Layered Zucchini Ragu Bake Recipes

LAYERED ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• You can use any amounts you like but this is what you do: oil a shallow baking dish and cover the bottom of the dish with alternating slices of zucchini and tomato.
• Mix the olive oil and herbs together and brush this generously over the slices arramged in the baking dish.
• Add salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes or so, check so the cheese doesn't burn.

LAYERED ZUCCHINI RAGU BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Spray two 17x12-inch half-sheet pans with cooking spray. Place zucchini in single layer in pans. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Bake 20 minutes or until almost tender. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F.
• Meanwhile, pierce potatoes with fork. Place potatoes on microwavable paper towel in microwave oven. Microwave uncovered on High 6 minutes or until partially cooked. Cool 10 minutes. Peel and thinly slice potatoes; set aside.
• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef and onions over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is absorbed.
• In 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Stir in flour and remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in rosemary and garlic.
• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spread half of the meat sauce in baking dish. Top with potato slices. Place half of the zucchini slices over potatoes; sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining meat sauce, remaining zucchini and 1/2 cup cheese. Pour white sauce over top. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.
• Bake uncovered 45 to 55 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

TOMATO ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9x9-inch pan.
• In a large bowl, combine Cheddar, Parmesan, oregano, basil, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• Arrange half of the zucchini slices in the pan. Sprinkle 1/4 of the cheese and herb mixture on top. Arrange half of the tomatoes, and top with another 1/4 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, and cook until soft and translucent. Stir in breadcrumbs; cook until they have absorbed the butter. Sprinkle on top of casserole.
• Cover loosely with foil, and bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake until the top is crusty and the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

LAYERED SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH ZUCCHINI BLACK BEAN #RAGU

Steps:

• Cut squash in halve lengthwise; scoop out seeds and discard. Place squash face down in a 9" pie plate filled with about ½" water. The squash will not fit exactly but will overlap on each side. Microwave 8 minutes or until al dente. Let cool. Using a fork, scrape the squash into their natural strands and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with ½-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and 2-ounces crumbled feta cheese. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1-tablespoon oil over medium-low heat. Stir in the carrot and celery. Cover and sauté 3 minutes, stirring once. Add zucchini. Combine well with carrot and celery. Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper. Sauté covered about 2 minutes. Stir in black beans and red wine. Simmer uncovered until most of red wine has reduced. Pour Ragú sauce into vegetables and beans along with chopped cilantro and optional hot sauce. Simmer about 10 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce smells fragrant.
• Spray a 2½-quart baking/serving dish with olive oil spray. Layer ½ of the spaghetti squash over the bottom. Pour ½ of the Ragu sauce over the squash. Spread another layer with remaining squash. Add remaining Ragu sauce on top, letting some of the spaghetti squash around the edges peak through. Bake in 350?F oven about 15 minutes until nicely heated through. Remove from oven. Sprinkle with remaining 1-ounce feta cheese and cilantro leaves. Place avocado slices across the top in a decorative pattern. Serve.

LAYERED ITALIAN ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Cut zucchini into 1/8-inch-thick lengthwise slices. Place on baking sheet. Bake 10 min. Meanwhile, mix Neufchatel, egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan and pepper until well blended.
• Layer half the zucchini in 8-inch square baking dish sprayed with cooking spray, overlapping slices as necessary to cover bottom of dish; cover with half each of the Neufchatel cheese mixture and sauce. Repeat layers. Top with remaining Parmesan.
• Bake 18 to 20 min. or until casserole is heated through and top is lightly browned. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

LAYERED GROUND BEEF AND ZUCCHINI LASAGNA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (set oven rack to lowest position).
• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Bring about 5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan.
• Add in the sliced zucchini; simmer for 3 minutes or until just crisp-tender; drain on paper towels or a clean tea towel then cool.
• In a skillet cook the ground beef with onion, dried chili flakes, basil and oregano until the beef is no longer pink; drain fat.
• Add in garlic and continue cooking the beef until lightly browned.
• Add in the pasta sauce; cook for about 10-15 minutes, season with salt and pepper; remove from heat.
• In a bowl mix together the ricotta with egg/s, garlic powder, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, dried parsley; mix to combine, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Arrange all of the zucchini slices in the bottom of the baking dish (the slices do not have to be in one layer) then sprinkle with about 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs.
• Dollop HALF of the ricotta mixture over the breadcrumbs, then cover with HALF of the beef mixture, then sprinkle about 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top.
• Repeat the layers with remaining 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, ricotta mixture, then meat mixture (reserve the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese for the top after baking).
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup or more Parmesan cheese over the top of the meat mixture.
• Place the baking dish on a baking sheet to catch any spills.
• Bake uncovered for about 44-50 minutes or until heated through.
• Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese on top and return to oven for another 5-8 minutes.