Zucchini Rollatini Recipe

If you’ve never tried Zucchini Rollatini, you’re in for a treat that feels both indulgent and nourishing! Tender zucchini slices are filled with a luscious ricotta and Italian sausage filling, gently rolled, nestled in savory marinara sauce, and crowned with bubbling, golden cheese. The result is a dish that manages to be comforting and light all at once—perfect for a cozy night in or to impress guests at your next dinner gathering. Whether you’re a vegetable enthusiast or just craving a twist on classic Italian flavors, this Zucchini Rollatini delivers big flavor with a stunning presentation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Zucchini Rollatini recipe keeps things simple but purposeful—the fresh, high-quality ingredients each play a special role. From the creamy ricotta to the savory sausage and the aromatic herbs, every component enhances the dish’s texture, color, and crave-worthy flavor.

• Zucchini: Look for small to medium zucchini for easy rolling and the right balance of flavor and tenderness.
• Keto Marinara Sauce: A tangy, sugar-free marinara sauce brings a bright, saucy base and keeps this dish low-carb.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, mild ricotta is the filling’s star, adding lusciousness and holding everything together.
• Italian Sausage (ground): Adds a burst of savory, slightly spicy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the mild ricotta and zucchini.
• Mozzarella Cheese (shredded): For that irresistible gooey, golden topping every baked Italian dish needs.
• Parmesan Cheese (grated): Brings a salty, nutty punch to the filling, adding depth and richness.
• Egg: Acts as a binder in the filling, helping everything hold its shape when rolled and baked.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, aromatic warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
• Fresh Basil (chopped): Brings unmistakable freshness and brightness—use extra for garnish if you love basil!
• Fresh Parsley (chopped): Adds a dash of color and mild, earthy flavor to the filling.
• Salt: Essential for drawing out moisture from the zucchini and seasoning every layer perfectly.
• Ground Black Pepper: Gives the rollatini a gentle kick and rounds out the flavors.

How to Make Zucchini Rollatini

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F—this ensures you’ll have just the right baking environment for bubbling cheese and tender zucchini. Set out all your ingredients and a few tools: a mandolin or sharp knife, a baking sheet, paper towels, and a wire rack. Getting organized now makes the whole Zucchini Rollatini process smooth sailing.

Step 2: Slice and Salt the Zucchini

Using your mandolin or knife, carefully cut your zucchini into very thin strips, aiming for about 28 pieces. Lay them on a layer of paper towels, sprinkle with salt, and cover with another layer. This step is a must—it draws out excess moisture, which is the secret to getting perfectly baked, not watery, rollatini.

Step 3: Let the Zucchini Rest

Allow the salted zucchini slices to rest for 20 minutes. This downtime lets the salt coax out the moisture, making your strips more pliable for rolling and preventing a soggy final dish. It’s a simple trick that makes all the difference in the texture of your Zucchini Rollatini.

Step 4: Bake the Zucchini Slices

After their rest, pat the zucchini dry and arrange them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Pop them into the oven for 10 minutes—this final drying step ensures your rollatini will have a wonderful, satisfying bite and won’t dilute your marinara sauce.

Step 5: Brown the Sausage

While the zucchini bakes, brown your Italian sausage in a skillet, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Once it’s golden and cooked through, set it aside to cool slightly—you’ll mix it into the creamy filling soon.

Step 6: Mix the Filling

Combine your browned sausage with ricotta, parmesan, garlic powder, chopped basil, chopped parsley, egg, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until everything’s well-blended and smells absolutely incredible. This hearty, herb-flecked mixture will fill the zucchini and bring so much flavor to every bite.

Step 7: Fill and Roll

When the zucchini slices are cool enough to handle, pat them dry one more time for good measure. Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each slice and spread it evenly, leaving a small border. Carefully roll each strip up, tucking in the filling as you go.

Step 8: Assemble in the Casserole

Coat your baking dish with a spritz of nonstick spray, then pour in about half of your marinara sauce to form a saucy bed. Place each zucchini roll seam side down in the dish—nestled together and ready for their cheesy finale.

Step 9: Sauce and Cheese It Up

Drizzle a little more marinara sauce over each zucchini rollatini, then sprinkle the tops generously with shredded mozzarella. This ensures every roll gets that classic, gooey, golden finish!

Step 10: Bake Until Bubbly

Slide your dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye out for a bubbly sauce and a beautifully golden cheesy top—mine took 23 minutes exactly, but trust your eyes. Let it cool briefly before serving—it smells so good you’ll hardly be able to wait!

How to Serve Zucchini Rollatini

Garnishes

Garnishing your Zucchini Rollatini is both fun and delicious! A sprinkle of extra fresh basil or parsley adds a pop of color and freshness right before serving. If you love cheese, a final shower of parmesan on top as it comes out of the oven is irresistible, and freshly cracked black pepper makes every bite sing.

Side Dishes

Zucchini Rollatini pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad dressed simply with olive oil and lemon, or for a heartier offering, serve it alongside roasted veggies or crusty low-carb bread. A crisp glass of white wine or sparkling water with lime brings the whole meal together for a breezy Italian-inspired dinner.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to wow dinner guests, try arranging your Zucchini Rollatini in neat rows or a spiral pattern in a round baking dish. For individual portions, you can bake them in ramekins or mini casserole dishes—each guest gets their own beautiful, bubbling rollatini to dig into.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Zucchini Rollatini keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. The flavors continue to meld and deepen, making for a delicious encore lunch or easy weeknight dinner.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze some for later, assemble the rollatini up to the point of baking (don’t add the final layer of mozzarella yet). Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge before topping with mozzarella and baking as directed.

Reheating

To reheat, cover your Zucchini Rollatini with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave—just keep an eye on it so the cheese doesn’t overcook.

FAQs

Can I make Zucchini Rollatini vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the Italian sausage and maybe add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or extra herbs to the filling for a just-as-hearty and flavorful vegetarian version.

How thin should I slice the zucchini?

You want each zucchini slice to be quite thin—about 1/8-inch if you’re using a mandolin. Thin enough to roll easily, but not so thin that they fall apart. This ensures they’re pliable but sturdy for rolling and baking.

My zucchini is releasing a lot of water. Help!

That’s totally normal, but you can minimize this by salting, resting, and pre-baking the slices as described. If you still end up with some liquid, just carefully spoon it off before serving—your Zucchini Rollatini will still be delicious!

Can I use store-bought marinara?

Definitely! Just look for a high-quality, low-sugar marinara to keep things keto-friendly and let those classic Italian flavors shine.

Can I assemble Zucchini Rollatini ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the whole dish, cover, and refrigerate up to a day in advance. Bake it right before serving for a fuss-free, freshly baked dinner.

Final Thoughts

I hope you fall in love with Zucchini Rollatini just like I have. Whether you’re looking for a new family favorite or a fresh twist on classic Italian comfort food, this dish is guaranteed to bring big smiles (and maybe a few requests for seconds) to your table. Grab some zucchini and get rolling—you won’t regret it!

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