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Zucchini Lasagna With Turkey

A lighter take on lasagna, swapping traditional noodles for zucchini slices, layered with ground turkey, marinara, and cheese.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Fresh Produce
  • 3 medium Zucchini Firm and sliced thinly
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 handful Fresh basil, chopped For garnish
Meat
  • 1 pound Lean ground turkey (93% lean)
Dairy
  • 1.5 cups Whole milk cottage cheese, drained Must be drained to avoid a watery lasagna
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1.75 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
Pantry Staples
  • 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Fine sea salt Divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 jar Marinara sauce (24 ounces)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Set the cottage cheese in a fine mesh sieve over a bowl to drain.
Slice and Sweat the Zucchini
  1. Trim and slice the zucchini into thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick.
  2. Arrange the zucchini slices in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes, then blot the slices with a dish towel to remove moisture.
Cook the Turkey and Marinara Mixture
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute.
  2. Add the ground turkey and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, cooking for approximately 8 minutes until no pink remains.
  3. Drain excess liquid, stir in the marinara sauce, and set aside to cool slightly.
Mix the Creamy Cheese Filling
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine drained cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, dried parsley, and black pepper. Stir until smooth.
Layer Everything Together
  1. Spread 1 cup of turkey mixture across the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Layer half of the zucchini slices, followed by 1 cup of turkey mixture, half of the cottage cheese filling, and 3/4 cup of mozzarella. Repeat the process.
  3. Finish with remaining marinara and mozzarella on top.
Bake, Rest, and Serve
  1. Bake for about 35 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  2. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

Blot zucchini slices thoroughly to avoid excess moisture. Properly drain cottage cheese. Let the dish rest after baking for neat slices.