Description
Three Cheese Zucchini Rollatini is a delicious low-carb Italian-inspired dish featuring thinly sliced zucchini rolled with a creamy mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, garlic, and fresh basil, baked in marinara sauce until bubbly and golden. Perfect as a comforting vegetarian meal, it offers a flavorful alternative to traditional pasta dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Rollatini
- 3 large zucchini, sliced thin lengthwise
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease your baking dish or skillet with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, the large egg, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated creating a creamy filling.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of the greased baking dish, which will add moisture and flavor during baking.
- Assemble Rollatini: Place a spoonful of the cheese filling on each thin zucchini slice. Carefully roll up each slice and arrange them seam-side down in the baking dish over the marinara sauce to keep them intact during baking.
- Add Sauce and Cheese Topping: Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the arranged zucchini rolls. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella evenly on top for a melty, golden crust.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. This step helps cook the filling and zucchini gently while keeping moisture locked in.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown, signaling the dish is ready.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the rollatini sit for 5 to 10 minutes out of the oven to set. Garnish with additional fresh basil before serving for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Use a mandoline slicer for evenly thin zucchini slices to ensure even cooking and easy rolling.
- Do not slice zucchini too thick to avoid difficulty rolling and uneven cooking.
- Resting the dish before serving allows the flavors to meld and makes serving easier.
- For a lower-fat version, use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.
- Can be prepared ahead by assembling and refrigerating before baking; increase baking time by 5-10 minutes if baking from cold.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to keep texture crisp.
