Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients

• avocado oil spray
• 5 medium zucchini (thinly sliced lengthwise)
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 lb ground chicken
• 5 cups spinach
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 15 oz marinara sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
• 3-4 garlic (pressed cloves fresh)
• 2 tsps Italian seasoning
• 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes (to taste)
• 1.5 cup cottage cheese low fat
• 1.5 cup mozzarella cheese
• 2 large egg
• large handful of fresh basil (chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 375 degrees f.

2. 2

   Lightly spray a rectangle baking dish with avocado oil and line a large, flat baking sheet with parchment paper. I used a STAUB Ceramic Rectangular Baking Dish 11" X 8" for this recipe. If you'd like to double this recipe up, I'd recommend using a 13" × 9".

3. 3

   Arrange your zucchini slices onto your prepared flat bakkng sheet, without overlapping. Sprinkle zucchini with sea salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Bake zucchini in your preheated oven for 8-10 minutes; Depending on their thickness, the slices should become slightly tender and release most of the moisture.

5. 5

   Once the zucchini slices are ready, use a paper towel to pat them dry and absorb as much moisture as possible.

6. 6

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with a touch of oil.

7. 7

   Add in your ground meat and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spatula, for about 6-8 minutes.

8. 8

   Stir in the marinara sauce, garlic and seasonings. Allow sauce to simmer over medium-low heat until thickened, about 15 minutes.

9. 9

   Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 2/3 cup of shredded mozzarella, the egg and chopped fresh basil. Season with a pinch of sea salt and pepper and stir well to combine.

10. 10

    To assemble your lasagna, spread a big spoonful of meat sauce onto the bottom of your baking dish.

11. 11

    Arrange a layer of zucchini slices evenly over the sauce, and top them with a thin layer of cheese mixture. Continue with a layer of meat sauce, then zucchini, then cheese; alternating so on - until all your ingredients are assembled.

12. 12

    Sprinkle the top with remaining mozzarella cheese.

13. 13

    Bake in your preheated oven until bubbly and melty, for about 20-25 minutes.

14. 14

    Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired, then serve.