Description
Delight in this light and cheesy Zucchini Ravioli recipe that combines thinly sliced zucchini with a flavorful ricotta and mozzarella filling. Baked to perfection in marinara sauce, this dish is a low-carb alternative to traditional pasta ravioli, perfect for a comforting yet healthy meal.
Ingredients
Zucchini Ravioli
- 4 large zucchini
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Slice zucchini: Using a vegetable peeler or mandolin, slice the zucchini lengthwise into thin strips, creating wide ribbons that will act as the ravioli ‘pasta’.
- Form zucchini base: Lay out three zucchini strips on a flat surface, slightly overlapping them to create a sturdy base to hold the filling.
- Make cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, chopped basil, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Add filling to zucchini: Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture in the center of each zucchini strip base, ensuring enough filling for a satisfying ravioli bite.
- Shape ravioli: Fold the ends of the zucchini strips over the filling to form a package resembling traditional ravioli.
- Arrange in baking dish: Place each zucchini ravioli seam-side down in the prepared baking dish so they don’t unfold during cooking.
- Add marinara sauce: Pour the marinara sauce evenly over the zucchini ravioli to infuse flavor and moisture while baking.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow the zucchini to soften and the cheese filling to heat through.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly, creating a deliciously golden top.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with additional fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve hot for a comforting and low-carb meal.
Notes
- Use a mandolin for uniformly thin zucchini slices to ensure even cooking.
- Try different herbs like oregano or thyme for varied flavors.
- For a vegan version, substitute ricotta and cheeses with plant-based alternatives and omit the egg or use a flax egg.
- If zucchini releases a lot of liquid while baking, drain excess moisture before serving.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
