This delicious zucchini pizzaiola transforms simple summer vegetables into a satisfying Italian comfort dish that captures all the beloved flavors of pizza without the crust. Layers of grilled zucchini, rich tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and aromatic basil create a nutritious meal that’s perfect for showcasing abundant zucchini harvest.
Ingredients
- 1kg zucchini (2.2 lbs/35 oz) – zucchine
- 500ml tomato passata (2 cups/17 fl oz) – passata di pomodoro
- 300g pizza mozzarella (10.6 oz), cubed – mozzarella per pizza
- 15 fresh basil leaves (15g) – foglie di basilico
- 200g Grana Padano DOP (7 oz), grated – Grana Padano cheese
- 1 pinch chili powder (0.5g) – pizzico di peperoncino in polvere
- 1 garlic clove (3g) – spicchio d’aglio
- Salt to taste – sale
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (30ml) – cucchiai di olio extravergine d’oliva
Instructions
- Prepare zucchini by washing and cutting them, slicing with a mandoline into 5mm (¼-inch) thick slices.
- Grill the zucchini on a hot grill pan until tender with nice grill marks. Place grilled zucchini on a plate and season with extra virgin olive oil and salt.
- Make tomato sauce by adding peeled garlic with extra virgin olive oil to a pan. Add tomato passata and half a glass of water, cook for about 15 minutes.
- Season the sauce by removing garlic, adjusting salt, and flavoring with chili powder and torn basil leaves.
- Layer the dish in a non-stick pan by putting some sauce on the bottom, adding grilled zucchini, cubed mozzarella, Grana Padano, and basil. Create a total of three layers.
- Cook covered on low heat for 20 minutes, then remove the lid and continue for another 5 minutes.
- Rest before serving – let cool slightly before serving to allow layers to set.
Time, Serving & Nutrition
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6 portions
Nutrition (per serving): Approximately 265 calories, 18g fat, 12g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 18g protein
Why This Recipe is Good for You
Zucchini pizzaiola is a nutrient-dense, low-carb alternative to traditional pizza that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Zucchini provides vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants while being naturally low in calories and high in water content. The tomato sauce delivers lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health. High-quality cheeses like mozzarella and Grana Padano provide protein and calcium for bone health. Fresh basil adds anti-inflammatory compounds and aromatic flavor. This dish offers all the satisfying tastes of pizza in a vegetable-forward format that supports healthy eating goals.