Keto Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups
These creative zucchini roll ups transform classic lasagna into an elegant, lighter dish. Thin zucchini ribbons wrap around a savory filling of Italian turkey sausage, ground turkey, ricotta, and fresh herbs, then bake in marinara sauce until bubbly. Perfect for dinner parties or family meals when you want comfort food with a healthier twist. The potato peeler technique creates perfectly thin zucchini sheets that roll beautifully, while the herb-seasoned turkey filling provides rich, satisfying flavor without the heaviness of traditional pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
- ½ pound Italian turkey sausageground Italian sausage1:1
adds richness
- ½ pound lean ground turkey
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh oregano, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
- 1 cup part skim ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg white, beaten until frothy
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 large zucchini, ends trimmed
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 3 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F
- 2
Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and brown sausage and ground turkey, breaking into small pieces
- 3
Strain meat and transfer to mixing bowl
- 4
Drain grease from skillet and sauté onion until softened
- 5
Add garlic and herbs and sauté for additional time
- 6
Transfer onion mixture to bowl with meat and cool
- 7
Add ricotta, egg white, Parmesan, salt and pepper to meat mixture and stir until combined
- 8
Using potato peeler, peel thin lengthwise strips from zucchini
- 9
Spread zucchini strips on baking sheet, season with salt and let sit
- 10
Pat zucchini strips dry
- 11
Pour marinara sauce into bottom of baking dish and stir remaining sauce into filling
- 12
Spread filling over zucchini strip and roll tightly into coil
- 13
Place rolled zucchini coil-side up in baking dish
- 14
Repeat rolling process with remaining strips and filling
- 15
Top with remaining marinara and Parmesan and bake until bubbling and lightly browned
- 16
Garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh basil before serving
Tips
If filling mixture becomes too soft, refrigerate for 1 hour to firm up before rolling
Use a potato peeler to create uniform thin zucchini ribbons that roll easily
Pat zucchini strips dry after salting to remove excess moisture and prevent watery dish
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in covered container
Assemble rolls up to 1 day ahead, cover and refrigerate, add 5-10 minutes to baking time
Serve hot as main dish with side salad or garlic bread
Common Mistakes
Don't skip salting zucchini to avoid watery results
Pat zucchini completely dry before rolling to prevent soggy rolls
Substitutions
adds richness
FAQ
Can I use regular ground beef instead of turkey?
Yes, substitute equal amounts of ground beef for the turkey. Drain excess fat after browning for best results.
How do I prevent the rolls from unrolling during baking?
Place rolls seam-side down in the dish and pack them snugly together. The sauce and cheese help hold them in place.
Can I freeze these zucchini roll ups?
Yes, freeze assembled unbaked rolls up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed, adding extra time if needed.