Pasta-Free Vegetable Lasagna – Core

(from salonx’s recipe box)

POINTS value per serving: 3
Pasta-Free Vegetable Lasagna
Skip the noodles and use thin strips of zucchini to make this flavorful lasagna, a healthy dinner and one that freezes beautifully, too.

Source: Weight Watchers.com

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 55 minutes
Serves 6 people

Categories: Pasta

Ingredients

  • 3 large zucchini
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 1 Tbsp salt
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 12 oz cremini or white button mushrooms, chopped
  • 3 cups chopped fresh tomato (about 3 large beefsteak tomatoes)
  • 2 Tbsp minced basil leaves or 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 2 tsp minced oregano leaves or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp grated or ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound fat-free Mozzarella, shredded*
  • Note* If the cheese is too soft to grate easily, allow it to "harden" in the freezer for 15 minutes, and then proceed.

Directions

  1. Slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/8-inch thick strips. Place in a bowl and salt generously, tossing once or twice to coat well. Lay strips on paper towels on your work surface. Set aside 1 hour.

  2. Meanwhile, spray a large saucepan with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook 20 seconds.

  3. Add the mushrooms; cook, stirring often, until they give off their liquid and it reduces to a glaze, about 7 minutes.

  4. Stir in the tomatoes, basil, oregano, nutmeg and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes start to break down and the sauce thickens, about 25 minutes.

  5. Position the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.

  6. Blot any moisture off the zucchini strips with paper towels. Use one third of the zucchini strips to line the bottom of a 9 × 13-inch baking pan, laying them lengthwise like you would lasagna noodles. Top evenly with one third of the sauce, then one third of the shredded cheese. Place half the remaining zucchini strips on top, as before, then top evenly with half the remaining sauce and half the remaining cheese. Repeat this process one more time: using the remaining zucchini, remaining sauce, and remaining cheese.

  7. Bake, uncovered, until bubbling, about 45 minutes. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

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