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How to curb that lasagna craving a healthier way

My inner Garfield has a strong monthly craving for lasagna that I can rarely deny. Instead of trying to fight my desire for that beautifully layered carb-fest, I decided to make some slight changes to the traditional veggie lasagna that would satisfy Garfield and my waistline and also be kind to my arteries. And that’s how I came up with this tasty and satisfying vegetarian zucchini lasagna recipe.

Recipe for lasagna with zucchini instead of pasta

To make a zucchini noodle lasagna, I started by ditching the pasta. Instead, of using high-carb, white flour lasagna noodles, I made zucchini noodles. Standard lasagna noodles are made with refined wheat flour, which has been stripped of all fiber, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.

Best of all, replacing the noodles with zucchini makes this pasta dish much lower-carb and naturally gluten-free.

TO TRY: Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

The nutrition in zucchini noodles

Zucchini, however, is high in fiber, water, vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. As you can see, zucchini offers an abundance of nutrients to support your health. The water and fiber in this versatile summer squash help you manage your weight by providing low-calorie volume.

All the vitamins and minerals in zucchini also boost your immune system. And they are great for your heart, lungs, skin, and eyes. Plus it’s really fun making the zucchini noodles for lasagna (aka zoodles) with a vegetable peeler. And the resulting dish is a low carb veggie lasagna.

TO TRY: Low-Carb Zucchini Roll Ups

Make your no noodle lasagna with the best cheese

To make this zucchini vegetarian lasagna feel more decadent, I used whole fat ricotta and mozzarella instead of skim.

Surprised?

Here’s the reason. Low fat and non fat dairy items often have a lot of sugar added to them and most of their nutrients and vitamins taken out. You actually need the fat from dairy in order to absorb the calcium from it.

Some saturated fats have gotten an unfairly bad rap for too long. Studies show that incorporating whole fat dairy into your diet can reduce the risk of diabetes, some cancer, and actually help you lose weight! And, of course, let’s not forget to consider that cheese is an aphrodisiac.

A vegetarian lasagna with tofu

In addition to nutritious, high quality cheese, I add tofu to this easy zucchini lasagna recipe. Don’t run for the hills yet! Studies show that regularly eating tofu provides an excellent amount of energy, calcium, protein, total fat, carbohydrates, and fiber to your diet.

In its natural state tofu fairly bland. But this is not a bad thing! It’s a great addition to meals because it will take on the flavor of the other ingredients in a dish. And don’t forget, tofu is on our list of the 10 Best Foods for Women.

Another reason you’ll love this zucchini vegetable lasagna

Of course, my lasagna with zucchini noodles wouldn’t be complete without nutrient and flavor-rich garlic.

This little bulb is also a powerhouse of immune-boosting nutrients including manganese, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, and is a good source of thiamin or vitamin B1, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, potassium, iron and copper.

Garlic also contains high levels of allicin, which increases blood flow which is excellent for your libido.

TO TRY: Check out more of our vegetarian recipes

Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna

Print Recipe

This recipe shows you how to make a craving-worthy lasagna without the noodles. This virtual carb-free version replaces pasta with zucchini.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Dish Type pasta

Cooking Style Easy, Vegetarian

Diet and Health gluten-free, Healthy, low carb

Seasonal autumn, spring, summer

Ingredient zucchini

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Servings servings

Author Vanessa Vanya

Ingredients

1 can whole peeled plum tomatoes with juice, 28-ounce
2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tbsp plus 1/4 teaspoon olive oil
1 small onion finely chopped
3 large zucchini ends trimmed
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
12 oz firm tofu drained and pressed
2 garlic cloves minced
1 1/2 cup whole ricotta cheese
1/2 cup whole shredded mozzarella
coarse salt and pepper

Instructions

To make the sauce, pulse tomatoes with their juice in a food processor until finely chopped. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium. Cook onion and red pepper flakes, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes. Coarsely crumble tofu and stir into sauce with chopped oregano and basil; season with salt. Let cool.
To make the lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice zucchini lengthwise into thin strips using vegetable peeler. Place 5 or 6 zucchini slices, overlapping slightly, in the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Top with 1 cup sauce. Dot evenly with 1/4 cup ricotta and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat twice with zucchini, remaining sauce, and 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining zucchini; brush with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Dot with remaining ricotta and evenly sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella and season with pepper. Bake, uncovered, until lasagna bubbles and top browns, 50 to 60 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Pin my favorite healthy lasagna recipe with zucchini noodles:

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Vanessa Vanya

As a student of nutrition and a lover of great food, Vanessa Vanya contributes some of her favorite recipes to help keep your libido pumping and your stomach full. You may be surprised to learn that although Vanessa is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she is also a talented visual artist. And she recently traded in work at her nutritional consulting company, Tangerine Green Wellness to become a full-time illustrator. But she still creates delicious plant-based meals for friends and family.

Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna Recipe

How to curb that lasagna craving a healthier way