Looking for a guilt-free twist on a classic comfort food? Say hello to our Healthy Oil-Free Plant-Based Zucchini Lasagna! This delicious recipe features layers of thinly sliced zucchini, hearty lentil bolognese, and creamy homemade tofu ricotta. Not only is it super simple to make, but it’s also packed with nutritious ingredients that can support your weight loss journey. Let’s dive into the health benefits of the key ingredients and how they contribute to shedding those extra pounds.
Recipe: Ingredients:
- 3-4 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced lengthwise
- 1 batch of lentil bolognese (recipe follows)
- 1 batch of tofu ricotta (recipe follows)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, for topping)
Health Benefits of Key Ingredients:
- Zucchini:
- Low in calories and carbohydrates, making it a great option for weight loss.
- Rich in water and fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied with fewer calories.
- Packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and magnesium, supporting overall health.
- Lentils:
- High in protein and fiber, which can help increase feelings of fullness and promote weight loss.
- Low in fat and calories, making them a nutritious addition to a weight loss diet.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals, such as folate, iron, and manganese, supporting energy levels and metabolism.
- Tofu:
- A good source of plant-based protein, which can aid in muscle repair and growth, supporting a healthy metabolism.
- Low in calories and saturated fat, making it a suitable option for weight loss.
- Contains isoflavones, which may help regulate hormones and promote fat loss.
- Nutritional Yeast:
- Provides a savory, cheese-like flavor to dishes without adding extra calories or fat.
- Rich in B vitamins, including B12, which are important for energy production and metabolism.
- Contains protein and fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied, aiding in weight loss efforts.
My Healthy Oil-Free Plant-Based Zucchini Lasagna is not only a delicious and satisfying meal option but also a powerful tool to support your weight loss goals. By incorporating nutrient-dense ingredients like zucchini, lentils, tofu, and nutritional yeast, this lasagna provides the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and nutrition. Give this super simple recipe a try and discover how it can help you on your journey to a healthier, happier you!
Healthy Plant Based Zucchini Lasagna
Equipment
- 1 Griddle
Ingredients
- 2 large zucchinis
- 1 Lentil Bolognese Recipe https://vicki-lynne.com/plant-based-lentil-bolognese/
- 1 Tofu Basil Ricotta https://vicki-lynne.com/basil-tofu-ricotta/
- 4 tsp garlic and herb blend
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
Instructions
- Start by making my tofu ricotta and lentil bolognese.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Wash and dry zucchini. Using a Mandoline or sharp knife, slice zucchini into thin slices. I prefer using the mandoline to get even slices and it's much faster.
- Preheat the griddle to medium high, lay the slices of the zucchini side by side on the griddle. Lightly brown on each side( we aren't trying to cook them all the way through we are trying to draw out the water.
- Continue in batches until all the zucchini and lightly brown and cooled.
- In a 8 x 8 baking pan, put about 1/4 cup bolognese sauce and spread evenly. This will prevent the zucchini from sticking to the bottom. Layer the first layer of cooked zucchini. Top with bolognese sauce, then dollop the tofu ricotta.Repeat until you have used all the zucchini. You will probably have leftovers of the sauce and ricotta.
- You can freeze or bake at this point. Top with nutritional yeast. Bake for 30 minutes until hot and bubbling.
- If you freeze this, allow to defrost before cooking.
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