Zucchini Roll Ups Recipe | Joyful Healthy Eats

These zuc،i roll ups are a fun low carb play on the cl،ic lasagna dish. Each zuc،i sliced is stuffed with a ricotta beef filling then topped with tomato sauce and melty mozzarella for a cheesy weeknight bite.

Why You’ll Love These Zuc،i Roll Ups

If you hate endlessly standing over the stove when cooking, these baked zuc،i roll ups with creamy ricotta will be your new favorite dinner.

• Italian-inspired. These tender zuc،i roll ups are great when you’re craving Italian food but don’t want to have pasta.
• Great for weeknights. Pop them into the oven or simply reheat them for an easy, effortless dinner.
• Prep-friendly. Cook the ground beef and make the cheese filling in advance to cut down prep time during the week.
• Versatile. Mix in leftover mushrooms and carrots, or swap the protein for ground turkey.

What You’ll Need

Herby basil, parsley, earthy oregano, and sweet fennel seeds create an Italian-like flavor profile. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact amounts.

Beef Sauce

• Ground beef – If it’s not lean, discard any excess ، from the pan.
• G، seed oil – You can also use olive oil or vegetable oil.
• Garlic powder – Feel free to use fresh garlic or garlic paste.
• Basil – It can be dried or fresh.
• Parsley – Go for fresh or dried parsley. Avoid cilantro because the flavor profiles are very different.
• Oregano – Fresh oregano is great, but remove it from the mixture when you’re done cooking.
• Fennel seeds – This balances out the savoriness of the recipe with subtle and ،y licorice-like flavors.
• Salt – Kosher salt is best.
• Pasta sauce – Add your favorite.

For the Cheese Filling

• Ricotta – Full-، ricotta is easier to spread, but low-، works too.
• Garlic powder – Onion powder is a good swap.
• Oregano – You can swap it for fresh parsley or dill.
• Mozzarella cheese – Don’t use fresh mozzarella for this.
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly-،ed black pepper are best.

For the Roll Ups

• Zuc،i – Make sure the slices are the same thickness for even cooking.
• Salt – Avoid seasoned salts for this because they won’t draw out the moisture well.
• Mozzarella cheese – Add any melty cheese like cheddar, Muenster, or Monterey Jack.

How To Make Zuc،i Lasagna Roll Ups

Don’t add too much filling so that the zuc،i roll ups don’t open in the oven. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.

• Prep the oven. Preheat the oven to 400F. Spread a cup of tomato sauce along the bottom of an 8×8″ baking dish.
• Season it. Place the zuc،i on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. Season with salt and pepper. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
• Brown the beef. Add the oil and ground beef to a large pan over medium-high heat. Use the spatula or a wooden s، to break up any large c،ks. Cook the beef until slightly browned.
• Season it. Stir in the garlic powder, basil, parsley, oregano, fennel seeds, and salt. Cook for another 2 minutes. Add the sauce and mix until well combined and heated through. Set it aside.
• Make the cheese mixture. Combine the cheese filling ingredients in a separate bowl. Set it aside.
• Assemble it. Add a tables، of the cheese mixture to one end of each zuc،i slice. Spread it out and then roll them up. Place the zuc،i rolls vertically in the prepared baking dish. You s،uldn’t be able to see the zuc،is smooth side. Pour the remaining tomato sauce on top.
• Bake it. Pop the baking dish into the oven for 20 minutes. Remove it from the heat and sprinkle with 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella. Bake for another 5 minutes or until melty.
• Serve. Remove it from the heat and let it cool for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

These saucy zuc،i roll ups are a great way to use up leftover veggies, almonds, and creamy dips.

• Swap the protein. Use ground chicken, pork, turkey, or Italian sausage instead of beef for an easy variation.
• Change the herbs. If you don’t have or don’t want to buy basil, parsley, oregano, and fennel seeds for this recipe, you can swap it all for just 1-2 teas،s Italian seasoning.
• Use toothpicks. If your roll ups are opening up, use toothpicks to secure them in place. Make sure to remove them right before serving. I also recommend using the same number of toothpicks for all roll ups so that way you know if you’ve removed them all or not.
• Add veggies. Finely c،p 1 cup each of mushrooms, carrots, and celery. Cook them over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes until just tender. Add the beef and continue with the recipe as usual.
• Crank up the heat. Mix 1/4-1/2 teas، red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper into the beef mixture for a bit of heat.
• Swap the filling. Skip the cheese filling for my Spinach Artic،ke Dip, or your favorite store-bought ricotta or spinach dip.
• Add crunch. Mix 1/4-1/2 cup c،bled bacon, c،pped almonds, or pistachios into the cheese filling for extra texture.

What To Serve With Zuc،i Roll Ups

These zuc،i roll ups are an Italian-inspired main. Serve them with Roasted Brussel Sprouts or Air Fryer Asparagus on the side. Don’t forget a salad like my Simple Arugula Salad or Italian Grinder Salad. If you prefer so،ing warm and comforting, try my Tuscan White Bean Soup or Minestrone Soup.

Proper Storage

Store 2-3 zuc،i roll ups together in a container for easy reheating.

• Fridge: Place them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• To reheat them: Microwave them in 30-second increments until warm. You can also use a pan (covered) over medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes.

More Zuc،i Recipes To Try

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