This vegetarian tofu lasagna with zucchini noodles is low-carb, filled with protein, and loaded with tons of taste. It’s the right comforting meal to serve a crowd.
The chilly climate has me craving cozy consolation meals like my vegetarian chili, wholesome hamburger helper and naturally, lasagna. I really like my wholesome lasagna, however once I’m wanting one thing that’s low-carb and protein-packed this tofu lasagna with zucchini noodles is the place it’s at!
Zucchini lasagna can get a bit watery because it cooks, however pre-cooking and patting the zucchini noodles dry works wonders. The end result? A flavorful lasagna with simply the correct quantity of moisture.
And don’t overlook the cheese! This lasagna is loaded with protein-packed cottage cheese, parmesan and mozzarella for that excellent tacky, melty goodness.
I really like making dishes like this as a result of the leftovers are even higher the following day. The flavors deepen in a single day, and in case you’re like me and luxuriate in chilly pasta dishes, this lasagna is simply as tasty straight from the fridge!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Veggie-packed goodness – Who wants pasta once you’ve obtained skinny, tender zucchini slices stepping in as noodles? This lasagna is contemporary, gentle, and loaded with veggies.
- Protein powerhouse – Between the tofu, cottage cheese, and melty mozzarella, this lasagna is filled with 22 grams of protein per slice.
- Tacky and comforting – Let’s be actual: it’s all about that ooey-gooey, bubbly cheese on high. This lasagna is the right cozy consolation meals with a wholesome twist.
- Make as soon as, get pleasure from all week – This recipe serves 6, so it’s nice for leftovers. Make it forward, and also you’ve obtained a meal that tastes even higher the following day. Good for meal prep or a straightforward weeknight dinner.
Elements Wanted
- zucchini – these tender, thinly sliced strips take the place of conventional lasagna noodles, making this dish gentle, contemporary, and veggie-packed.
- marinara sauce – need to know the key to the perfect lasagna? It’s all within the sauce! Home made is normally the perfect, however I sometimes find yourself going with a store-bought model to avoid wasting time. Simply be certain that it’s a superb jarred one — Rao’s Home made marinara is my go-to for daring, scrumptious taste.
- egg whites – helps bind the cottage cheese combination collectively and retains it gentle and fluffy.
- cottage cheese – provides a creamy, protein-packed layer to the lasagna.
- parmesan cheese – a sprinkle of this provides that salty, nutty taste all of us love in lasagna.
- tofu – crumbled and blended with marinara sauce for a hearty, plant-based “meat” layer. Simply be sure you’re utilizing further agency tofu.
- mozzarella cheese – as a result of no lasagna is full with out melty mozzarella on high.
Discover the total ingredient checklist with measurements within the recipe card under.
Substitutions
- Tofu: Not a fan of tofu? You may swap it for cooked floor turkey, hen, or beef for a extra conventional take.
- Cottage cheese: In the event you’re not into cottage cheese, ricotta is a superb substitute. It’ll add a barely richer taste and creamier texture.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favourite jarred marinara, or make your personal. In the event you’re avoiding tomatoes, a creamy pesto sauce could possibly be a enjoyable addition.
The best way to Make Tofu Lasagna
Comply with these steps for a scrumptious lasagna with zucchini noodles, tofu marinara, and loads of cheese. It’s straightforward to assemble and stuffed with taste! Right here’s find out how to make it:
Step 1: Drain the tofu and press it to take away extra liquid. Use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in paper towels and a kitchen towel, then place a heavy object (like cookbooks) on high. Let it sit for half-hour or longer.
Step 2: Slice the zucchini into skinny strips (about 1/8 inch) utilizing a mandoline or knife.
Step 3: Boil zucchini slices for about 4 minutes. Drain and pat dry with a towel to take away as a lot liquid as doable.
Step 4: In a small bowl, mix cottage cheese, egg whites, sea salt, and floor pepper. Put aside.
Step 5: Crumble the pressed tofu right into a bowl. Combine it with the marinara sauce and season as wanted.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Unfold a skinny layer of tofu marinara sauce on the underside of your greased casserole dish.
Step 7: Add a layer of zucchini noodles, then evenly unfold a layer of the cottage cheese combination on high.
Step 8: Sprinkle parmesan, repeat the layers, and end with mozzarella and the remaining parmesan. Cowl with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Take away foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes. Let cool for 5-10 minutes earlier than slicing and serving. Take pleasure in!
Brittany’s Suggestions!
- Press the tofu – Don’t skip urgent the tofu. The extra liquid you take away, the higher the feel and taste. If it’s too watery, your lasagna can find yourself soggy.
- Slice zucchini evenly – Use a mandoline slicer to get completely skinny and even zucchini strips. This helps them cook dinner evenly and retains the layers wanting neat.
- Dry/drain zucchini – After boiling your zucchini you’ll want to drain nicely and pat dry to take away as a lot extra liquid as doable, in any other case you may find yourself with soggy lasagna. No thanks!
- Style and season the marinara – In case your marinara sauce tastes a bit of flat, don’t hesitate so as to add extra salt, pepper, or a pinch of garlic powder to amp up the flavour.
The best way to Serve
This tofu zucchini lasagna is satisfying by itself, however in case you’re trying to construct out the meal, listed here are a couple of concepts to spherical out your plate:
The best way to Retailer
Within the fridge: Let the lasagna cool fully earlier than storing. Cowl the baking dish tightly with foil or switch parts to an hermetic container. Retailer within the fridge for as much as 4-5 days.
Within the freezer: Wish to avoid wasting for later? This lasagna freezes fantastically! Wrap your entire dish tightly with plastic wrap and foil, or portion out slices into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for as much as 3 months.
Reheating: For finest outcomes, reheat within the oven at 350°F till warmed by. If reheating from frozen, let the lasagna thaw within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating. It’s also possible to microwave particular person parts for a fast meal.
Regularly Requested Questions
This lasagna swaps conventional pasta noodles for zucchini slices, decreasing carbs and including further veggies. Plus, the tofu and cottage cheese present a lean, protein-packed twist with out sacrificing taste.
A mandoline slicer makes it simpler to get evenly skinny zucchini slices, however it’s not required. A pointy knife and regular hand work simply superb — simply intention for slices about 1/8 inch thick.
Ensure to press the tofu, boil and dry the zucchini slices, and drain any extra liquid out of your marinara sauce. These steps will assist maintain your lasagna agency and never soggy.
Extra Tasty Tofu Recipes
Make sure you take a look at all the tofu recipes in addition to the total assortment of vegetarian recipes on EBF!
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This put up was initially printed on January 16, 2019, up to date on September 9, 2024 and republished on January 21, 2025.
