Low-carb courgette lasagne

Low-carb courgette lasagne with beef mince, passata, mozzarella and parmesan: savoury, hearty and with lots of veg instead of pasta sheets.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 20 min
• Cooking time: 40 min
• Total time: 60 min
• Calories: 450 kcal per serving
• Protein: 42 g
• Fat: 28 g
• Carbs: 12 g

Ingredients

• 400g lean beef mince
• 1 white onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 to 4 courgettes
• 1 bottle (500ml) passata
• 1 handful of freshly shaved parmesan
• 200g mozzarella
• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Black pepper
• Coarse salt

Method

You’ll need: oven · baking dish · chopping board · knife

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (160 °C fan). Slice the courgettes lengthways into thin strips, salt them lightly, then pat dry the liquid that comes out.
2. Brown the beef mince well in olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and keep frying until fragrant and cooked through.
3. Stir in the passata and season the sauce with oregano, coarse salt and black pepper. Let it reduce until nice and thick.
4. In a baking dish, layer some meat sauce first, then courgette. Repeat until everything is used up, finishing with courgette.
5. Scatter the mozzarella and parmesan over the top and bake the lasagne at 180 °C for 25–30 min, until the cheese is golden brown and the top is bubbling slightly.
6. Let the courgette lasagne rest briefly before cutting. That way it holds together better and is easier to serve.

Good to know

If you love lasagne but fancy a version with courgette instead of pasta, this is a really good option. Juicy, savoury and full of flavour.

Swaps

Lean beef mince → turkey mince or chicken mince (a little leaner, similar protein content) Mozzarella → buffalo mozzarella or cottage cheese (more flavour or more protein, depending on your choice) Passata → organic chopped tomatoes with nothing added (often less processed, more texture) Olive oil → avocado oil or ghee (heat-stable and no seed oils)

Allergens

Contains dairy. Onion, garlic and tomatoes can cause discomfort if you have a sensitive stomach or IBS, and during pregnancy the dish is fine as long as the beef mince is fully cooked and the mozzarella is pasteurised.

Frequently asked questions

What does courgette bring, even though it tastes so mild?

Courgette contains potassium, vitamin C and smaller amounts of folate, among others. It's mostly water, so it adds volume without feeling heavy.

What's in passata, nutritionally?

Passata provides lycopene, potassium and some vitamin C. Salt content varies by product, so it's worth checking the label.

Why do onion and garlic not suit everyone?

Both contain fructans, which are fermentable carbohydrates. In sensitive people, they can lead to bloating or a feeling of pressure in the tummy, even though they're interesting nutritionally.

Is parmesan just about flavour, or does it add nutrients too?

Parmesan provides concentrated calcium, phosphorus and protein. Thanks to its long ageing, it usually contains very little lactose.

How does mozzarella compare with other cheeses?

That depends on the person. Mozzarella is a fresh cheese with milk protein and fat, but it usually contains less salt than strongly aged cheeses; if you're sensitive to lactose, how you react can vary.