{"id":5890,"date":"2016-08-06T13:45:33","date_gmt":"2016-08-06T17:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/?p=5890"},"modified":"2023-12-03T14:00:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-03T18:00:21","slug":"zucchini-lasagna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growagoodlife.com\/zucchini-lasagna\/","title":{"rendered":"Garden Fresh Zucchini Lasagna"},"content":{"rendered":"

This delicious garden fresh zucchini lasagna is made with thin slices of zucchini instead of pasta noodles. It is a gluten-free alternative with all the flavor of the traditional version. Also freezer friendly for make ahead meals.<\/p>\n

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I missed harvesting fresh zucchini from the garden last year. Our neighborhood deer saw to it that I was only to have a few zucchini before they nibbled the plants down to nothing. This year, the plants are under protection of hoops and deer netting. I also doubled the amount of plants I normally grow just in case. I have big plans for preserving zucchini<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite ways to use zucchini is to make zucchini lasagna. If I have a lot of zucchini to use up, I make a double batch of lasagna and freeze the extras. It is worth the effort to assemble and bake several lasagna casseroles at one time and store the extra in the freezer for a future easy dinner.<\/p>\n

I am so happy when I can make a meal that incorporates so many home-grown ingredients. The zucchini is from the garden along with the onions, garlic, and parsley. The tomato sauce is homemade either made fresh<\/a> or canned<\/a>. The eggs come from our flock of hens. Even the sausage and cheeses came from a farm store nearby.<\/p>\n

How to Make Zucchini Lasagna<\/h2>\n

Thinly sliced zucchini is layered with homemade tomato sauce with Italian sausage, and three cheeses in this version of a much-loved comfort food. Skip the sausage for a meatless version.<\/p>\n

Scroll down to the bottom of the article for the full recipe. Here are the illustrated steps to making zucchini lasagna.<\/p>\n\n

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Step 1: Slice the Zucchini Thin<\/h3>\n

Rinse and slice the zucchini into 1\/8-inch thick strips (about 3 mm) using a knife, mandoline<\/a>, or vegetable peeler. If you are using a knife to slice the zucchini, cut off a portion to stabilize the zucchini and stop it from rolling, and then slice it carefully into thin strips.<\/p>\n

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Spread the zucchini out on a clean kitchen towel, and generously sprinkle with salt. Let rest for 10 minutes to allow salt to draw moisture out of zucchini. Pat the zucchini dry with a clean towel and set aside.<\/p>\n

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Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce<\/h3>\n

In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the olive oil and saut\u00e9 the onion until it is tender. Add the garlic, sausage, and cook it until the sausage is no longer pink. Reserve about 1\/2-cup of the tomato sauce, and add the rest to the skillet. Add salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes or longer.<\/p>\n

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Step 3: Blend the Cheese<\/h3>\n

Add the ricotta, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan, and eggs. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the parsley, and add the rest to the bowl. Mix until combined.<\/p>\n

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Step 4: Start Layering the Lasagna<\/h3>\n

Add the reserved 1\/2-cup of tomato sauce to a 9 x 13 inch lasagna pan, and spread to cover the bottom. Layer the sliced zucchini over the sauce overlapping the edges slightly. Layer the cheese mixture, and follow with a layer meat sauce. Repeat layering until the pan is full. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and sprinkle with the reserved parsley.<\/p>\n

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Step 5: Bake in a Preheated Oven<\/h3>\n

Cover and bake until done and let the zucchini lasagna rest for a while before slicing. Serve and enjoy.<\/p>\n

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A leafy green garden salad with Italian salad dressing<\/a> and homemade rosemary garlic bread<\/a> rounds out this meal.<\/p>\n

How to Freeze Zucchini Lasagna<\/h3>\n

Prepare and cook the zucchini lasagna as described above. Once the lasagna has cooled, cut and place into freezer containers or freezer zipper bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.<\/p>\n