Zucchini Lasagna Rolls

Zucchini season is almost upon us, so why not prepare these delicious Italian-inspired Zucchini Lasagna Rolls?

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When the zucchinis start to grow fast and furious, it’s time to be prepared with several easy zucchini recipes. Who wants to spend too much time in the kitchen when you could be sitting on a deck chair, with a good summertime novel? This recipe is so simple, I believe I could even make it while guests are watching me work, which isn’t always the case!

You’re going to love the similarity to regular vegetable lasagna but without the carbs or calories. It’s also highly customizable, with additions of protein or substitutions of vegan cheeses. You can even change the layout back into a layered lasagna, with the zucchini spread out in a pan.

Are Zucchini Lasagna Rolls Healthy?

This is a healthy gluten-free and vegetarian snack, small plate, side dish, or even a main dish. As written, it provides a third of your typical daily protein needs. It delivers 11% of iron, 37% of calcium, and 19% of vitamin A. Add a cup of smashed white beans or chickpeas for added protein and swap in some vegan alternatives for the cheese and egg.

On Vegan Cheeses…

Vegan options for cheese abound these days, it seems. In addition to buying ready-made vegan cheeses, there are ways to create your own plant-based cheese. Vegan cheeses are often made from coconut, cashews, tofu, or soy milk. Nutritional yeast helps to give it a terrific taste, and happens to be a health food, too. This is such a great option for the growing number of people who need to be dairy-free, or just simply prefer plant-based.

To make vegan ricotta cheese, raw cashews are soaked in near-boiling water, then drained and blended with white vinegar, nutritional yeast and seasonings such as garlic salt. The high-fat content in cashews adds to the rich flavor and creamy texture, perfect for a dish like zucchini lasagna rolls.

For vegan mozzarella cheese, they often combine soaked cashews, plant-based yogurt, lemon juice or white vinegar, plant-based milk (like full-fat coconut), nutritional yeast, and tapioca starch, before blending well. The mixture is then heated in a nonstick pan until it thickens into a mozzarella-like consistency.

INGREDIENTS

2 large zucchini, sliced lengthwise into 1/4 inch thick planks
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup marinara sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

Preheat the oven and grill the zucchini.

Mix

Combine ricotta mixture and roll zucchini.

Bake

Top with sauce and cheese, bake.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

This is an easy dish to make ahead and refrigerate or freeze until the time you’d like to bake it, up to 24 hours in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer. Freeze individually or as a dish. Cooked leftovers can also be refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 3 days, then reheated. Frozen leftovers will keep for up to 2 months.

Does zucchini provide nutritional value?

You may have wondered if zucchini is adding much to your health regimen, since it is a pale color on the inside, and we’re told to eat colorful foods. Rest assured, it’s good for you in many ways. Zucchini’s benefits are enhanced when it’s cooked. It’s high in vitamins B and C, as well as antioxidants, promoting immune health, and it provides fiber for a healthy gut microbiome. Since it’s a non-starchy vegetable, it is low in calories and nutrient-dense. It’s anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal. Let me go look up some more zucchini recipes!

Is a mandolin necessary for slicing zucchini?

A mandolin is a game-changer in the kitchen. It can slice uniform pieces of vegetables and fruits, enabling you to easily create beautiful culinary presentations, even for every day. Do your homework before purchasing one, but you won’t regret it. It’s the one kitchen gadget I can’t live without.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with traditional Italian garlic toast, green salad, and an antipasti platter of olives, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and vegetables in oil. If you need a dessert idea to complete this Italian-themed meal, try Gingerbread Gluten Free Biscotti with Coffee Glaze.

If you’re looking for some more lasagna-based inspiration, then try this Easy Vegetable Lasagna or this Low-Carb Lasagna with Zucchini Noodles!

And some other zucchini recipes you’ll need in your arsenal ahead of peak zucchini season include Sautéed Zucchini, Eggless Vegan Zucchini Bread, and Zucchini Corn Fritters.