Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients

• 3 pounds zucchini, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, for drawing out moisture
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Method

1. 1

   Arrange zucchini strips on paper towels or a wire rack, sprinkle both sides with salt, and let sit 20 minutes to draw out excess moisture.

   20:00 · Drain zucchini
2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat zucchini strips dry with paper towels.

3. 3

   Arrange zucchini strips in a single layer on two baking sheets and roast 15 minutes until lightly softened and some moisture has evaporated.

   15:00 · Roast zucchini
4. 4

   Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.

5. 5

   Heat olive oil in a 9-inch skillet over medium heat, add garlic, and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

   0:30 · Cook garlic
6. 6

   Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, 7 to 8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.

   7:00 · Brown beef
7. 7

   Stir marinara sauce into the browned beef and simmer 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

   5:00 · Simmer sauce
8. 8

   In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, parmesan, basil, oregano, and black pepper, stirring until smooth.

9. 9

   Spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

10. 10

    Layer one-third of the zucchini strips over the sauce, slightly overlapping, then spread half the ricotta mixture over the zucchini.

11. 11

    Spoon one-third of the remaining meat sauce over the ricotta layer and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella.

12. 12

    Repeat the layering with another third of the zucchini, the remaining ricotta mixture, half the remaining meat sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella.

13. 13

    Top with the final layer of zucchini, remaining meat sauce, and remaining 1 cup mozzarella.

14. 14

    Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake 45 minutes.

    45:00 · Bake covered
15. 15

    Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.

    15:00 · Bake uncovered
16. 16

    Let the lasagna rest 15 minutes before slicing to allow layers to set.