A delicious low carb meal, zucchini lasagna casserole is so good! And I’ve updated the recipe to include a cool cooking video so you can watch how to make it. You’ll find the video right above the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Sensational taste alert! As I’m writing this, it’s raining heavily outside which has cooled things off a bit and that makes it the kind of day for zucchini sausage and beef casserole. The kind of day when you just want to curl up with some rainy day comfort food.
So here is that recipe for zucchini lasagna casserole that I promised you a few weeks ago. This dish all started when I turned my scrumptious cheese lover’s zucchini casserole side dish into a hearty main dish by adding ground beef and sausage.
Think lasagna with zucchini instead of noodles. Everyone in my family loves this dish, and I’m sure you will too. Each mouthful keeps you salivating for the next bite.
Now one of my favorite dinner recipes, this casserole is also low carb! For more delicious low-carb options that don’t compromise on taste, explore our low-carb collection. It’s brimming with recipes and tricks to keep you happy and feeling well.
Ready to make it? Let’s go.
Ingredients
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As always, I recommend grass-fed beef because it’s healthier and contains more nutrients than its grain-fed counterpart. However, it sometimes can be difficult to find grass-fed beef in supermarkets (and often I’ve seen supermarkets overpricing these meats).
That’s why I was delighted to discover Wellness Meats. Recognized for its exceptional taste, quality and health benefits, their grass-fed beef can be ordered directly online from their website to have it delivered to your door. How easy is that?
And the remaining ingredients are: zucchinis, ground sausage, mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, an egg, parsley, your marinara sauce, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese.
Instructions and step by step images
*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.
Ok, without further ado, here’s how to make zucchini lasagna casserole that really rocks. First, you will make a quick marinara sauce and let it simmer one hour before starting your casserole or you can use your favorite store bought gluten free sauce.
Now for the casserole. Preheat your oven to 400℉. Slice your zucchini into very thin slices.
I use this mandoline slicer. I love this simple tool for cutting up thin strips. The food holder protects your hand from the blade while you slice. The middle picture is a view from underneath where you can see where the slice comes out. Next, line your baking sheet with parchment paper and brush it with oil. Spread the zucchini slices on the oiled paper, sprinkle zucchini with salt and pepper and roast but do not brown, about 5-8 minutes.
Roasting the zucchini will keep the casserole from becoming watery.
Meanwhile, it’s time to cook the sausage.
Today, I have a ground sausage roll (if your sausage is in casings, you’ll need to slip each sausage out of its casing). Add a little oil to your pan, and cook for about 10 minutes. Crumble up the sausage with a spatula while it sautés. Spoon into a bowl and set aside.
And now the ground beef filling. Season with salt. Brown the beef in a pan, drain, and then add sauce and let it simmer for a minute or two.
Then prepare your ricotta cheese mixture: ricotta, an egg, parsley, and salt and pepper
O.K. we’re on the home stretch.
When the zucchini slices are roasted, turn your oven temperature down to 350℉. Spoon some sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. Add one layer of zucchini, a layer of beef mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella.
Then, add another layer of zucchini.
Now top the zucchini with your ricotta mixture.
Now a layer of sausage. Mmm. Can you believe all of this goodness in one meal?
Top with sauce and finally another layer of mozzarella. So pretty and elegant.
Then bake uncovered for 30 minutes letting the delicious aroma fill your house.
Low carb serving suggestions
Serve with Bruschetta Cheese Crisps as an appetizer or side dish and a cup of soup such as, Easy Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup.
Pro Tips And Recipe Notes
- If you’re making homemade sauce, I recommend starting it an hour before you begin the zucchini lasagna and simmer it on the back burner
- Slice your zucchini into very thin slices. I use this mandoline slicer. I love this simple tool for cutting up thin strips.
- Roasting the zucchini before assembling your casserole will keep the casserole from becoming watery.
- For the sausage, I recommend 365 Pork Mild Italian Sausage from Whole Foods which has no nitrites. Also, I’ve used Premio Italian sweet sausage. Go with whichever sausage you prefer. It’s up to you. If your sausage is in casings, you’ll need to slip each sausage out of its casing. Then cook it in a skillet.
- Leftover casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Feast your eyes on this scrumptious slice.
Dinner’s ready. Dig in. There’s plenty for everyone.
More recipes like this
Gluten Free Classic Italian Lasagna: In this recipe I show you how to make gluten free lasagna without the noodles getting sticky or falling apart.
6 Healthy And Delicious Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles) Recipes: Here are my favorite zoodles recipes. They’re so fun to make and very fun to eat too.
Healthy Lemony Marinated Zucchini Salad: Zucchini is delicious raw, especially when it is marinated before being added to a salad.
Watch how to make it!
Zucchini Lasagna Casserole That Really Rocks
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium zucchinis
- extra-virgin olive oil to brush on your parchment paper
- 3 cups of gluten free Marinara sauce homemade or store bought
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound gluten free ground sausage
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- salt
- pepper
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- parmesan cheese if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉
- Slice zucchini into thin slices. Line your baking pan with parchment paper and brush with olive oil. Then spread the zucchini slices on oiled parchment paper and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast about 5-8 minutes. Watch carefully so they do not brown.3-4 medium zucchinis, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper
- Turn oven temperature down to 350℉
- Add a little oil to your skillet and cook ground sausage for about 8-10 minutes. Crumble up the sausage with a spatula while it sautés. Spoon into a bowl and set aside.1 pound gluten free ground sausage
- Season ground beef with salt. Brown the beef in a pan, drain off about half the fat, and then add one cup of sauce, stir and let it simmer for a minute or two. Set aside.1 pound ground beef
- Mix ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper in a bowl. Set aside.16 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 1/4 cup parsley
- Spoon sauce into the bottom of your casserole dish. Layer with zucchini strips, the ground beef mixture, one and a half cups of mozzarella cheese, zucchini strips, ricotta cheese mixture, sausage, one cup of sauce, and the remaining one and a half cups of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes. Let your casserole rest about 15 minutes before slicing and serve with extra sauce and grated parmesan cheese, if you like.parmesan cheese
Notes
- If you're making homemade sauce, I recommend starting it an hour before you begin the zucchini lasagna and simmer it on the back burner
- Slice your zucchini into very thin slices. I use this mandoline slicer. I love this simple tool for cutting up thin strips.
- Roasting the zucchini before assembling your casserole will keep the casserole from becoming watery.
- For the sausage, I recommend 365 Pork Mild Italian Sausage from Whole Foods which has no nitrites. I've also used Premio Italian sweet sausage. Go with whichever sausage you prefer. It's up to you. If your sausage is in casings, you’ll need to slip each sausage out of its casing. Then cook it in a skillet.
- Leftover casserole will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness.
Nutrition
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Francene Stanley says
That looks delicious and so clever. I don’t eat beef, but I could easily substitute a soya meat-free mince or minced chicken. Way to go.
Barbara says
Thank you, Francene. May I have a slice with ground chicken, please? 🙂
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
GAAAAH the ultimate comfort food! I have 6 large zucchinis in my refrigerator RIGHT NOW so I think this recipe came at the perfect time!
Barbara says
For sure. I can’t think of a better recipe for your zucchinis right now.
GiGi Eats says
OH HECK YES!!! I am alllllll about this recipe – however I might swap in nutritional yeast for the cheese since I cannot do dairy! Beef anything turns my taste buds on in negative 5 seconds! lol
Barbara says
GiGi- hi! Sure make the swap for your dietary needs. It’s the sausage and beef along with the tomato sauce that makes this dish… for me.
xdipp.tumblr.com says
Howdy! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone!
Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts!
Keep up the excellent work!
Barbara Bianchi says
Thank you. I love hearing that.