By: Sarah Lohm, Dietetic Intern

If you love lasagna but are looking for a lighter twist on the classic, our protein-packed zucchini lasagna will be your new dinner delight! It’s made with wholesome ingredients like tender zucchini, protein-rich cottage cheese, savory tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella for a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and nourishing. With plenty of protein and fresh veggies in every serving, it’s the perfect way to enjoy all the cheesy goodness of lasagna without the heaviness!

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Cleaning Up Your Classics!

Comfort foods are known for being indulgent, but that doesn’t mean their aren’t ways to but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to make them more nourishing without losing their flavor. By taking a closer look at each ingredient, you can swap, boost, or tweak components to perfect a version that’s lighter, packed with nutrients, and still incredibly satisfying! Our zucchini lasagna is a perfect example – each layer is still designed to deliver all the cheesy, comforting goodness of the classic while sneaking in extra veggies, protein, and wholesome ingredients!

Swap (or Keep) the Pasta: Lasagna noodles are classic for a reason – they’re comforting and delicious, and you can absolutely keep them if that’s what you love. But if you tend to enjoy bigger portions or just want to sneak in more veggies, swapping in thinly sliced zucchini is a simple way to boost fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. It keeps the dish hearty and satisfying while adding a fresh, veggie-forward twist

Cheese Choices: Creamy ricotta and mozzarella are essential for that classic lasagna texture, but you can lighten it up without losing the flavor. Try swapping the ricotta for cottage cheese, you likely won’t even notice the difference in taste or creaminess. This simple change boosts protein and keeps the dish lighter, making every bite satisfying and nourishing!

Boosting the Sauce: Using a tomato-based sauce packed with herbs and veggies adds flavor, fiber, and antioxidants. Skip sauces with added sugar and go for homemade or low-sodium options to keep it healthy.

Add Extra Veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers add bulk, fiber, and vitamins without taking away from the indulgent flavor. The more color on your plate, the more nutrient variety you’re getting. Once everything is baked together – you likely won’t be able to taste the additions!

Mindful Protein: Protein helps make your meal satisfying. When choosing your meat option, look for lean ground beef, turkey, or chicken options! You can also keep it vegetarian by relying on the protein from cottage cheese, or even adding plant-based options. Either way, you’ll get a filling, nourishing lasagna!

Let’s Make It!

Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F. Begin by slicing the zucchini lengthwise into thin strips. Arrange in a single layer on paper towels and lightly sprinkle with salt to draw out excess moisture. Top with another layer of paper towels and set aside. 

Step Two: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and add the ground turkey and cook until browned. Stir in the seasonings, then add half of the jar of sauce. In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, egg, and half the Italian seasoning. Spread the remaining sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step Three: Layer with zucchini slices, half of the cottage cheese mixture, and half of the turkey mixture. Repeat layers, then top with shredded cheese.

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU TRY IT!

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