A healthier alternative to traditional lasagna! Cottage cheese adds lots of protein to this dish, without being high in fat. I used dry cottage cheese in this dish, but ricotta is a great alternative. You can also use regular cottage cheese and drain the liquid! Check out the recipe below.
Serves 3-4
INGREDIENTS
2 zucchinis, sliced thinly
1 cup dry cottage cheese, ricotta, or regular cottage cheese drained
1 egg
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
SAUCE
Good store-bought tomato sauce OR
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp basil, chopped or dried
1 tsp oregano
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375F. Slice zucchini into 1/8” sliced lengthwise. I use a mandolin. Set aside.
2. If making homemade sauce, in a large pot heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute for about 5 minutes or until translucent. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and cook with the onion and garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add the tomato sauce, including juices, to the pot. Add the basil and oregano, salt and pepper, to taste. Allow sauce to cook and reduce for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes (or more). Taste and add sugar, 1 tsp at a time, if sauce is too acidic.
4. In a separate bowl combine the cottage cheese, egg and seasonings. Stir to combine. If using regular cottage cheese, you can put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
5. To assemble the lasagna put a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of a baking dish of your choosing. Top with zucchini noodles in a single layer, then with the cottage cheese mixture and then with more sauce. Repeat this order until all your ingredients are used up. I like to end with a little bit extra tomato sauce on top, then finish the dish with the crumbles of cottage cheese mixture.
6. Cover with tin foil bake in the oven for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the tin foil and allow to cook for a further 10 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Enjoy!
Xo
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