Stuffed Zucchini Rolls

This recipe combines three cheeses, hot Italian sausage, and stuffed into zucchini! Your new low carb go-to.

Raise your hand if you love cheese! Raises both hands and looks around to make sure everyone is doing the same.

My first recipe posted on this site (also my most popular), is my stuffed shells. I took that delicious filling and was inspired by Damn Delicious’s use of rolling zucchini vertically. Her creativity and my favorite filling together, makes an amazing dish that you’ll feel less guilty about eating more of!

I used a mandoline to cut the zucchini to ensure all the slices are uniform. If you’re using a mandoline please use the guard and watch your fingers! You can also use a knife, but it will be more difficult to stay uniform and utilize the whole zucchini.

Much like eggplant, zucchini holds a lot of water. We are going to draw this liquid out by placing a baking sheet lined with paper towels and the zucchini on top. Then you are going to salt the zucchini, this helps draw the moisture out and also season the zucchini at the same time.

I place paper towel over the zucchini, take another baking sheet and weigh it down. If you don’t have an extra baking dish or something to weigh it down, after 10 minutes just ensure to press down to draw out all the moisture.

While your zucchini is sweating, time to work on the filling. In a large skillet you’re going to cook the hot Italian sausage, break it down so it has the consistency of a crumble. Remove from the skillet, and then add minced garlic and fresh spinach. Allow the spinach to wilt (don’t you hate how much spinach shrinks?) then put it together with the hot Italian sausage in a bowl.

The rest of the ingredients are: mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta cheese. I try to get the skim/low-fat variety of mozzarella and ricotta if it’s available. I also add one egg, fresh chopped basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. I don’t add additional salt because the cheese is naturally salty and the zucchini has been salted as well.

Now comes the stuffing! Spoon mixture onto the dried zucchini. Leave a little space at the end so the roll can close.

I add some mozzarella then you roll! I use two fingers to hold in the stuffing while I roll so it doesn’t fall out, if it does no worries. You don’t want to overstuff or else they won’t properly close.

Once you have your roll you are going to put it in your oven safe skillet. I get a lot of questions about tomato sauce in a cast iron skillet, as long as your cast iron is properly seasoned it can handle the acid from the sauce. You can also use a baking dish instead of a skillet.

When you place your rolls in the skillet or baking dish, have the outer flat press up against the wall so it doesn’t unravel. I work from the outside in. It seems tedious rolling them at first, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be a rockstar at it.

Once they are all rolled up, I use a spoon and add a little more arrabbiata sauce in between the rolls. I like to use arrabbiata sauce in this dish because I love the extra spice, if you aren’t fond of spicy you can substitute your favorite red sauce.

I top with cheese, then into the oven for 25 minutes until cheese has melted and begins to brown.

You can turn the broiler on for a few minutes if you want the cheese to crisp up and brown on top (keep an eye on it).

Serve with freshly chopped basil and if you want more spice, some crushed red pepper on top.

I hope you enjoy this deliciously cheesy dish!

Things you’ll need: mandoline, two baking sheets, 10 inch cast iron skillet or baking dish, large skillet to cook meat, cheese grater.

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Stuffed Zucchini Rolls

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• Author: Stephanie
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

These 3 cheese and hot Italian sausage stuffed zucchini rolls is perfect when you want comfort food, but also want low carb!

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 3 large zucchinis, sliced into thin ribbons with mandoline
• 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
• 3/4 lb hot Italian sausage, (if in link form, remove skin)
• 6 oz bag fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz skim milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup + 1 cup shredded skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2+ 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped + more for garnish
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 4.5 oz jar Arrabbiata sauce

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Instructions

1. Using a mandoline, carefully slice the zucchini long ways into long ribbons. Grab a baking sheet, line with paper towels and lay the zucchini ribbons down flat next to each other. Sprinkle the 1/2 tbsp of kosher salt over the zucchini to draw the moisture out. Place additional paper towels on top, then weigh down with another baking sheet.
2. While the zucchini is prepping, take a large skillet and place over medium high heat. Cook the hot Italian sausage fully through, breaking it up into small pieces. Once it is fully cooked, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside in a large bowl. Lower the heat to medium, add 2 tbsp olive oil, add the minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add in the roughly chopped spinach and sauté until it is wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add to large bowl with sausage inside.
3. In the large bowl add ingredients: ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, parmesan, egg, 1/4 cup fresh basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix until fully combined.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
5. Pour half the jar of arrabbiata sauce into the bottom of the skillet or baking dish and spread evenly. Remove paper towels from zucchini and wipe away any leftover water. Take one spoon of the mix and spread it evenly onto the zucchini ribbon. Sprinkle a few shreds of mozzarella and then roll the zucchini, using your fingers to help keep the stuffing in. Place the roll into the skillet/dish with the opening of the flap against the wall of the dish to keep it from unraveling. Repeat until skillet is full with the rolls.
6. Using a spoon, spoon more arrabbiata sauce in between the rolls, then top with the remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes. If you want the top more browned and bubbly you can broil for a few minutes. Remove from oven, top with fresh basil and serve!

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Notes

• If you skip the salting of the zucchini, the dish will end up very watery.
• To make vegetarian, remove sausage from the recipe.
• Prep time is chopping of ingredients, prepping and rolling zucchini. Cook time is for the active cooking of the sausage, spinach, and the baking of the dish in the oven.

• Category: Dinner
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: zucchini rolls, stuffed zucchini, three cheese, hot Italian sausage, low carb, gluten free