F. Dry excess moisture with paper towels after baking.
Mix together ricotta filling ingredients in a bowl.
Then in the baking dish layer lasagna: a thin layer of marinara sauce, zucchini noodles, a thin layer of ricotta filling, marinara, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil & fresh oregano. Repeat until finished.
- Top lasagna with sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered at 375F for 40-45 minutes then broil for 1-2 minutes to brown cheese.
How to Reheat
If refrigerated or frozen, the lasagna can be easily reheated.
For refrigerated lasagna: preheat oven to 350F and reheat for around 15 minutes until warm.
For frozen lasagna that is unbaked: let thaw and bake at 350F for 30 to 40 minutes until cheese is browned and bubbling.
Tips For Success
Slice Vegetables Like a Pro
Mandoline Slicer
I love using this mandoline slicer to get consistent cuts of zucchini for this recipe – it makes my life so much easier! It's a safe and efficient way to slice all types of vegetables. A must-have for your kitchen.
- Slice zucchini noodles: Use a mandoline slicer to get precise, thin noodle cuts with the zucchini. If you are experienced with a chef’s knife and feel comfortable, you can slice the zucchini noodles with a knife. Please be very careful doing this step.
- Use our favorite marinara (homemade or store-bought): For this recipe, you can use my family’s San Marzano Tomato Sauce or my family’s favorite store-bought marinara!
- Tips for fresh flavor: I think fresh herbs make all the difference! I love layering lasagna with lots of chopped fresh basil and even fresh oregano too. Keep in mind, dried herbs do not give as much flavor as fresh herbs.
- Don’t love ricotta? Ricotta can be a bit heavy and I know not everyone loves it. You can completely remove the ricotta filling from this recipe and layer with parmesan, mozzarella, marinara, and lots of fresh basil. It tastes just as delicious and is a little less heavy!
- Add protein – if you’d like to add a protein to this dish you can used cooked ground chicken, turkey, or ground beef. For a vegetarian option you can use cooked lentils. Layer the protein of choice in with each layer and bake with the dish!
Serving Suggestions
We love serving this healthy lasagna with some chickpea pasta or gluten-free pasta noodles! If you’re looking for a veggie-forward side dish, you can also pair it with this Italian salad or our Tuscan artichoke salad. And a side of crusty french bread or sourdough for sauce dipping is always a must!
More Delicious Italian Recipes to Make
- The BEST Vegetable Lasagna (no ricotta)
- Roasted Eggplant Pasta
- Authentic Italian Chicken Parmesan
- Cheesy Rotini Pasta with Roasted Vegetables
- Baked Eggplant Rollatini
If you tried this Easy Zucchini Lasagna recipe or any other recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, and FACEBOOK for more crave-worthy content.
Easy Zucchini Lasagna
Learn how to make this lower carb zucchini lasagna! Every bite has the flavors of a classic lasagne but with vegetable noodles instead of pasta. Each layer is rich in garlicky flavor, melted Italian cheeses, and lots of basil for freshness!
Ingredients
- 4-5 medium-large zucchinis, sliced thin (1/8-inch cuts)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 3 cups mozzarella, shredded
- 3 cups tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoon fresh oregano
- 3 Tablespoons fresh basil
Ricotta filling
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (drained of liquids)
- 1/4 cups parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for dried basil use 2 Tablespoons)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375F.
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Salt & pre-bake zucchini noodles: arrange zucchini slices on sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle with course sea salt – let sit for 5-10 minutes so zucchini "sweats" any excess moisture. Use paper towels to press and dry zucchini noodles. Then bake noodles for 8-10 minutes – pat them dry when finished baking. Note: pre-baking the zucchini will help dry up even more moisture from the noodles.
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Ricotta filling: in a medium-sized bowl, mix all of ricotta filling ingredients together.
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Layer ingredients: In a 13×9 baking dish, layer lasagna: spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish, add layer of cooked zucchini noodles, thin layer of ricotta filling, and mozzarella cheese & little parmesan, and generous sprinkle of freshly cut oregano & basil. Repeat each step until finished. On top layer with sauce, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese.
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Bake: Leave dish uncovered and bake for 40-45 minutes, then broil on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese is browned. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil. Slice and enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Share your photos and tag @asimplepalate #asimplepalate.
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What a disaster, a watery soupy mess even after using your advice to dry out the zucchini. Flavor was not bad but it was a mess, I won’t bother trying this one again.
I’m so sorry to hear that. Zucchini’s have lots of moisture, so they can be tricky. Even my lasagna’s vary in excess moisture, but I work with it. You can also bake them for 10 minutes after salting and patting dry to really make them work!
Try putting the zucchini in the oven for a bit first to dry it out
Delicious! I used chicken sausage which added a lot of flavor.
Absolutely delicious and a keeper. I changed it a bit according to what I had, so I used cream cheese instead of ricotta and also added meat, onions and garlic to the tomato sauce. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Great an delicious recepie
Thank you, sara!
Yum!! My boyfriend and I both thought this dish was delicious! Salted the zucchini leaving it to sit for about an hour before squeezing as much liquid out best I could, found I didn’t have too much of an issue with liquid especially after leaving it to sit for about 10 mins before serving. Added steamed sliced pumpkin as an additional layer, great addition of flavour. The fresh basil is a must! Thanks for a great recipe, will definitely make again.
This was delicious! I added ground turkey to the sauce.
I am making this for the third time tonight. I follow the recipe exactly and add ground turkey. It turns out amazing and everyone loves it. Thanks for a great recipe!
I’m so sorry to hear that. Would love to hear what went wrong so I can maybe help!
I made this last night. It came out really watery. I took as much moisture out of the zucchini as I could get. However, the flavor was great! I will make it and try draining the ricotta to see if that helps as far as it being watery…Thanks so much for the recipe!
Great idea with draining the ricotta! I will have to try that as well 🙂 Thanks sue!
Sue, mine came out a little watery but I took some paper towel and soaked it up and then after chilling leftovers I cut into serving sizes and froze them so when I want it I just have to thaw it out and I usually microwave it.
So sorry to hear that, Virginia! Sometimes they can have extra moisture.
Well I don’t have any eggs at the moment. is there anything I could sub?
The egg is just the binder, feel free to try it without it! 🙂 The ricotta may be a little harder to spread but it shouldn’t make a huge difference.
Ok I made this for my mother in laws birthday. I did it my way along with the recipe. I used half noodles half zucchini. I made the sauce like was stated adding half hamburger half Italian sausage. It was such a huge huge hit, I have been requested to make it again. Thank you.
I love incorporating some real noodles as well! So happy it worked out 🙂
This is so good!! We loved it. The recipe is simple, easy to follow, and a guaranteed hit.
Thank you, Wendy! Super happy to hear you loved it 🙂
Made it tonight! It was so good, I didn’t miss the taste of meat at all.
So happy to hear!
Can you make ahead and bake later.
I haven’t ever made it ahead. You can certainly try! I would make sure to absorb as much moisture as possible from the zucchini before prepping it.
Absolutely; flavor and shape is maintained.
Do you cook the Zucchini first before slicing?
No, you slice it raw 🙂
Going to make this tonight but going to add eggplant as well. Eating the next day always is the best. I’ll let you all know how it coms out.
Wow! What a surprise. Thank u sooo much! I have never gotten a response before…..I will make this for sure.
Hi I haven’t made this but I have a question. When you salt the zucchini and leave it for 10 minutes, do you just pat it dry and let the salt stay on the zucchini slices? Wouldn’t that make the dish overly salty?
You’ll only need to sprinkle a little salt over – and yes, by pressing the moisture out you absorb quite a bit of the salt. Results shouldn’t be salty 🙂
This recipe for zucchini lasagne is so yummy…a few notes for the next time I make it is to be sure to use a mandolin to slice the zucchini because some of my slices were a little on thicker side and needed more than 40 minutes to bake. I also would be sure to remove as much moisture from the zucchini’s prior because they do release a lot of moisture into the dish while baking. I also used a blend of Parmesan cheese and mozzarella which worked really well! Definitely would make again! Makes a great side dish if you’re vegetarian based or for your next gathering!
Awww so glad you liked it! And agreed. The sizing of zucchini thickness matters to help moisture release properly. 🙂 Thanks so much for your feedback!
This was so delicious!! Thank you!
yay! Thank YOU.
Zucchini Lasagna
I just started cooking with Zucchini, this month. I love this receipe! It’s my “goto dish”, anytime! I have made it twice. Once with turkey meat and once without it. Both dishes were delicious! I do have pictures. How do I share them.
But, I am still not sure how to season the Zucchini. So, thank you.
I made this for dinner last night. It was really good. No water from zucchini which was great. A little time consuming but with practice it might go faster.