Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups
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Swap out the lasagna noodles for zucchini. It’s LOW CARB & so much healthier! You won’t miss the noodles at all!
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Thank you for sharing this recipe!
So when I made this for dinner one night, Ben said, “Oh, wow. This doesn’t suck.” I didn’t know what to make of that reaction. Then, about 3 minutes and 22 seconds later, he said, “Babe, I don’t know where this ranks in the things you’ve made but this definitely makes top 5.”
So that should basically summarize what this meal is all about.
We swap out the lasagna noodles for zucchini and roll them up in everything that is good in life – crumbled sausage, ricotta, Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, which is then baked in a pool of marinara sauce.
With everything that’s happening here, you won’t even miss the lasagna noodles. I promise. Plus, it’s low-carb, it makes enough to feed an army, and it is DUDE-friendly.
tips and tricks for success
- Salt the zucchini. Because zucchini has a high water content (94% water), salting the zucchini beforehand will help draw out the excess water, making it firmer and avoiding mushy, limp zucchini.
- Use your favorite meat. Italian sausage, ground beef, chicken or turkey will all work well here.
- Make ahead of time. Lasagna is a great dish to make ahead of time. Prep and assemble overnight, covered with aluminum foil and stored in the fridge.
- Freeze before baking. This will preserve the texture and prevent sogginess. Always use a freezer-safe baking dish, label, date and freeze up to 2 months.
what to serve with zucchini lasagna roll ups
Tools For This Recipe
Large cast iron skillet
Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups: Frequently Asked Questions
Zucchini can vary so much in size but 3 large zucchini should be about 2 pounds.
Zucchini is very high in water and the salt will help draw out excess water.
Ground beef, chicken or turkey can be used instead of Italian sausage.
Absolutely! But because dried herbs are often more potent/concentrated than fresh herbs, you need less when using dry. The correct ratio is 1 tablespoon fresh herbs to 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
You can use your favorite kind of marinara sauce but we personally love Rao’s.
You can assemble ahead of time and store in the refrigerator, up to 24 hours in advance, baking right before serving.
Yes! Let cool completely; cover the roll ups tightly with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. For the best results, we recommend assembling, freezing then baking to help prevent any sogginess. But if you’ve already baked your roll ups, no worries at all – it can still be frozen!
Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups
Ingredients
- 3 large zucchini, trimmed and sliced lengthwise into 24 ⅛-inch-thick strips
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Lay zucchini slices flat in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Season with salt, to taste; let stand 15 minutes.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the sausage as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- In a medium bowl, combine sausage, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, basil and garlic; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce sauce onto the bottom of a large cast iron skillet over; set aside.
- Spread 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture evenly along each zucchini slice; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese. Roll up and place in the prepared skillet; repeat with remaining zucchini slices and filling. Top with remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
- Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lasagna rolls are heated through and the cheese is beginning to brown.
- Serve immediately.
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This is brilliant, on so many levels! I love your recipes, and am excited to try this one next (tonight)! Heartfelt thanks.
Of course Lizette! I hope you’ll enjoy it!
Do you wipe off the salt? I can use the zucchini raw, right? (Please say yes.)
No, the salt is not wiped off. The zucchini is cooked in step #7.
You had me at low-carb. This is such a great alternative recipe. Can’t wait to try this <3
E || OH LA LATKES
Let us know how it turns out!
Curious….why could you do this on the stove top with a lid on top of the pan??
Hi Deanna! Unfortunately, without further recipe testing, I cannot answer with certainty. As always, please use your best judgment regarding substitutions and modifications.
Hi Chungah, This recipe looks so good! I am eager to try this. I don’t own a cast iron skillet or any skillet that is oven proof. Will this recipe work in a 9×13 baking pan instead? Thanks! Dawn
Yes, absolutely!
I intend to try this excellent-looking recipe.
Regarding getting the zucchini slices properly thin — do you have any suggestions on technique? A vegetable peeler, maybe?
Thank you.
A vegetable peeler would work perfectly!
A vegetable peeler didn’t work for me- maybe I have a crappy one. I used a mandolin slicer, verrrry carrrrefullly
How are we keeping zucchini from unrolling?
If the zucchini wants to unroll, you can secure with toothpicks.
WHERE IS THE NUTRITIONAL INFO FOR THIS MEAL? THIS LOOKS AND SOUNDS GREAT! i HOPE IT IS NOT HIGH IN CALORIES.
THANKS,
JASON
Hi Jason, nutritional info is now added.
I see it now 6 servings. Just need to take my Betsy shades. Keep the recipes coming!
How many people (approx) does this recipe feed.. or a better question would be how many rolls does the recipe make… I need to prepare for approximately 40 people and this looks yummy!
Looks delicious! I have 2 questions:
(1) what’s your secret to getting the zucchini slices so perfectly thin and uniform? Are you slicing by hand or using some kind of utensil?
(2) do you have any issues with the rolls coming apart? Is the ricotta and mozzarella enough to make it stick and stay tightly rolled? Would you need to use toothpicks to keep together?
I’ve often wanted to sub zucchini for noodles in a lasagna type of dish but have never done so…however, I have zucchini in the fridge that needs to be used…I’m thinking this might be what’s for dinner tonight!
Thanks!
1. A vegetable peeler would be perfect for this!
2. It should stay together but you can also use toothpicks to secure the rolls.
As a single person I modified the recipe into one person serving. I used the air fryer and it turned out so good!!!!! Love your recipes!!!!
how many carbs does this have?
Nutritional info is now posted below the recipe.
This looks like a gorgeous bouquet of zucchini roses 🙂
Ha! So true!
This will be perfect for a group of friends coming next month. I know you said I could freeze, but could I prep early in the day or night before and store in the fridge and cook that evening? Also, if I freeze, so I thaw or bake frozen? Thank you!!!
Yes, you can prep ahead of time. If frozen, I recommend thawing overnight. I hope that helps, Bryn!