No-Noodle Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients

• 2 large zucchini
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 0.25 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 3 tablespoons hot water, or as needed
• 1 (15 ounce) container low-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• 8 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease a deep 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. Slice zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices. Sprinkle slices lightly with salt; set aside to drain in a colander.
3. To prepare the meat sauce, cook ground beef and black pepper in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add green pepper and onion; cook and stir until meat is no longer pink.
4. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, basil, and oregano; add a small amount of hot water if sauce is too thick. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer sauce for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Meanwhile, stir ricotta, egg, and parsley together in a bowl until well combined.
6. To assemble lasagna, spread 1/2 of the meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared pan. Layer with 1/2 of the zucchini slices, 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, all of the spinach, followed by all of the mushrooms, then 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat by layering in the remaining meat sauce, zucchini slices, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella.
7. Spread parmesan evenly over the top; cover with foil.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil; raise oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake an additional 15 minutes.
9. Let lasagna stand 5 minutes before serving.
10. Serve and enjoy!