Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups

5 from 15 votes
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Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups are made with thin zucchini slices rolled around a delicious ricotta filling, then baked in tomato sauce and topped with cheese. A healthier, low carb lasagna option that’s not only delicious, but also very easy and quick to make.

Zucchini lasagna roll ups arranged and baked in a white baking dish.


 

Zucchini lasagna roll ups are my favorite twist on traditional lasagna rolls, right up there with my eggplant rollatini recipe. This recipe features zucchini slices rolled up in bundles with a delicious ricotta filling, baked in tomato sauce, and topped with melted cheese. This dish is a game-changer, especially for those keeping an eye on their carb intake. Trust me, I can easily eat a whole pan of these, and they are always a hit with my family. It’s like a cheesy, baked zucchini casserole and it’s loved by everyone, even the kids who don’t mind the green veggie when it’s covered in cheese!

These zucchini roll ups are not only healthier but also quicker to make than regular lasagna, making them the perfect weeknight meal. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile! You can stuff them with all sorts of fillings – meat sauce, mushroom and cheese, chicken, or even a vegan option. Whatever you choose, you’re in for a treat.

Overhead photo of zucchini lasagna rollups bundles in a dish.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this zucchini roll-ups recipe, you’ll need just some simple ingredients, mostly cheese, zucchini, and tomato sauce. These basics come together to create a delicious and healthy dinner!

  • Zucchini: Sliced lengthwise to create the “noodles” for the rollups. For this part, I use my handy mandoline slicer.
  • Baby Spinach: I use a couple of cups of spinach, saute it quickly, and then I mix it into the ricotta cheese filling.
  • Ricotta Cheese: Forms the creamy base of the filling.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty, salty flavor, but you can also use Pecorino Romano.
  • Egg: Helps bind the filling together.
  • Garlic: I like to use fresh garlic for flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
  • Italian Seasoning: Enhances the overall flavor with a blend of herbs. Other dried herbs like oregano, rosemary, and basil are okay to use.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: To taste, used for seasoning the filling and zucchini slices.
  • Tomato Sauce or Marinara Sauce: Poured over the rollups for a rich, savory base. Your favorite pasta sauce or canned crushed tomatoes with added Italian seasoning are a good substitute.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded and melted on top for a cheesy finish. Any mild, melty cheese like Monterey Jack or cheddar will work.
  • Fresh Basil: Sliced thinly and used as a garnish. Other fresh herbs, like fresh parsley or cilantro, are okay to use.

How To Make Zucchini Roll Ups

Your (our) low-carb dreams have come true. Here’s how to make these delicious lasagna bundles with zucchini instead of noodles!

  1. Prep. Preheat your oven to 350°F and spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 9-inch baking dish.
  2. Cut the zucchini. Slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Lay them flat on a paper towel-lined surface, sprinkle with salt, and let them sit for 15 minutes.
  3. Make the cheese filling. Wilt the spinach in a skillet over medium heat, then let it cool. In a bowl, mix the spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4. Fill the zucchini. Pat the zucchini slices dry and place a spoonful of the ricotta mixture on each slice. Roll up the zucchini slices and place them seam-side down in the baking dish.
  5. Bake. Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the rolls and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is bubbly.
  6. Rest and serve. Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.
Overhead photo of zucchini lasagna roll ups in a dish with a spoon taking one bundle out of the baking dish.

Recipe Tips And Variations

  • Remove Excess Water: Salt the zucchini slices for about 15 minutes before adding the filling to remove excess moisture.
  • Secure the Rolls: If your zucchini rolls are unrolling, secure the ends with toothpicks.
  • Prevent Soggy Rolls: Pat the zucchini slices dry after salting to ensure they don’t get soggy during baking.
  • Customize the Filling: Feel free to experiment with different fillings like ground turkey, mushrooms, or a mix of your favorite veggies.
  • Adjust Baking Time: Keep an eye on the baking time; if your zucchini slices are thicker, they might need a few extra minutes in the oven.

What To Serve with Zucchini Roll Ups

These cheesy lasagna-style zucchini bundles make a delicious dish that pairs well with a crisp Mediterranean Cobb salad or a tangy coleslaw. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, garlic bread or a side of roasted vegetables like roasted green beans or Brussels sprouts will be perfect.

You can also serve them with a bowl of our favorite alphabet soup for a cozy meal. No matter how you choose to serve them, these roll-ups will be loved by all!

Close-up photo of zucchini lasagna rollups in a dish.

Making Zucchini Roll Ups Ahead Of Time

Prepare the zucchini lasagna bundles, set them in a baking dish, cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

How To Store Leftovers

Leftover zucchini roll-ups can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. To freeze, prepare the zucchini roll-ups, set them in a baking dish, cover them with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before baking.

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5 from 15 votes

Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups

Zucchini Lasagna Rollups are here to make your dinner both delicious and healthy! Slices of zucchini are rolled up with a yummy ricotta filling, baked in a rich tomato sauce, and topped with melted cheese. This low-carb lasagna is super tasty, easy, and quick to whip up.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 2 to 3 firm zucchini, sliced lengthwise, ¼-inch thick (you will need 12 slices)
  • 8 to 10 ounce bag baby spinach, 10 ounces baby spinach
  • cups fat free ricotta cheese, or regular ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups tomato sauce or marinara sauce
  • ¾ cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
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Instructions 

  • Prep. Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 9-inch baking dish. Set aside.
  • Prepare the zucchini. Slice the zucchini and arrange the slices flat on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet (or any other flat surface), sprinkle them with salt, and set aside for 15 minutes.
  • Cook the spinach. Spray a skillet with cooking spray and set over medium heat. Add spinach to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes or until wilted. Remove spinach from skillet and let cool for a couple of minutes.
  • Combine. In a medium bowl, combine the prepared baby spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Fill. Lay out the zucchini slices on a cutting board (or any other working surface), wipe them down, and place a spoonful of the ricotta mixture on top of each slice.
  • Roll. Roll up the zucchini around the filling and transfer the bundles to the prepared baking dish, seam-side down. Repeat the process with the remaining zucchini and ricotta mixture.
  • Bake. Spoon marinara over the zucchini and add shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and the zucchini is tender.
  • Finish. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with basil ribbons and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 3rollups | Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 86mg | Sodium: 751mg | Potassium: 839mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 6169IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 528mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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35 Comments

  1. Diana says:

    Which blade did you use on your Mandoline slicer?

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Hi! The mandolin slicer I have is with just one blade and it’s adjustable… here’s a (affiliate) link to it on Amazon – so far, it’s the best one I’ve ever owned https://amzn.to/2YsmWOS
      For this recipe, I adjust the slicer to cut at around 1/4-inch thickness. I hope this helps.

  2. Mary says:

    Are there ay other substitutes for the ricotta?

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Hi! I’ve used cream cheese for the entire filling and I’ve tried it with feta cheese. You can also try cottage cheese, or even sour cream in place of ricotta.

    2. Diana Iversen says:

      I’m salt sensitive; makes my blood pressure go up so I eliminated the salt step. Instead, I put the zucc’s on a baking sheet in the oven at 325 for 3-5 minutes so they would soften and dry up a bit. This worked out great! The zucc was soft enough to roll and had no water during prep nor afterward when baked. It was a major hit with everyone, including the kids!!!

      1. karen a barber says:

        agreed with lightly drying out in the oven or dehydrator. I even make extra and keep it on hand in the freezer or fridge

  3. michelle says:

    looks great! Will have to try

  4. Aimee Shugarman says:

    Delicious way to use up all my zucchini from the garden!

  5. Sabrina says:

    So perfect for satisfying your lasagna craving while not feeling so guilty afterwards!

  6. Jenni says:

    This is a perfect recipe for when the weather is screaming fall but your garden is still chugging out zucchini like no tomorrow! What a great comfort dish!

  7. Kitty says:

    Perfect for summer! Our basil plants are so big and bushy weโ€™ve been eating Italian meals every other night. Pinning this!

  8. Sabrina B says:

    great good carb for bad carb swap, thank you, also good reminder about removing excess water cause of the water in the zucchini, would have forgot otherwise since I’m used to making this with pasta!

  9. Elaine Zimmermann says:

    Made these for my family tonight. They were delicious!!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      Hi!
      So happy you enjoyed them! Thank YOU! ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Coraline says:

    I love this carb free lasagna! Amazing this zucchini recipe!