Zucchini Roll-ups With Spinach & Cheese is a summer comfort dish loaded with flavors and truly delicate. This delicious low-carb, keto and gluten-free dish is truly colorful.
Zucchini rolls filled with cream cheese and spinach are easy to make, bakes for some 20 minutes, and are gone in seconds. This recipe is just perfect for friend and family gatherings, and even kids will enjoy it. One of the best summer side dishes I frequently do in my house.
Feta cheese, mascarpone, mozzarella, parmesan- all these are my favorite ingredients mixed with spinach and rolled up in fresh zucchini.
Outstanding and fabulous are just two simple words describing this tasty dish. Fresh veggies, especially in summer, makes one of the most successful dishes at home.
Fresh or baked zucchini?
It is not a secret that the key to a tasty dish is qualitative ingredients. Even cheap but fresh veggies from your local farmer’s market will make this dish so standing.
Zucchini is a tender vegetable. To roll up the zucchini easier and not break up, it needs some caution. You need to soften them. Depending on my mood, I make this in two different ways. The first method is to sprinkle raw zucchini slices with salt, grease with oil, and let them stay for at least 20 minutes. This method is suitable only for thin zucchini slices. Another way is to soften zucchini is to prebake slices for 10-20 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 °F. The time depends on how thin you cut your vegetables. The thicker slices are, the more time for prebaking you will need.
Some grilled zucchini leftover will serve you gratefully for this recipe.
So, as you see, there is no staple, and everything is up to your preferences and liking.
How do you slice zucchini for roll-ups?
I recommend cutting the zucchini lengthwise to about 1/6 inch slices. You can cut them by hand using a sharp knife. In case you want thinner slices ( about ⅛ inch) then better use a mandoline. So all the roll-ups will have the same size and a nice look.
An important tip when making roll-ups, is to grab uniform and larger size zucchini.
Can I substitute zucchini with another veggie?
Can I substitute zucchini with another veggie?Definitely, you can. I just adore cooking and trying different combinations. So, here are some ideas that I can share with you: summer squash, eggplant, and bell peppers. Any of these healthy veggies can perfectly substitute zucchini. All of them will make one of the most outstanding dishes, and you will enjoy it any time of the day.
How to make Zucchini Roll-ups With Spinach & Cheese?
I just love this simple and cheap dish, and even my kids enjoy eating it. Bursting with cheese, this outstanding gluten-free dish is guaranteed to win you over. Zucchini roll-ups will quickly become your favourite summer dinner recipe. And this tasty combination creates an absolutely healthy veggie lasagna. It is hearty, rich, and flavorful.
Wash and pat dry zucchini. Using a sharp knife, slice them carefully lengthwise to about 1/6 inch. Arrange the zucchini slices on baking trays and brush them on both sides with olive oil. Season lightly with salt. Send them to the preheated oven at 350 °F for about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the spinach & cheese filling. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic. Once the garlic is lightly golden colour, add the spinach. Cook often stirring until any excess of water evaporates. Season with salt & pepper and remove from the heat.
In a mixing bowl, combine parmesan cheese, feta cheese, and mascarpone. Mix well to combine. Add spinach and stir again just to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. By seasoning, I mean some garlic powder, lemon zest, chilli flakes if you like it spicy, ground coriander, or even Italian herbs.
Now start assembling this beautiful plate:
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce ( the recipe is pretty easy, so do not hesitate to make it yourself ) onto the bottom of a 9 x 13 – inch baking dish. Set aside.
- Spread each zucchini slice with the cheese and spinach mixture, and gently roll up.
- Arrange the rolls seam side down in the baking dish over the marina sauce. Top with one more cap of marinara and sprinkle some grated mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and browned.
To add even more aromas and flavours, sprinkle some fresh basil. Serve warm.
Can I freeze Zucchini Roll-ups With Spinach & Cheese?
Zucchini roll-ups with spinach & cheese is a freezer-friendly dish. I use to freeze it assembled but unbaked. So, there is no need to thaw it, just bake ten more minutes.
Store zucchini roll-ups leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Zucchini Roll-ups With Spinach & Cheese
Equipment
- baking dish
Ingredients
- 4 zucchini
- 2 cup marinara sauce
- 8 oz mascarpone cheese
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz feta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 10 oz baby spinach
- 1 garlic cloves
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, slice them carefully lengthwise to about 1/6 inch. Arrange the zucchini slices on baking trays and brush them on both sides with olive oil. Season lightly with salt. Send them to the preheated oven at 350 °F for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the spinach & cheese filling. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic. Once the garlic is lightly golden color, add the spinach. Cook often stirring until any excess of water evaporates. Season with salt & pepper and remove from the heat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine parmesan cheese, feta cheese, and mascarpone. Mix well to combine. Add spinach and stir again just to incorporate. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce ( the recipe is pretty easy, so do not hesitate to make it yourself ) onto the bottom of a 9 x 13 - inch baking dish.
- Spread each zucchini slice with the cheese and spinach mixture, and gently roll-up. Arrange the rolls seam side down in the baking dish over the marina sauce. Top with one more cap of marinara and sprinkle some grated mozzarella.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and browned.
Nutrition
