Lasagna Zucchini Boats

Ingredients 

 4 Medium zucchini sliced into halves through the length

1 cup (8.6) part-skim ricotta cheese

1 large egg

1 1/2 T chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

1 1/4 cups (5 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup (2oz) finely shredded parmesan cheese

8 oz 93% lean ground beef or lean ground turkey

4 t. olive oil, dividied

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 3/4  cup roasted garlic marinara sauce (I use Classico)

1 T. chopped fresh basil

Instructions 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Using a spoon, scoop centers from zucchini while leaving a 1/4 inch rim to create boats.  Set aside.

In a mixing bowl stir together ricotta cheese, egg and 1 1/2 of T of parsley.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.  Stir in 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese. Set aside.  \

Heat 2 t of the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Crumble beef into pan, season with salt and pepper ad cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up beef when stirring, until browned.  (there shouldn't be any excess fat but if you happened to use a fattier beef then just drain excess rendered fat). Stir in marinara sauce and 1 T of basil, remove from heat.  

To assemble boats, brush both sides of the zucchini lightly with remaining 2 t olive oil and place in two baking pans (I use and 13x9x9) Divide cheese mixture among zucchini spooning about 2 1/2 T into each, then spread cheese mixture into and even layer. Divide sauce among zucchini adding a few heaping spoonful to each.  Cover baking dish with foil and place in oven side by side and bake in oven until cheese has melted and zucchini is tender, and 5 minutes.  Sprinkle tops with fresh basil and parsley and serve warm.