Four-Cheese Zucchini Lasagna

Name: Four-Cheese Zucchini Lasagna
Yield: 6 - 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter; 1 chopped onion; 3 minced cloves garlic; 1 lb (450 g) extra-lean ground beef; 1/2 lb (225 g) lean ground pork; 1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes no salt added; 1 can (156 mL) tomato paste no salt added; 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano; 1 tsp (5 mL) dried basil; Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; 3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Provolone shredded; 3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Mozzarella shredded; 3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Friulano shredded; 3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Mild Cheddar shredded; 5 medium zucchini cut lengthwise; sliced thick

Our dietitians' favourite

A fresh-tasting variation on lasagna that delivers hearty flavour. A perfect way to use the zucchini that start turning up in grocery stores and farmers’ markets in fall.

Prep: 20 min
Cooking: 1 h 10 - 1 h 15

Yields 6 - 8 servings

Ingredients

1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1 chopped onion
3 minced cloves garlic
1 lb (450 g) extra-lean ground beef
1/2 lb (225 g) lean ground pork
1 can (796 mL) diced tomatoes no salt added
1 can (156 mL) tomato paste no salt added
1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
1 tsp (5 mL) dried basil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Provolone shredded
3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Mozzarella shredded
3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Friulano shredded
3/4 cup (180 mL) Canadian Mild Cheddar shredded
5 medium zucchini cut lengthwise, sliced thick

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Cook onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add meat and cook for 5 minutes. Break up meat by stirring. Incorporate tomatoes, tomato paste and herb; add salt and pepper to taste. Cover and let simmer 30 minutes on medium-low heat.

Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C).

Mix the 4 shredded cheeses together in one bowl.

Spread out zucchini slices on baking sheets and cook in the oven for 12–15 minutes. Transfer to a colander and let drain for 5 minutes.

Cover bottom of a lasagna dish with meat sauce. Arrange zucchini slices slightly overlapped in a single layer. Top with meat sauce and cheese. Repeat layers: zucchini, meat sauce and top with cheese. Cook in the oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

Choose extra-lean meat to avoid excess liquid and fat. The recipe can be easily frozen before or after cooking. If uncooked and frozen, cook at 325 °F (160 °C) for 1 hour 15 minutes; for precooked and frozen, cook 15 minutes less.

Cheese alternatives: Canadian Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack.