Zucchini Roll-Ups

Whether you follow a low-carb diet or just have a lot of garden-fresh zucchini on hand, zucchini roll-ups make a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. In this recipe, we roll thinly sliced zucchini around a seasoned ricotta filling, then top with a simple from-scratch tomato sauce. Serve the rollatini as a side dish for baked salmon or chicken.

Zucchini Roll-Ups Ingredients

• Ricotta: Ricotta is a smooth and creamy cheese with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The recipe calls for part-skim ricotta, but for a richer flavor, use whole-milk ricotta.
• Italian seasoning: Use a store-bought blend, or make Italian seasoning from scratch using dried herbs.
• Zucchini: Zucchini is a type of summer squash. Its mild flavor and firm texture make it an excellent low-carb substitute for pasta. Choose medium to large zucchini that are slightly wider in shape, as they will be easier to cut into strips.
• Tomato sauce: Fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste are combined to make a hearty tomato sauce. Though nearly any type of tomato will work in this recipe, we recommend using plum tomatoes.
• Parmesan cheese: Shred the Parmesan yourself for the best flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the ricotta filling

Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Fill the roll-ups

Slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices. (You should have 12 slices.) Top each slice with 1 rounded tablespoon ricotta cheese mixture. Roll up, and secure with toothpicks. Place seam side down in an ungreased 8-inch baking dish.

Editor’s Tip: Use a mandoline slicer to easily cut the zucchini into thin strips.

Step 3: Stir together the sauce

Combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Pour over the rolls.

Step 4: Bake the roll-ups

Cover and bake the zucchini lasagna roll-ups until bubbly, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the toothpicks before serving. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Variations

• Stir in fresh herbs and vegetables: Add freshly chopped basil, oregano or parsley to the ricotta filling. Or stir cooked spinach or sauteed mushrooms into the ricotta mixture.
• Make a meat sauce: Use a red meat sauce for spaghetti instead of tomato sauce. For even heartier zucchini lasagna roll-ups, add crumbled Italian sausage or ground beef to the filling.
• Use store-bought sauce: To save time, use jarred pasta sauce instead of making the tomato sauce topping from scratch.

How to Store Zucchini Roll-Ups

Store leftover zucchini lasagna roll-ups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. To reheat, transfer the roll-ups to an oven-safe baking dish, then cover and heat in a 350° oven for 20 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

Can you make zucchini roll-ups ahead of time?

Yes! You can preassemble the roll-ups and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to put them in the oven. Or whip up the ricotta cheese filling and store it separately from the zucchini slices until you’re ready to assemble.

Either way, don’t prep the dish or ingredients more than 24 hours in advance.

Can you freeze zucchini roll-ups?

Yes, this recipe is a great make-ahead freezer meal. Use a freezer-safe baking dish, and prep the recipe up to the baking step. Then cover the container tightly, and freeze for up to three months.

You can also freeze cooked zucchini roll-ups; just allow them to cool completely before freezing. Bake from frozen in a 350° oven for 45 to 60 minutes or until heated through. You can reduce the cook time by thawing overnight in the refrigerator.

Zucchini Roll-Ups Tips

How can you prevent watery zucchini roll-ups?

Zucchini has a high water content, which can lead to watery roll-ups. To prevent this, use a paper towel to pat each slice of zucchini dry before adding the ricotta mixture. Another trick is to salt each zucchini slice with a sprinkle of kosher salt 15 minutes ahead of time to draw out excess moisture. Blot dry before making the roll-ups.

What can you serve with zucchini roll-ups?

Serve the zucchini lasagna roll-ups as a main dish with a high-protein salad on the side. Or serve the roll-ups as a side dish with grilled steak, Italian pan-fried chicken or baked salmon.