Zucchini Lasagna Rolls with Smoked Mozzarella

4.5

(17)

14 Reviews

This healthy riff on lasagna rolls uses strips of zucchini instead of lasagna noodles for a vegetable-packed dinner that's fun for the whole family. This is a great recipe for kids to help make—let them get their hands dirty rolling the zucchini ribbons with the cheesy filling.

Joy Howard

Updated on April 18, 2024

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Reviewed by Dietitian

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Prep Time:

30 mins

Additional Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

Yield:

24 rolls

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Low-Sodium Soy-Free High-Protein Gluten-Free Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Notes

Is Zucchini Healthy?

Zucchini is a low-carb summer squash that is high in vitamin C. It also provides some folate, potassium and magnesium. Zucchini is rich in the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Altogether, zucchini supports eye, heart, bone and skin health.

Are the Cheeses In This Dish Good for You?

All three types of cheese in this dish made our list of the healthiest cheeses to buy. In general, cheese provides several nutrients, including protein, calcium, vitamin A, phosphorous and choline. And while cheese contains saturated fat, the type of saturated fat in cheese may not be as harmful as other types. Mozzarella and ricotta cheese are also lower sodium cheese so you can enjoy them in moderation even if you are watching your sodium intake.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

Can I Make This Ahead?

Absolutely. To make ahead: Prepare through Step 6 and refrigerate for up to one day. If you want to freeze a batch, place cooled slices in a container suitable for the freezer and label it with a use-by date. It should be good for about three months.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional reporting by Linda Frahm

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Ingredients

2 large zucchini, trimmed
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
¼ teaspoon salt, divided
8 tablespoons shredded smoked mozzarella cheese, divided
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 ⅓ cups part-skim ricotta
1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 clove garlic, minced
¾ cup low-sodium marinara sauce, divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 425°F. Coat 2 rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
Slice zucchini lengthwise to get 24 total strips, about 1/8 inch thick each.
Toss the zucchini, oil, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Arrange the zucchini in single layers on the prepared pans.
Bake the zucchini, turning once, until tender, about 10 minutes total.
Meanwhile, combine 2 tablespoons mozzarella and 1 tablespoon Parmesan in a small bowl. Set aside. Mix egg, ricotta, spinach, garlic and the remaining 6 tablespoons mozzarella, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
Spread 1/4 cup marinara in an 8-inch-square baking dish. Place 1 tablespoon of the ricotta mixture near the bottom of a strip of zucchini. Roll it up and place, seam-side down, in the baking dish. Repeat with the remaining zucchini and filling. Top the rolls with the remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce and sprinkle with the reserved cheese mixture.
Bake the zucchini rolls until bubbly and lightly browned on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil before serving.

Tips

To make ahead: Prepare through Step 6 and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

315	Calories
19g	Fat
17g	Carbs
22g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 6 rolls
Calories 315
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 17g	6%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 22g	44%
Total Fat 19g	24%
Saturated Fat 9g	46%
Cholesterol 97mg	32%
Vitamin A 5833IU	117%
Vitamin C 32mg	36%
Folate 118mcg	30%
Sodium 561mg	24%
Calcium 507mg	39%
Iron 2mg	13%
Magnesium 83mg	20%
Potassium 844mg	18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.