ZUCCHINI LASAGNA WITH SPICY TURKEY MEAT SAUCE

A healthy, low carb zucchini lasagna with a flavorful turkey meat sauce. Packed with veggies, protein and delicious flavor. This will be your new favorite freezer-friendly meal!

If you’ve never experienced zucchini lasagna, you’re in for a delicious surprise! The zucchini replaces the noodles and is topped with layers of an incredible turkey meat sauce and lots of ricotta and mozzarella. Next time I’d probably add mushrooms, pepperoni slices, or perhaps more roasted veggies. Either way, it’s love!

Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Meat Sauce
A noodle-less, low carb zucchini lasagna with an incredible turkey meat sauce! Cheesy, protein-packed, low carb and you get your veggies in. What more is there to say?! You must try this lovely dinner!



INGREDIENTS

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 4 large zucchini, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 - 14 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 - 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoon dried oregano
• handful of basil, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• handful of parsley, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 teaspoon red cayenne pepper, if desired
• red pepper flakes, if desired
• salt and pepper, to taste

For the ricotta cheese mixture:

• 15 oz part skim ricotta
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 ounces reduced fat or part skim shredded mozzarella cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Place sliced zucchini on large baking sheet coated with non stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes to help dry out the zucchini a bit. This is a critical step.
3. While the zucchini noodles are roasting, you can make the turkey meat sauce. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic, onions, and peppers and cook a few minutes until onions become translucent and garlic is fragrant; stir occasionally so that you don't burn it. Add in ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Add in tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, parsley, and a few dashes of red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 25 to 30 minutes or until sauce really thickens up! (If it needs to be thicker, I suggest adding in another tablespoon or two of tomato paste.) Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat to cool.
4. In a medium bowl, combine egg white, ricotta, and Parmesan. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Add in 1/2 cup of the slightly cooled meat sauce and stir to combine.
5. To assemble lasagna, spread 1/2 of the turkey meat sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Place zucchini slices evenly over meat sauce, spread on 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, then sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella on. Repeat layers again starting with the meat sauce, zucchini slices and ricotta mixture and finishing with mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake for 30 min. Remove foil and bake for 15 minute longer uncovered. Makes 8 very generous servings.!

Recipe Adapted : Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Meat Sauce @ ambitiouskitchen