Make Meatless Lasagna Taste Amazing With Eggplant and Zucchini

This meal requires just one pan, skips the greasy beef, and crams in the vegetables

August 21, 2017
eggplant and zucchini lasagna
Ted Cavanaugh

What's pizza without cheese? Tortilla chips without guac? And lasagna...without beef? It sounds kind of bland, right? But trust us, you don't even need meat to make this comfort food classic taste delicious.

Thanks to all of its good-for-you vegetables, this recipe still packs a tasty punch. Plus, you'll still incorporate all of your favorite Italian flavors, like tomatoes, garlic, and ricotta cheese.

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6 Superfoods That May Be Myths: 

Just watch your garlic as you cook. Tossing raw garlic into burning hot oil is a recipe for disaster. To avoid burning it, add your garlic to room temperature oil and then turn up the heat—it will smell great and taste even better.

Follow the recipe below to make the best meatless lasagna you'll ever taste.

Eggplant and Zucchini Lasagna

What You'll Need

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 white onion, diced
  • 1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • zest of 1/2 lemon
  • 6 basil leaves, chopped, plus more for serving
  • 3 parsley sprigs (leaves only), chopped
  • 1 small eggplant, thinly sliced
  • 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
  • 8 oz fresh part-skim mozzarella, sliced

How to Make It:

1. In a cast-iron pan on medium high, heat the oil, garlic, and onion, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes; stir occasionally till thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.

2. In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, zest, and herbs; season with salt and pepper.

3. Heat the oven to 400°F. Spoon out half the sauce; set aside. Now do layers in the pan: half the vegetables; half the ricotta mix; repeat; the rest of the sauce; mozzarella. Bake in the oven, lid on, till tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover and bake till the cheese is bubbly, another 5 to 10 minutes. Using oven mitts, remove the pan. Cool. Slice.

 

Makes six servings.

Per serving: 313 calories, 21g protein, 16g carbs (4g fiber), 20g fat

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