Zucchini-Quinoa Lasagna

I have a LOT of quinoa folks, and let me tell you - cooking with it has really helped keep my grocery bill fairly trim! This is a delicious, healthier alternative to regular lasagna. The dish uses zucchini slices as the lasagna noodles - how clever!

Zucchini-Quinoa Lasagna
Source: Adapted from Vegetarian Times, July-August 2011 Edition
Serves 6

Ingredients

2 large zucchini, cut lengthwise into 12 1/4-inch-thick slices

1 tsp. salt

2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped

2 Tbs. cream cheese*

1 25-oz. jar marinara sauce

3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella*


*SS: The original recipe was vegan, and called for non-dairy cream cheese and mozzarella, I went for the real thing, both however, are optional


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place zucchini slices on bed of paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, cover with paper towels, and let stand to release moisture while preparing quinoa.
2. Bring broth, quinoa, tomato sauce, onion, and oregano to a boil in saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 25 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, and stir in basil, parsley, and cream cheese.
3. Spoon 1/3 cup marinara sauce over bottom of 8-inch square baking dish. Blot remaining moisture and salt from zucchini slices, and lay 4 zucchini slices over marinara sauce in pan. Spoon half of quinoa over zucchini, and cover with 1/3 cup marinara. SS: I added a light sprinkle of mozzarella in between layers. Repeat with 4 more zucchini slices, remaining quinoa, and 1/3 cup marinara. Top with remaining 4 zucchini slices, remaining marinara, and shredded cheese, if using. Bake lasagna 30 minutes, or until zucchini is tender and top is bubbly.

I was surprised at how tasty this dish was! I fixed this for my mom and brother, and both of them enjoyed it a lot. While my brother was upset to see there were no actual lasagna noodles, when he tasted it - he liked it. YES, my brother ate zucchini!