I noticed that I’ve written a lot about keeping summer vibes high this year. I think it’s because I have been on what may be my last maternity leave and while we haven’t done a ton of travel, I am trying to make it feel as special as possible. The solution has been to lean into anything that simply feels like summer. Whether it is hitting up our friends who have lucked into having a pool or going to the local golf course to watch a World Cup game on the lawn, I really am trying to embody summer! 

This recipe feels like summer to me and has been on the docket over and over again. It’s a great side dish to complete a grilled steak or chicken. And it surprisingly removes the need for a carb because the marinara sauce and cottage cheese fill you up… while the zucchini/squash gives it some semblance of health. It really is a stunner. And so easy to make. All in all it takes about 40 minutes to bake but if you roast the summer squash ahead of time, you can assemble the whole thing and just bake for 20 minutes right before you eat. This makes it great for a crowd or if you have a slow morning but busy afternoon and still want an easy hot meal at the end of the day. 

And if you are hesitant with the cottage cheese, believe me when I say that when you bake it, the curdy texture completely dissipates. I was once a cottage cheese hater and still won’t eat it plain, but the high-protein internet trends wore me down and I now use it in sauces, eggs, and other baked goods since you can’t tell it’s in there!

Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

Serving Size: 4-6

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 400F. 
• Meanwhile slice the zucchini into ½ inch rounds. Toss them with olive oil, salt and pepper.
• Spray a cooking sheet with olive oil and place the zucchini in a layer on the sheet. 
• Roast for 20 mins. 
• Once roasted, remove from the oven and place in a deep baking dish. 
• Pour most of the jar of marinara sauce on the bottom of the dish. 
• Then layer the zucchini. 
• On top of the zucchini, sprinkle the cottage cheese and mozzarella evenly on top. 
• Add the last bit of marinara sauce on top along with the parmesan cheese. 
• Bake once more for 20 mins. 
• Enjoy with fresh parsley, other preferred Italian seasonings, red chili flakes, or simply by itself!