Sunday, February 21, 2010

Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna

Hey Foodie friends,

I’ve been struggling a bit with which food direction I would like to go. I would like to lose a few extra pounds and achieve my long desired muscle definition goal. Most research says to dump the carbs and “beef” up proteins in order to kick your metabolism into gear. WELL…I grew up in an Italian family and asking me to give up carbs is like asking me to cut off a limb. So, in short I’m making a few tweeks to our diet. I hope you guys enjoy the ride with us and maybe get a bit closer to your fitness goals too.

Our favorite First Grade teacher shared a Low Carb lasagna recipe with us and to say I was excited to make it would be putting it mildly. I made a few changes to the recipe, actually only the sauce. I/we loved this recipe, even Kerri, our favorite seventh grade teacher, who is not a zucchini fan loved it. And I will have to admit, although don’t tell my mom, I didn’t miss the pasta.

Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna

Recipe adapted from: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Low-Carb Meals

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 (15oz.) can tomato sauce (I made a marinara with turkey sausage and ground turkey which can be found HERE)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (I used Chimichurri instead and that can be found HERE)
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 2 tsp. rosemary
  • 1 ½ c ricotta cheese
  • ½ c grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ½ lb. zucchini, cut lengthwise into ¼ inch slices
  • 4 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Brown ground beef in a large skillet and drain.
  • Stir in tomato sauce, garlic, basil and rosemary.
  • Heat to boiling.
  • Reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes.
  • Mix ricotta, ¼ c Parmesan and egg in small bowl.
  • In 9x13 inch greased baking pan, layer zucchini, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat. Sprinkle ¼ grated Parmesan on top.
  • Bake for 45 minutes.
  • Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
  • Slice into 8 servings.


25 comments:

redkathy said...

Oh yummy yummy and yummy! Love the zucchini/turkey combo. Hubby has cut back on his consumption of carbs, along with the big arm workout, push from the table. He lost almost 40 pounds! I'll have to make this one for him, thanks for sharing it!

redkathy said...

Oh yummy yummy and yummy! Love the zucchini/turkey combo. Hubby has cut back on his consumption of carbs, along with the big arm workout, push from the table. He lost almost 40 pounds! I'll have to make this one for him, thanks for sharing it!

Selba said...

This dish looks delicious and also great to know it's low carb :)

Velva said...

This looks like a very healthy option to traditional lasagna.
Gotta tell you, bread and rice have been sustaining most of the world for thousands of years. My food philosophy is eat in moderation and enjoy. There are no evil foods.

chow and chatter said...

oh looks delicious hope your son is felling better love Rebecca

CookinsForMe said...

I haven't made lasagna in a long time and though I keep hearing and reading about zucchini lasagna I haven't made it yet. I make a lot of LC dishes but this is one I haven't gotten around to. It's about time, I think! I'll try your recipe. Thanks!

Amy Nicole said...

The only reason I am commenting on this post is because the lasagna actually sounds really yummy. But I don't like hearing that you are on a diet because I don't think you need one! Now I'm going to go eat a loaf of bread....... ;P :)

Claudia said...

In the last ten years, I've gotten chubbier every year - due to pasta and breads. I am definitely going to make this - it has all the flavors I love and I won't have to measure out my noodles!

Claudia said...

I would love to post this on the Examiner site and link back to you> May I do that? I looked in my fridge and decided - I am definitely making this tonight!

Jenn@slim-shoppin said...

That does sound so good!

I agree with you, I was thinking that I should kind of back off the carbs I eat. It doesn't hurt to switch things up a bit!

Anonymous said...

Yeah! So glad you like the recipe. I loved it when I made it, too!
Joy

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

Would you make this for me?

Please stop by my blog and pick up your award.

♥peachkins♥ said...

good luck to you and I hope you achieve your goal. Just keep on cooking healthier and delicious food like this.

Karine said...

Great dish! My mom also loves to make lasagna without pasta:)

As for hazelnut meal, you can find it at Whole Foods. Otherwise, if you find it too expensive, you can make your own at own at home by using toasted hazelnuts and grind them in a food processor.

Dewi said...

Sounds like most of us here, I think this low carb version is definitely help to satisfy our need of carb. Sounds delicious.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I am one who definitely likes low carb versions of delicious recipes! The only way I can lose weight is to cut back on carbs, and as much as I love pasta I try to only eat it on special occasions.

This looks fabulous! I can't wait for zucchini season to make a big tray of it!

Nancy said...

Looks like a delicious way to go low carb! I'm trying to avoid sugars and refined carbs so will definitely be giving this a try, probably with the ground turkey. thanks!

Lori Lynn said...

Sounds terrific, I wouldn't miss the carbs at all!
LL

Leslie said...

This looks tasty and easy, my favorite combination!

Judy said...

Great idea to use the zucchini for pasta. I must try this, thanks for posting.

Eva said...

I am always leery of the 'healthy' recipes, you know the ones, where it's good I guess for diet food but it's really not good food. knowing that you consider this actually good makes it something I may try in the summer when my zucchini (hopefully) grow in.

Camille said...

I tried substituting spaghetti squash for actual pasta. My boys took a bite, started to realize it wasn't pasta and just glared at me. I was raised in a Sicilian home and I'm sure my Nonna was turning over in her grave.

However, now that my kids are older and more open to things, I might have to try out this recipe because it looks heavenly!!!

petite nyonya said...

This is not just healthy but looks truly delicious too!

Juliana said...

Cassie, great idea substituting pasta with zucchini, this is a recipe that I must keep in mind :-)

Camilla Baker said...

Looks like we both had lasagne on our mind! (except I ate your pasta!!)
Great goal, I'm thinking of doing my first half marathon so I am in denial re low carbs but I love your recipe!