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Cooking at Home - Zucchini Lasagna

Makes: 6 Servings

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour

This lasagna is a delicious summer version of a popular comfort food that made its debut in Italy during the Middle Ages. Zucchini, also called “green Italian squash,” is a highly anticipated spring vegetable in Italy and they have incorporated it into numerous recipes. It is often chopped or diced and added to pizzas, pasta dishes, soups, and salads.

Ingredients

2 1⁄2 ounces Mozzarella cheese, low-fat, shredded (2 1/2 oz. equals 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
1 cup Cottage cheese, fat-free
3 tablespoons Tomato paste, canned, low sodium
1 cup Tomato sauce, canned
1 teaspoon Oregano, dried
1 teaspoon Basil, dried
2 5⁄8 ounces Onions, fresh, peeled, 1/4" diced (2 5/8 oz. equals 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
2 cloves garlic, fresh, minced (1 clove is about 1/2 teaspoon minced)
1⁄4 teaspoon Black pepper, ground
1 1⁄2 cups Zucchini, fresh, unpeeled, thinly sliced
3 3⁄8 ounces Lasagna noodles, enriched, oven ready (6 sheets)
1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese, fresh, shredded
Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 °F.
Reserve 1/3 cup of mozzarella cheese and set aside for later use.
Make cheesy tomato sauce: combine remaining mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, tomato paste, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, onions, garlic, and black pepper in a small bowl.
Divide zucchini evenly into two parts, about 3/4 cup.
Lightly coat a medium baking dish (about 8" x 8") with nonstick cooking spray.

Assembly:

First layer: Spread 3/4 cup of cheesy-tomato sauce evenly on the bottom of each steam table pan. Cover sauce with 3 sheets of oven-ready lasagna noodles. Then, cover noodles with 3/4 cup of zucchini slices.
Second layer: Repeat first layer.
Third layer: Top layers 1 and 2 with the remaining cheesy-tomato sauce (about 3/4 cup) and then finish by sprinkling on the reserved shredded mozzarella cheese (1/3 cup) and the parmesan cheese (1Tbsp)

Cover tightly with foil and bake until zucchini is tender, about 30 minutes.
Remove from oven.
Remove foil and bake uncovered until cheese starts to brown slightly, approximately 15 minutes. Heat to 140 °F for at least 15 seconds.
Let lasagna stand 10 minutes before serving.

Critical Control Point: Hold at 140 °F or higher.

Source: CACFP Multi-Cultural Recipe Project - Team Nutrition: Adapted from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/hearttruth/downloads/html/factsheet-recipes/factsheet-recipes.htm.