No Noodle Zucchini Lasagna

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Heat the olive oil and 5 cloves of minced garlic in a large skillet with a lid over low heat (do not use a deep pot, as you want the water to quickly evaporate and the sauce to become thick). Cook the garlic for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, add the drained tomatoes to a deep bowl. Crush the tomatoes with your hands, until coarse. Add the tomatoes and basil to the skillet and simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until thick. Add some of the reserved liquid from the can of tomatoes if the sauce is too thick.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. As the sauce simmers, slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/8-inch thick slices with a knife or mandolin. Arrange the zucchini on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the zucchini lightly with salt. Bake the zucchini for about 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Remove the zucchini from the oven. Gently roll up the zucchini slices in a towel to get rid of the excess moisture, or just use paper toweling and blot very well. Be careful to keep the slices intact. Add in 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper, and crushed red pepper (if using) to the tomato sauce.

In a food processor or blender, process the tofu, parsley, lemon juice, lemon zest, and remaining clove of garlic until smooth. Add to a large bowl and mix in the ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.

Pour about 1/3 cup of the marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9 × 12 baking pan. Add a layer of zucchini slices, overlapping them slightly. Add 1/3 of the filling mixture over the zucchini, spreading evenly with a spatula. Add about 1/3 of the remaining marinara sauce over the tofu cheese filling. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used up, finishing with marinara sauce. Sprinkle the top of the lasagna with the Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Cover loosely with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 15 minutes more. Remove the lasagna from the oven, let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes so lasagna can settle and it will be easier to cut. Cut into squares.