Description
A delicious and healthy dish featuring layers of zucchini, ricotta cheese, and marinara sauce, topped with melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sprinkle the zucchini slices with salt and let them sit for about 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat them dry with a paper towel.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini slices in a single layer and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are tender and slightly golden. Remove from heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the zucchini slices over the sauce.
- Spoon half of the ricotta mixture over the zucchini, then add another layer of marinara sauce. Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini, ricotta mixture, and marinara sauce.
- Top the final layer with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider mixing in some chopped spinach or sautéed mushrooms into the ricotta mixture.
- To make it a heartier dish, layer cooked ground turkey or beef between the zucchini layers for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg