Zucchini Rollatini with Spinach and Cheese

This Zucchini Rollatini with Spinach and Cheese is a delicious low-carb meal that can be prepared in advance and baked just before serving.  Using thin slices of zucchini, stuffed with spinach and cheese filling and topped with fresh tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, what’s not to love!

Zucchini Rollatini is a comforting, flavorful casserole…

Our zucchini rollatini is an easy dish that is most satisfying, and delicious. It is a classic Italian dish you can make at home. It’s perfect because:

• it’s low-carb meal
• gluten-free
• loaded with healthy greens
• and high in protein

This Zucchini Rollatini with Spinach and Cheese always turns out sensational!!  

A wonderful casserole that is not only delicious, loaded with healthy spinach, but it is also a substantial and satisfying meal. 

Best of all, everyone can enjoy these zucchini rolls guilt-free! 

How to Make Zucchini Rollatini with Spinach and Cheese?

This recipe for Zucchini Rollatini with Spinach and Cheese is a 3-step process:  (*with Step-by-Step photos for you to follow below).

FIRST STEP: Roast the zucchini slices in the oven for a few minutes to make them soft enough to roll them.

SECOND STEP: Make the spinach and cheese filling!  I made it with frozen spinach, ricotta, grated cheese, and shredded mozzarella, and one egg to help bind the filling.

FINAL STEP: Fill each slice of zucchini with a small amount of the spinach and cheese mixture, then roll it up and placed into a prepared baking dish.  Topped with tomato sauce, grated cheese, and shredded mozzarella and baked for 25 minutes.

 

Simple Ingredients Needed for Zucchini Rollatini:

For this easy recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• ZUCCHINI: 2 large zucchini is sufficient for 4 to 5 servings.

• EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL:  is drizzled on the bottom of the pan for roasting zucchini slices.

• SHREDDED CHEESE: 1/2 cup of smoked or natural mozzarella, either one is fine.

• GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE: you will need at least a 1/4 cup.

• EGGS:  only 1 egg is needed.

• RICOTTA CHEESE:  1 (8-ounce) container of ricotta, whole or part-skim is fine.

• FROZEN SPINACH:   one 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry.

• SEASONINGS: some salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

• TOMATO SAUCE: one cup of prepared marinara sauce, or more if desired.

• FRESH BASIL:  as garnish on top before serving, and gives these rolls a fresh taste.

Easy-to-Follow Directions… (*full recipe card below!)

1.  First, slice zucchini into 1/4-inch thick slices or ribbons. Don’t worry if they are not sliced perfectly.  We are not professional cooks or chefs.  Besides, when you assemble these zucchini rolls and lay them side by side, and bake them all together, it doesn’t matter.  They will look beautiful and taste amazing!

2.  NEXT, drizzle some olive oil on the bottom of a large baking sheet.  Arrange zucchini slices in a single layer, the best you can.

3.  Bake in a preheated oven at 400F  /(205C) for 5 to 6 minutes, then flip them over and bake for additional 3 to 5 minutes, or more until they are tender and soft.

4.  Remove zucchini from the oven and set them aside to cool.

5.  Meantime, make the spinach and cheese mixture.  Use a fork to mix 1 egg, spinach, ricotta, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic powder, and some freshly grated black pepper, until well combined.

6.  Spread 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.  You can use an 8 x 8-inch square baking dish, or a 7 x 11-inch rectangular baking dish.

7.  Place 1 tablespoon or more of the spinach filling near the bottom of a strip of zucchini.  Roll it up and place, seam-side down in the baking dish.  Continue and repeat with the remaining zucchini and filling.

 

8.  Top the rolls with the remaining marinara sauce. Then sprinkle with remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.

9.  Bake zucchini rollatini until bubbly and lightly browned on top, about 20 to 25 minutes.  Serve with freshly chopped basil on top.

Cook’s Notes and Tips:

• Try to find zucchini that are straight lengthwise and without a curve.  It will be easier to slice them lengthwise.

• Keep in mind, if you use a knife to slice the zucchini, you will get about 8 to 10 slices per zucchini.

• It is much easier to use a vegetable peeler or a mandoline slicer to quickly slice the zucchini about 1/4 -inch thick into uniform strips.  And, you may even get a few more slices of zucchini to make more rolls.  Also, the thinner the slices are, the less baking time is needed to soften.

• I used a small baking dish, an 7 x 11-inch (2-quart size) for this amount of zucchini.  If you plan to use a 9 x 12-inch (3-quart size) baking dish, you can increase the amount of zucchini, using 4 large zucchini, and you will need to increase the amount of sauce needed.  It will make about 28 or more rollatini.

• When you first bake the zucchini strips, you must keep an eye on them, so they don’t burn.  They bake quickly, and will only need to get soft and tender for you to easily roll them.

• If you have some zucchini slices that are slightly little thicker than others, you may need to put those back into the oven for a minute or two more to soften.

• If some slices are not uniform, NO worries!  Use them anyway, and add some filling and roll them the best you can, because when you top them with sauce and cheese, they bake uniformly anyway. No one will notice anything.

• Also, you will have some extra ricotta and spinach filling leftover, so you can make an extra or a second small batch of zucchini rollatini and freeze it.  Or increase and make a larger casserole, using a 9 x 12 dish and 4 large zucchini.

• When baking, you may notice a little extra water has been released from either the spinach or from the zucchini, making the sauce appear a little watery.  NO worries! You may continue to bake for an additional 5 minutes or so until most of the liquid is absorbed; but not to the point it will dry out the sauce.

To Make Ahead: 

• Prepare zucchini rollatini (but do not bake it), cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 day. 
• Then allow it to sit on the counter, warm up to room temperature, then bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes.

Don’t forget to PIN and Share! 

A few more Gluten-free recipes and meals, try these:

• Zucchini Lasagna – without Noodles!
• Best Eggplant Manicotti Casserole
• Zucchini Stuffed with Bolognese and Cheese
• Eggplant Rollatini -Lightened!
• Zucchini Pepperoni Pizza Boats
• Roasted Parmesan Zucchini
• Zucchini Sticks Oreganata
• Baby Zucchini Recipe

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Happy and Healthy Cooking!  😉

Thanks for stopping by!  

anna and liz