Meal Prep

Easy Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken

Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.
~ Carrie Tyler ~ 2 Comments
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Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Their eyes, intensely focused on me, conveyed urgency and despair. Words that shot through their lips were sharp. The air was thick with tension. Was this an angry mob? No, this was my family…looking for dinner. Again. Is this a familiar scene?? Yes, well then, you are probably a Mom. But here is a make-ahead dinner to turn this nightly nightmare into a beautiful dream.  This is my Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers Skillet with Ground Chicken!

This recipe takes a stuffed pepper and deconstructs it is so it’s super easy to make.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cilantro, cheese, and corn tortillas. Finally, nutty and hearty brown rice is mixed and cooked in with all of this goodness to created one delicious dinner.  It’s smokey, savory, hearty, and utterly delicious!

Want more tips for making busy family dinners easier?  Click here for my Free Printable 5 Simple Steps to Easy Family Dinners!

BELL PEPPERS HAVE MORE VITAMIN C THAN ORANGES!

Bell peppers come in a variety of colors and add so much color and flavor to recipes!  But, aside from looking pretty and tasting good, they also have some wonderful health benefits!  They are low in calories and exceptionally rich in vitamins and antioxidants.  Bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C and are a great source for vitamins B6, K1, A, and E.  In fact, bell peppers have more vitamin C than oranges!  One medium-sized red bell pepper provides 169% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for vitamin C.  They also have minerals, such as potassium and folate.

So eat bell peppers for a snack or add them to scrambled eggs, mix into salads, or try them in these recipes:

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Nothing special for this one! Just a medium pot with lid for the rice and a wide-bottom pot, such as a dutch oven. My prized possession dutch oven was perfect for this! Or any good quality enameled cast iron 5-6 quart dutch oven with lid is great.

PREP-AHEAD TO MAKE YOUR TEX MEX UNSTUFFED PEPPERS

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below)

Clean the bell peppers and discard the seeds and membranes. Rough chop into 1/2 to 1 inch chunks. Chop the cilantro.

Chopped green and red bell peppers and cilantro on a cutting board for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

The corn tortillas act as a thickener as well as bring a familiar corn flavor to this dish!  Cut them into 1 inch long, 1/4 inch thick strips. Measure out all of the seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and salt).

Hand holding tortillas cut into strips for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Can I use any other types of peppers?

Absolutely!  Poblano or Cubanelle peppers would be fantastic peppers to include.  These are less sweet than bell peppers, but do not carry much heat, so still a nice mild option.  If you want to add heat, then jalapeno peppers would be a great addition.  Of course, you can go with other peppers that carry even more heat, but then you are getting into “spicy” territory and I know my kids would run the other direction! 

Can I use fresh onion and garlic?

Of course fresh is always a preference, however, that will add prep time for dicing and mincing.  If you have the time, great!  When you get to the cooking steps, you will add these in half way through the chicken cooking. So you start searing and browning the chicken, then stir and add the onions and garlic, finish cooking the chicken, and then continue to follow the steps from there.

COOK YOUR TEX MEX UNSTUFFED PEPPERS

For the rice, I used a medium-grain brown rice because it adds more flavor than white rice.  However, you can of course use any rice that you prefer.  You can cook it ahead and store the rice in the fridge. Just warm it up before adding it to the pot in the step below.

Everything else cooks in one large pot.  I start with the peppers and then remove them while cooking the chicken so that they don’t get too mushy.  Cook the peppers only for 3-4 minutes, just until they start to glisten. Transfer the peppers to a plate.

Chopped green and red bell peppers cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

To the same pot/pan on high heat, add the ground chicken and seasoning blend.  Mix to combine, then let sit! Let it brown on one side for 3-4 minutes. Then stir again and let cook through for another 4-5 minutes, until there is no longer any pink – stirring after a few minutes to ensure even cooking.

Hand holding small bowl of seasonings over ground chicken cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Seasoned ground chicken cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Once the chicken is cooked, mix in the peppers you set aside, the canned diced tomatoes, green chilies, and tortilla strips. Turn the heat to Medium and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, mix in the rice and cook for a final 5 minutes covered.

Pouring broth into pot with ground chicken cooking, peppers, and tomatoes for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Mixing cooked rice into pot with ground chicken cooking, peppers, and tomatoes for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Turn off the heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the remaining will go on top) and chopped cilantro (leave a small amount for garnish).

Adding shredded cheese to pot of cooked Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Pot of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken and cheese sprinkled on top op.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Serve a heaping bowlful with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese and cilantro.

Can I freeze this?

Yes, this will freeze quite well.  Cool the cooked recipes in the fridge first, then freeze in a freezer-safe container.  It will keep for 4-6 months.  When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours before reheating.  You can also reheat it from frozen state in the oven 350 F degrees for 60 minutes or until the center is hot.

ENJOY!  😍 Carrie

Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!

Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.
5 from 1 vote
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Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken

Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken takes a stuffed pepper and deconstructs it is so it's super easy to make.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, and corn tortillas. Finally, nutty and hearty brown rice is mixed and cooked in with all of this goodness to created one delicious dinner.  It's smokey, savory, hearty, and utterly delicious!

Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chicken recipes, easy dinner, ground chicken, rice, stuffed peppers, Tex Mex
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 379 kcal
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Uncooked Brown Rice (you can use white)
  • 3 Sweet Bell Peppers (red, yellow, green, or orange)
  • 1 pound Ground Chicken (I used 99% lean)
  • 2 teaspoons Olive Oil (divided)
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 2 teaspoons garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
  • 1.5 tablespoons Chili Powder
  • 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 28 ounces Diced Tomatoes
  • 4 ounces Green Chilies (1 can)
  • 5 Corn tortillas, size 6”
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, Chopped

Optional Toppings (not included in Calories per serving)

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, Chopped

Instructions

Prep Steps

  1. Clean the bell peppers and discard the seeds and membranes. Rough chop into 1/2 to 1 inch chunks. Chop the cilantro.

    Chopped green and red bell peppers and cilantro on a cutting board for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  2. Cut the tortillas into 1 inch long, 1/4 inch thick strips. Measure out all of the seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and salt).

    Hand holding tortillas cut into strips for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

Cooking Steps

  1. Cook the rice. Rinse the rice under water in a strainer until the water runs clear. Add to 2 cups of water with a pinch of salt and bring up to a boil. Turn the water down to a low simmer, cover and cook for 20 minutes. Once the rice is done, turn off the heat, but leave the pot covered and undisturbed until you are ready to use. (NOTE: you can also do this step ahead and store the rice in the fridge. Just warm it up before adding it to the pot in the step below).)

  2. Preheat a large pot/pan on High heat. To the hot pan, add the olive oil and chopped peppers. Stir to coat in oil and then let cook for 3-4 minutes, just until they start to glisten. Transfer the peppers to a plate.

    Chopped green and red bell peppers cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  3. To the same pot/pan on high heat, add another teaspoon of olive oil, the ground chicken, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Mix to combine, then let sit! Let it brown on one side for 3-4 minutes. Then stir again and let cook through for another 4-5 minutes, until there is no longer any pink – stirring after a few minutes to ensure even cooking.

    Seasoned ground chicken cooking in pot for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  4. Once the chicken is cooked, mix in the peppers you set aside, the canned diced tomatoes, green chilies, and tortilla strips. Turn the heat to Medium and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, mix in the rice and cook for a final 5 minutes covered.

    Pouring broth into pot with ground chicken cooking, peppers, and tomatoes for Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  5. Turn off the heat and mix in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (the remaining will go on top) and chopped cilantro (leave a small amount for garnish).

    Adding shredded cheese to pot of cooked Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

  6. Serve a heaping bowlful with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese and cilantro. Enjoy!

    Bowl of Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers with Ground Chicken with a dollop of sour cream and a tortilla chip dipped in.  Juicy Sweet Bell Peppers are chopped up and cooked with the Tex Mex style ground chicken, tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, cheese, rice and corn tortillas.

White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

~ Carrie Tyler ~ 1 Comment
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Oh my goodness, this is one knock-your-socks-off dinner!  It’s my White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef and it’s creamy, rich, hearty, and mouthwatering delicious.  You get layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef mixed with herbs, seasonings, and creamy cheese, plus a silky white sauce in every layer.  This is one of my absolute favorite new dinners!  

It’s not only a favorite because it’s yummy, but also because it’s easy!  You can make this entire lasagna ahead and reheat it or even freeze it.  If you like dinners that you can freeze, you will love these Five 5-Ingredient Freezable Dinners – with Grocery List!

Piece of White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef with browned melted cheese on top on a plate with parsley. It's a make-ahead family dinner! It's creamy, hearty, and delicious with layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef, creamy cheese, and a silky white sauce. 

The Amazing Zucchini! 

Zucchini is one of my all time favorite veggies!  First, zucchini has great health benefits!  It’s low in calories and packed with vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin A.  Zucchini is also rich in antioxidants that are linked to benefits for your eyes, skin, and heart.

Second, zucchini is so versatile with a mild fresh flavor that goes with just about anything.  The texture mimics noodles, so you can spiralize it into zoodles or slice it long and wide like in this recipe for lasagna!  You can hollow it out for stuffed Zucchini Boats, add it to Stir Fries, or add it as filler to meatballs.  So many options!  Here are my favorites…

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

For the beef filling you need either a large frying pan/skillet or a wide-bottom pot, such as dutch oven.

You also need a casserole dish that’s approximately 10×10 or similar.

PREP-AHEAD STEPS FOR YOUR WHITE LASAGNA RECIPE

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below)

You can prepare the zucchini, beef filling, and white sauce ahead and store in the fridge.

Prepare the zucchini by cutting it into long strips from stem to stem that are about 1/4 inch thick. They will resemble the size of lasagna noodles. You should get 4 long strips per zucchini.

Hand holding slice of zucchini on a cutting board for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and measure out the fennel seed, oregano, salt, and pepper. Then add all to the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.

Preheat a large pot or dutch oven on medium-high heat and add in a teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add the ground beef mixture and break it up. Let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through until it gets browned.

Ground beef and herbs cooking in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Stir in the cream cheese until melted and combined. Turn off the heat and stir in half (4oz) of the mozzarella. Set aside off the heat until ready to the assemble.

Cheese added to ground beef and herbs cooking in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Make the White Sauce. First, warm the milk slightly in the microwave or in a pot. Preheat a separate medium sauce pot on medium-low heat and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and let it cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk until fully combined into a smooth thick mixture. Slowly whisk in the broth. Stir in the salt and remove from the heat.

Whisk mixing white sauce roux in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Whisk mixing white sauce in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Can I use Ground Chicken instead?

Yes!  Absolutely, ground chicken or ground turkey will both work great in this recipe.  The beef will render more fat and therefore, more moisture.  So you may need to add a splash of milk to the ground chicken when you mix in the cheese to help it mix in.

ASSEMBLE & COOK YOUR WHITE LASAGNA RECIPE

Before you start to assemble, make sure that your lasagna noodles are ready. If they are no-boil noodles, you are set. Otherwise, you need to par-cook them in boiling water for just a few minutes so they are pliable.

Layer 1 – Start by spooning a thin layer of the white sauce onto the bottom, just so the pasta sheets don’t stick to the bottom. Then add the first layer of lasagna noodles. Layer white sauce over the noodles and then top with HALF of the beef mixture. Next, top with a layer of HALF of the Zucchini strips (usually 4 strips), and then more white sauce.

Ladle pouring white sauce over lasagna noodles in dish for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Ladle pouring white sauce over zucchini slices on top of beef and lasagna noodles in dish for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Layers 2 – Repeat – Add a layer of noodles, white sauce, the remaining half of the beef mixture, and the final layer of zucchini strips and more white sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and parsley on top.

Ladle pouring white sauce over lasagna noodles in dish for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Ladle pouring white sauce over zucchini slices on top of beef and lasagna noodles in dish for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Shredded cheese and parsley on top of assembled White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Cover your lasagna with aluminum foil and then bake on the center rack for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes. For the last 5 minutes, I turn the broiler on to get a nice browned top. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.

White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef with browned melted cheese on top in casserole dish! It's a make-ahead family dinner! It's creamy, hearty, and delicious with layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef, creamy cheese, and a silky white sauce. 

How do I freeze this and reheat it?

You can freeze your fully assembled lasagna either cooked or uncooked.  If you freeze it uncooked, you will want to thaw it in the fridge for 24 hours before baking it.  If it is fully thawed through to the center, simply bake according to the instructions.  If you freeze it fully cooked, you should still thaw it in the fridge 24 hours ahead, but you could bake it in the oven at 350 F degrees for an hour from frozen state.  Just test the center to see if it is warmed through in the center.  If not, bake for another 10-15 and check again.

ENJOY!  😍 Carrie

Piece of White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef with browned melted cheese on top on a plate with parsley. It's a make-ahead family dinner! It's creamy, hearty, and delicious with layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef, creamy cheese, and a silky white sauce. 
Piece of White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef with browned melted cheese on top on a plate with parsley. It's a make-ahead family dinner! It's creamy, hearty, and delicious with layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef, creamy cheese, and a silky white sauce. 
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White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

This White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef is a delicious make-ahead family dinner! It's creamy, rich, hearty, and mouthwatering delicious.  You get layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef mixed with herbs, seasonings, and creamy cheese, plus a silky white sauce in every layer. 

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword family dinner, lasagna, pasta, zucchini
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

Ground Beef Mixture

  • 1 lb 90% Lean Ground Beef no antibiotics
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 3 teaspoons Parsley
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 6 ounces Cream cheese
  • 8 ounces Shredded Mozzarella (divided for beef and topping)

White Sauce

  • 2 cups 1% milk skim, 2% or whole will work
  • 1 1/2 cups Chicken Broth
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Other Lasagna

  • 8-10 Lasagna Noodles
  • 2 Large Zucchini

Instructions

Prep-Ahead Steps

  1. Prepare the zucchini by cutting it into long strips from stem to stem that are about 1/4 inch thick. They will resemble the size of lasagna noodles. You should get 4 long strips per zucchini.

    Hand holding slice of zucchini on a cutting board for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

  2. Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and measure out the fennel seed, oregano, salt, and pepper. Then add all to the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Mix to combine.

  3. Preheat a large pot or dutch oven on medium-high heat and add in a teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add the ground beef mixture and break it up. Let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring halfway through until it gets browned.

    Ground beef and herbs cooking in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

  4. Stir in the cream cheese until melted and combined. Turn off the heat and stir in half (4oz) of the mozzarella. Set aside off the heat until ready to the assemble.

    Cheese added to ground beef and herbs cooking in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

  5. Make the White Sauce. First, warm the milk slightly in the microwave or in a pot. Preheat a separate medium sauce pot on medium-low heat and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in the flour and let it cook for 1-2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk until fully combined into a smooth thick mixture. Slowly whisk in the broth. Stir in the salt and remove from the heat.

    Whisk mixing white sauce in a pot for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees.

  2. Before you start to assemble, make sure that your lasagna noodles are ready. If they are no-boil noodles, you are set. Otherwise, you need to par-cook them in boiling water for just a few minutes so they are pliable.

  3. Layer 1 – Start by spooning a thin layer of the white sauce onto the bottom, just so the pasta sheets don’t stick to the bottom.  Then add the first layer of lasagna noodles. Layer white sauce over the noodles and then top with HALF of the beef mixture. Next, top with a layer of HALF of the Zucchini strips (usually 4 strips), and then more white sauce.

    Ladle pouring white sauce over zucchini slices on top of beef and lasagna noodles in dish for White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

  4. Layers 2 – Repeat – Add a layer of noodles, white sauce, the remaining half of the beef mixture, and the final layer of zucchini strips and more white sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and parsley on top.

    Shredded cheese and parsley on top of assembled White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef

  5. Cover your lasagna with aluminum foil and then bake on the center rack for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes. For the last 5 minutes, I turn the broiler on to get a nice browned top. Let rest for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.

    White Lasagna Recipe with Zucchini and Ground Beef with browned melted cheese on top in casserole dish! It's a make-ahead family dinner! It's creamy, hearty, and delicious with layers of noodles, zucchini, ground beef, creamy cheese, and a silky white sauce.