Cheesy Zucchini Roll-Ups feature thinly sliced zucchini wrapped around a rich, creamy cheese filling and baked in marinara sauce. This savory dish is a delicious way to use up your summer zucchini and is perfect for a low-carb, meatless meal.
There are three simple parts to this recipe: the zucchini slices, the creamy cheese filling, and the cheesy topping.
Ingredients
Zucchini: Two medium zucchinis should yield about 16 slices for rolling up the cheese mixture.
Marinara Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara sauce.
Filling Ingredients:
- Ricotta cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Romano cheese
- Cream cheese
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh parsley
For the best flavor, it’s recommended to buy blocks of mozzarella, parmesan, and romano cheeses and grate them yourself.
Topping:
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Slice Zucchini
- Wash each zucchini under cold or lukewarm water.
- Cut off the ends before slicing the zucchini lengthwise.
- Use a mandoline slicer for fine, even slices (1/4 inch thick). This tool is particularly useful for slicing firm vegetables like zucchini. If you don’t have a mandoline, carefully slice the zucchini thinly by hand or use a cheese slicer.
- Lay each slice of zucchini on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Top with more paper towels to absorb excess moisture while you prepare the filling.
How to Make the Five Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, romano cheese, cream cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until well combined.
Variations to Cheesy Zucchini Roll-Ups
These roll-ups are low carb and meatless, but you can add cooked ground beef, sausage, or ground turkey to the filling for a heartier dish. Sauteed mushrooms would also be a delicious addition. You can also experiment with different sauces, such as arrabbiata for a spicy kick or vodka sauce for a creamy variation.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into 16 slices (1/4 inch thick / 0.6 centimeters)
- 1 jar (24 ounces / 680 grams) marinara sauce, divided
Filling:
- 1 cup (240 grams) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) romano cheese, grated
- 6 ounces (170 grams) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) pepper
- 1 teaspoon (5 grams) fresh parsley, finely diced
Topping:
- 1 cup (120 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pour 1 cup of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish. Set aside.
- Place sliced zucchini on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Top with more paper towels to dry up excess moisture. Set aside while you prepare the filling.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, romano cheese, cream cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Remove paper towels from zucchini strips. Working one strip at a time, spread about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto each slice of zucchini.
- Roll the zucchini strip up to completely cover the cheese filling.
- Set the rolled zucchini seam side down into the baking dish, nestling them into the sauce.
- Top with remaining marinara sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
Enjoy these Cheesy Zucchini Roll-Ups as a delicious, low-carb, and savory dish perfect for any meal!
