Layered Zucchini Ragu Bake Recipes

VEGETABLE RAGU ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook garlic and onion in oil about 5 minutes or until soft. Add bell pepper; cook 5 minutes. Add spinach; cook until spinach is wilted. Stir in pasta sauce, salt and pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until thickened.
• Meanwhile, cut zucchini into 1/8-inch slices using knife or mandolin. Sprinkle zucchini with salt; set aside 10 minutes. Zucchini has a lot of water when cooked; salting it takes out a lot of moisture. Blot off excess moisture with paper towel.
• Heat gas or charcoal grill. Place zucchini on grill over high heat. Cover grill; cook until lightly charred on both sides. Again, use a paper towel to blot excess moisture.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese and egg.
• Spread some of the red sauce in bottom of baking dish; layer with enough zucchini to cover. Next, spread with half of the ricotta cheese mixture; top with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until ingredients are used up, making sure to top off with sauce and mozzarella. Cover with foil.
• Bake about 45 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted. Let stand about 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil.

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.