Protein-Packed Beef & Zucchini Lasagna

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375.

Step 2

In a high-speed blender, add the cottage cheese, garlic, egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend on low-medium until smooth and fluffy. Remove from the blender and transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the parmesan and parsley until combined. Cover with plastic wrap and transfer to the fridge until you’re ready to assemble.

Step 3

In a large, tall-sided skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Once hot, add in the onions and cook until softened about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the beef, breaking it up with the back of your spatula. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, for about 8-10 minutes. If needed, drain off any excess grease or liquid before transferring back to the heat.

Step 5

Add in the garlic, zucchini, salt, and dried oregano. Stir to combine and cook until the zucchini has softened, about 4 minutes.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to medium and add in the marinara. Simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes to let the flavors meld and to allow the sauce to reduce slightly. Remove from the heat.

Step 7

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Add the pasta and cook for 4 minutes, just to par-cook the noodles. Drain and run the pasta under cold water, separating any pasta sheets that may have stuck together.

Step 8

Grease a 9x13 pan with olive oil. To the pan, add in about 1/3 of the meat sauce to the dish and spread evenly across the bottom of the pan. Layer the pasta atop the meat sauce in an even layer. Dollop about 1/3 of the cheese mixture atop the pasta and spread it around to create an even layer. Top with another 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/3 of the shredded goat mozzarella.

Step 9

Repeat this with the next layer, in the order of pasta, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and shredded cheese. Add another layer of pasta and top with the remaining cheese mixture, shredded mozzarella, and the parmesan.

Step 10

Spray a sheet of foil with avocado oil cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking. Wrap the lasagna tightly with foil and transfer to the oven that's been preheated to Bake on the middle rack for 25 minutes.

Step 11

After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. For an extra crispy top, place the lasagna on the highest rack and broil on high for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn.

Step 12

Allow to cool slightly before serving. Top with extra parsley and serve warm. Enjoy!

Step 13

Assemble the lasagna as you would if you were going to bake it. Allow it to cool entirely, then wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Wrap again with foil and transfer to the freezer. It will last in the freezer for up to one month.

Step 14

To bake, thaw the lasagna overnight in the fridge. Before baking, set it on the counter to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Bake as directed. Depending on the temperature of the lasagna when you put it in the oven, you may need to add 10 minutes to the cooking time.