Healthy One Pan Zucchini Noodle Skillet Lasagna Zoodles – makes the perfect easy weeknight dish! Best of all, it’s lower carb & makes a delicious twist on lasagna. Gluten free – no one will miss the pasta with this dish! Plus a VIDEO!
With the cooler temps headed our way, we’ve been wanting to drown ourselves in all the comfort food a.k.a. cheesy pasta dishes like this Easy Skinny Skillet Lasagna.
But since I had a bunch of garden zucchini still waiting to be used up, I decided to swap out the pasta for ribboned zucchini noodles (zoodles) instead.
Tips for this Skillet Lasagna Zoodles
- Prep the zoodles up to 3-4 days in advance by storing them in an air-tight sealed container in the fridge
- To avoid a runny and soggy sauce, it helps to pat them down with a paper towel after you’ve spiralized them to remove some of that extra moisture that zucchini tend to have.
- You can even keep this entirely meatless and add sliced mushrooms instead.
- I made two batches, one with ground turkey and one with sauteed mushrooms and they both worked really well.
I used the same base as I did for my Easy Skinny Skillet Lasagna and just reduced the amount of water I added since the zucchini will release a lot of water on its own.
If you’re looking for a comforting dish that’s low on carbs and still full of flavor, this may be your new favorite way to enjoy lasagna. ♥
- 1/2 - 1 lb extra-lean ground turkey omit if you want to keep this a meatless dish
- 1/2 cup mushrooms sliced
- 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 5-6 medium zucchini peeled
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (I recommend San Marzano or fire-roasted tomatoes)
- 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2-1/2 Tablespoons fresh chopped basil divided
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2/3 cup fat-free cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup low-fat ricotta cheese for garnish optional
- sprinkle of parmesan cheese for garnish optional
- 1-1/2 - 2 cups spinach chopped
- 2 medium zucchini peeled and chopped
- 1/4 cup water reserved as needed
- Spiralize zucchini using the ribbon blade or a vegetable peeler; set aside. Pat dry with a paper towel. (This step can be done up to 3 days in advance. Simply store zoodles in an airtight container with a paper towel to help absorb excess moisture.)
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add in the ground meat and cook until browned, about 3-4 minutes, making sure to crumble and break down into small pieces as it cooks; drain excess fat.
- Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds to a minute or until fragrant. Add mushrooms and optional chopped zucchini, if using and saute for 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, red pepper flakes and 1 tablespoon of basil. Bring to a boil and reduce heat allowing to simmer. Stir constantly until sauce begins to thicken (about 5 minutes).
- Add the ribboned zucchini noodles and cover with lid.
- After 2 minutes, remove the cover, swirl the zucchini around using tongs to avoid sticking to the pan.
- Continue cooking until zucchini is tender (another 2-5 minutes). If adding spinach, stir in after 3 minutes and cover.
- Remove from heat and stir in mozzarella and cottage cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Top with dollops of ricotta cheese. Cover the pan and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Remove from stove and sprinkle with chopped parsley, basil, and parmesan cheese if desired.
Recipe Video
Add water as needed if the sauce is evaporating.
*If zucchini is letting out too much water, mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 teaspoon of cold water in a small cup. Add to the pan before adding the cottage cheese. Bring to a boil to allow sauce to thicken up. Add cottage cheese as directed above.
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Did you try this recipe?
Danielle -
I hope your son’s first day of Pre-K goes great! This lasagna looks like the perfect comfort food, I love the zucchini noodles in there too. You definitely can’t even tell, it looks just like pasta!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice -
I can imagine that you’re filled with emotions with your son starting preschool! I hope it all goes well! This looks like the perfect lasagna to help comfort you, Kelly! I love the zucchini noodles in here! My husband isn’t a fan of them either, but I have a feeling he would love this dish!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven -
Awww! Hope your little man has a great first day! And in the meantime, I think I may join you in burying ALL the emotions into this skillet! I mean, daaaaang! This looks so indulgent from the outside, but it’s total green health food underneath! Love, love, love it! This winner is going on the menu next week. 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom -
Kelly, hooray for Pre-K!!! hang in there, momma. . and let us know how it goes! yeah, I thought Madeline would be ok going back to school and she was clinging to my leg for dear life. But she’s ok now. ok, I just printed this fabulous recipe. I need to make this! love love love!!!
Monica -
Good luck with the start of pre-K, Kelly! Oh my goodness…I remember those days. I was a true nervous wreck during those early years. I have a feeling your son will adjust beautifully and you will be amazed (for him and yourself)! I’m sending you good vibes. As for this dish – that is the best looking zucchini noodles I’ve ever seen! I need to get my mandolin out and do this more often. Looks scrumptious and a very smart, healthy comfort option indeed!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert -
I wish your little guy a great first day of pre-k! This skillet lasagna sounds so good. And it’s a great way to eat all those emotions. Love the zucchini noodles.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen -
Best of luck with the start of your son’s first day of pre-k. I hope everything would be just great! This lasagna looks astoundingly delish and comforting. So yummy and flavorful. Loved it, Kelly! 🙂
Aida@TheCraftingFoodie -
Kelly, wishing you and your son a wonderful first day of pre-k! What a delicious dinner. I love how your zoodles are thicker. What a perfect way to scoop up extra sauce!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely -
BIG hugs to you momma! Hope he loves his first day of pre-k. I bet he’ll have a blast. Hopefully you’re in the swing of your routine soon. In the mean time, definitely comfort yourself with this amazing skillet lasagna. Love that you used veggie noodles! Naturally gluten free!
Eva @ Eva Bakes -
Sending you best wishes for a fun first day at Pre-K! Hard to believe he has grown up so fast. Your skillet lasagna looks incredible. I bet my daughter wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between your version and the one with real noodles!
medha @ Whisk & Shout -
Zoodles are just the beset- and I’ve never tried to make them ribboned! Love the one pan meal 🙂
Kelly -
Thanks Medha!
Ala -
YAY zoodles are some of the best things ever, as are one-pan dishes!! Wonderful share, Kelly! ^^
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies -
Kelly, your zucchini noodles look like real pasta, this dish is amazing I love how savory it is, but it still packs so many good for you things!
Lokness @ The Missing Lokness -
SO DELICIOUS, but healthy! And one pot too! Totally a win-win! This is really flavorful that I think I won’t miss the meat at all.
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu -
Oooh I am a pasta lover through and through – this looks fantastic Kelly! I am all for a one pan dish and lasagna is one of my all-time favs!
Marsha @ Marsha's Baking Addiction -
Oh, this looks delicious! My daughter would love this, so I’m adding to the menu!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy -
I hope your little one has a first good day. I can’t imagine how emotional that must be. At times like that, it calls for comfort food like this. I love that it is lower carb too.
Keri @ Fashionable Foods -
Awe, I hope your son’s first day went well! This lasagna looks wonderful! Such a great way to use up garden zucchini!
Joanne -
Love love love that this is so veggie stuffed! My kind of meal. Good luck with the first day of school! I’m sure you’ll both do great. 🙂
Thao @ In Good Flavor -
The first day away from mom under someone else’s care is a big day. Having worked with little children and their families, I have seen that it can be just as hard or harder for parents to leave their children than it is for the children. Your son will do fine, Kelly. There will be an initial adjustment period, but he will quickly acclimate and thrive. Your pasta looks incredible! I LOVE the zucchini noodles! This is so delicious and healthy. Pinning.
Angie@Angie's Recipes -
You are one super mama! This is not only delicious and comforting, also very healthy, Kelly.
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext -
This looks delicious, Kelly! Love the idea of switching the pasta with zoodles! I’m definitely going to try that! Pinned! 😀
Savita @ ChefDeHome -
This skillet lasagna sounds so good, Kelly! Also, I’m obsessed with eating zucchini noodles these days. So this is right up my alley! Pinned!
Beth -
Awww! I hope his first day went well for both of you! Kelly, your photos are stunning, I’m so hungry for this dish!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan -
Oh heavens Kelly – this is my kinda lasagna! With those zucchini noodles, and mushrooms and spices and herbs and oooh all that cheese, makes this one skillet hard to share!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy -
This lasagna looks amazing Kelly! Hope your 4 year old had a wonderful first day!
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four -
Kelly, I am loving this skillet lasagna! I love all things pasta, but I’m always looking for a way to do a carb-free meal every now and then, and this is so perfect! I also love that you can make this meatless too although you can resist some delicious ground beef in this? Like you said, I think some fabulous mushrooms could compensate. I am LOVING this, it looks incredible! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful recipe! 🙂
Marcie -
I hope your little man had a great first day and that it wasn’t too hard on you! That very first day can be so tough, and kids really are unpredictable! This zoodle dish is my kind of dinner — I never miss the pasta at all! Here’s to a wonderful school year for your son and all the zoodles you can eat.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary -
Holy cow, now THIS is some dang lasagna I could DEVOUR! LOVE LOVE LOVE the use of zucchini ribbons here, Kelly! Plus only one pan? Ummm yea, I’ll eat this daily! Pinned! cheers, to a fabulous weekend! <3
asha Shiv -
Sending you big hugs, I completely understand the waterworks, because it never stops and mine are 15 and 10. Hope your little one adjusted well.
I’ve been wanting to make these in a while. I’m glad I saw this. Pinned to make later this week. Looks so so so good.
Happy weekend sweety.
xx
Manali @ CookWithManali -
hugs to you Kelly! I hope your son adjusts well in school 🙂 This dish looks so comforting and delicious. I want to dig right in!
Anna @ Sunny Side Ups -
Yes Yes YES!! I am absolutely in love with everything about this Lasagna! Zucchini noodles are so delicious, and they look just perfect in this yummy skillet. Can’t wait to make it for myself! 🙂 Pinned!
annie@ciaochowbambina -
I knew your little one was starting and was thinking about you! I hope all went well, waterworks and all! It’s all part of the beautiful journey of raising our kids! And this dish – forget about it! Completely loving it, my friend!
jacquee | isugar coat it! -
Hope you were both able to get through the pre-k jitters. A big bowl of this would certainly help. I love zucchini noodles and LOVE this dish!
Zainab -
Super easy recipes like this are on my must list these days. I love the ribbons 🙂
Kelly -
Easy recipes are a must for any busy mom 🙂 Thanks Z!
mira -
Love zucchini noodles and this dish looks just perfect for me! Can’t wait to try it! Pinned!
Emma -
I’ll happily take a plate of the mushroom version please 😀
Lauren -
I made this for mother’s day with the spiralizer I bought as her gift. She and my dad a carnivore and butter lover, absolutely loved it! I added a bit too much tomato paste but it was still delicious now my mom wants to skip pasta and start making more veggie noodles!
Kelly -
Hi Lauren, so glad to hear that! Thanks for coming back to let me know! 🙂
Kelly
Nancy -
This looks amazeballs. Will try this tonight using the new spiralizer my daughter bought me for Mother’s Day but will make it healthier using all full-fat ingredients.
Kelly -
Thanks so much Nancy! What a wonderful Mother’s Day gift! Hope you enjoy if you make the dish 🙂
Kelly
Julie | This Gal Cooks -
I just made this recipe and OMG, so good, Kelly! I didn’t have any cottage cheese or mozzarella so I just mixed the ricotta into the sauce. SO. GOOD! Thanks for the great healthy recipe. 🙂
Kelly -
Yay! I’m SO happy to hear that, Julie! Thank you so much for coming back to let me know, it’s one of our favorites 🙂 Hope you’ve been well! Definitely missed your yummy healthy posts 🙂
Emily -
I rarely ever comment on recipes, but I just made this and it’s incredible!!!! Definitely will be adding it to the rotation. Thanks! 🙂
Kelly -
Hi Emily, I’m so happy to hear that!! Thanks so much for coming back to let me know! 🙂
cl -
Love this recipe..makes my mouth water and as fall is approaching I can’t wait to try! I am a little confused however on the zucchini part- recipe says to add zucchini with mushrooms then next step says to add zucchini noodles- are we adding it in two separate places? Sorry, I’ve read it several times and think I’m missing something and hoping you can set me straight…and it could be just Monday morning confusion on my part! Thanks!!
Kelly -
Hi cl. Sorry for the confusion, the recipe calls for chopped zucchini as well as zucchini noodles. The chopped zucchini is listed in the optional section part of the recipe. The chopped zucchini would be added with the mushrooms and then the zucchini noodles come next. Hope that helps and enjoy!
Michelle Schulze -
This looks o good!! I’ve got all the ingredients and ready to prepare but I have a few questions. I just purchased th ekitchenaid spiralizer and my daughter had a ball making the ribbon noodles, however mine look a lot thicker than yours. Will there be a big difference, I would believe I’d need a little more cooking time to get them tender, right? Can this dish be prepared the day before or best to make and eat?
Sabrina B. -
nice recipe! this was just featured in a bunch of zucchini recipes on foodiecrush, this is such a great substitution, really a 2 for 1, for getting rid of the heavy carbs in the pasta for the healthy zucchini carbs and for the nutritional value of the zucchini versus that of the noodles, thank you for this recipe!
Olivia -
This was awesome! I subbed chicken since we didn’t have ground turkey. Added some extra chopped artichokes I had in the fridge, as well as sage. I just used fat free cottage cheese so I didn’t have to buy two different kinds. This made SO MUCH FOOD. Will be making again!!