Delicious & Healthy Zucchini Cannelloni with Slow-Cooked Pork Ragu: Your Low-Carb Italian Favorite

Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Mediterranean with a dish that redefines comfort food: Zucchini Cannelloni stuffed with a rich, slow-cooked pork ragu. This isn’t just another weeknight meal; it’s a vibrant, flavor-packed experience that brings gourmet tastes right to your table, all while keeping it healthy and gluten-free.

Our unique twist on traditional cannelloni eliminates the pasta entirely, instead using delicate, thinly sliced zucchini ribbons to embrace a hearty filling. Imagine tender, slow-cooked ground pork, simmered to perfection with ripe, diced tomatoes and fragrant fresh basil, all lovingly rolled into these vibrant green “pasta” sheets. Each luscious roll is then crowned with melted, bubbly mozzarella cheese, creating a visually stunning and exquisitely satisfying dish that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Why This Zucchini Cannelloni Recipe Will Become Your New Go-To

This innovative zucchini cannelloni recipe offers a myriad of benefits, making it an irresistible choice for anyone seeking a healthy, flavorful, and satisfying meal. Here’s why you absolutely need to try it:

1. A Gluten-Free Mediterranean Delight: Indulge in the rich, vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine without any gluten. By substituting traditional pasta with fresh zucchini, this dish becomes a fantastic option for those with gluten sensitivities or anyone looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake. Zucchini itself is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a truly wholesome meal.
2. Unforgettable Flavor Profile: The star of this dish is undoubtedly the succulent pork ragu filling. Slow-cooked to maximize its rich, savory notes, it features tender ground pork, bright tomatoes, and aromatic basil. When wrapped in the tender, slightly sweet zucchini and blanketed with melted, gooey mozzarella cheese, every bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will tantalize your taste buds.
3. Surprisingly Simple to Make: Despite its elegant appearance, this recipe is remarkably straightforward to prepare. Don’t let the idea of slicing zucchini deter you – a simple vegetable peeler or a mandoline slicer will yield perfect, uniform ribbons with minimal effort. The ragu comes together easily, and the assembly is a fun, rewarding process, suitable even for novice cooks.
4. Weight Watchers Friendly & Diet Conscious: For those managing their intake, this pork cannelloni is a game-changer. Each generous portion is only 6 points on Weight Watchers, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying meal that won’t derail your healthy eating goals. It’s proof that healthy eating can be both delicious and filling!

Preparation Time: 20 minutes (active)

Cooking Time: 40 minutes (simmering & baking)

Servings: 4 ample portions

Serving Size: Approximately 6 zucchini cannelloni per person (around 500g each)

Weight Watchers Points: 6 WW points per serving

Essential Ingredients for Your Zucchini Cannelloni Masterpiece

Crafting this delicious dish begins with selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the incredible flavors and textures of our zucchini cannelloni.

• 1 teaspoon olive oil (for sautéing)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (approx. 110 g.)
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced (approx. 100 g.)
• 300 g. 96% lean ground pork (the leaner, the better for healthy eating)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (enhances the Mediterranean flavor)
• 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, undrained (for a rich, robust sauce)
• 20 fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped (adds bright, aromatic notes)
• 6 slices low-fat mozzarella cheese (for that perfect melty top)
• 3 large, firm zucchinis (the foundation of our cannelloni)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Zucchini Cannelloni

Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping dish that’s both healthy and incredibly delicious.

1. Prepare the Hearty Pork Ragu (Napolitan Sauce):

Begin by heating the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and diced red bell pepper. Sauté these aromatics, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent, which typically takes about 5 minutes. This step builds the foundational flavors of your ragu.

Next, add the lean ground pork to the skillet. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks, ensuring it browns evenly. Continue cooking for about 8-10 minutes, or until the pork is fully cooked through and no pink remains. Drain any excess fat if necessary, especially if using a higher fat content pork. Season the browned pork mixture generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Pour in the can of diced tomatoes, including their juices, and stir in the chopped fresh basil leaves. Mix everything thoroughly to combine all the wonderful flavors. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. This slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once thickened and fragrant, remove the ragu from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly.

2. Prepare the Zucchini “Pasta” Sheets:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your zucchinis by washing them thoroughly and trimming off both ends. The key to successful zucchini cannelloni is thin, flexible slices. Using a vegetable peeler (a Y-peeler works wonderfully) or a mandoline slicer, carefully slice each zucchini lengthwise into uniform thin strips. Aim for about 12 consistent slices per large zucchini. Don’t worry if some aren’t perfectly uniform; you can overlap them during assembly. The goal is to create pliable “pasta” sheets that will roll up easily.

3. Assemble Your Zucchini Cannelloni:

Lightly grease a baking dish. Lay out two zucchini slices on a clean surface, slightly overlapping them lengthwise to create a wider base. Place a spoonful of the cooled Napolitan pork ragu along one edge of the overlapped zucchini slices. Don’t overfill, as this can make rolling difficult. Carefully roll up the zucchini slices tightly, enclosing the delicious filling. Place the assembled cannelloni, seam-side down, into your prepared baking dish. Repeat this process with the remaining zucchini slices and pork ragu until all the filling and zucchini are used up. Arrange them snugly in the baking dish.

4. Bake to Golden Perfection:

Once all your zucchini cannelloni are beautifully assembled in the baking dish, cover them evenly with the low-fat mozzarella cheese slices. Ensure each roll gets a good coating of cheese. This will create a golden, bubbly crust when baked. Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The cannelloni are ready when the cheese is gloriously melted and bubbly, and the zucchini strips are tender but still hold their shape. The aromas filling your kitchen will be incredible!

5. Serve & Savor:

• Carefully remove the baked zucchini cannelloni from the oven. For an extra touch of indulgence, you can top generously with additional fresh mozzarella cheese slices or a sprinkle of Parmesan, if desired, right after removing from the oven to allow it to gently melt.
• Let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the cannelloni to set slightly, making them easier to handle.
• Garnish with a handful of fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
• Serve immediately and enjoy this truly delicious, healthy, and satisfying twist on classic Italian cannelloni! It’s perfect as a main course or a sophisticated side dish.

Elevate Your Dish: Creative Variations and Smart Substitutions

This zucchini cannelloni recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it to your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to inspire your culinary creativity:

1. Protein Power Play: While pork ragu is fantastic, feel free to swap the ground pork for other lean proteins. Ground chicken breast or turkey breast are excellent choices if you’re looking to further minimize Weight Watchers points or prefer poultry. For a richer, more traditional flavor, a mixture of ground beef and pork works wonderfully, adding depth and a more robust texture to the ragu. For a vegetarian option, consider a lentil-based ragu or a mushroom and spinach filling.
2. Creamy Indulgence with Light Béchamel: For an extra layer of luxuriousness, consider adding a light béchamel sauce. Simply drizzle a thin layer of this creamy sauce over each layer of cannelloni in the baking dish before adding the mozzarella. To make a light béchamel, whisk skim milk with a small amount of cornstarch (or flour), a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and a dash of white pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to your desired consistency. This addition provides a wonderful creamy counterpoint to the savory ragu.
3. Cheese Choices: Experiment with different cheeses! A blend of mozzarella and ricotta can be used in the filling or as a topping. For a sharper flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese over the top before baking.
4. Vegetable Boost: Enhance the ragu by finely dicing other vegetables like carrots, celery, or mushrooms and sautéing them with the onion and bell pepper. This not only adds more nutrients but also deepens the complexity of the sauce.

Expert Tips and Tricks for Zucchini Cannelloni Success

Achieving perfectly rolled, flavorful zucchini cannelloni is easy with these insider tips:

1. Choose Your Zucchini Wisely: Opt for large, firm, and relatively straight zucchinis. Their size will provide longer, wider slices, which are much easier to roll and hold the filling securely. The firmer the zucchini, the easier it will be to slice thinly without breaking.
2. Master the Slicing Technique: While a vegetable peeler works, a mandoline slicer is truly your best friend here. It ensures uniform thickness, which is crucial for even cooking and flexible rolls. Don’t be afraid to slice plenty of zucchini sheets; each cannelloni typically benefits from 2 to 4 overlapped sheets to create a sturdy wrapper. If your slices aren’t perfectly even, don’t fret! Overlapping them slightly provides a robust base for your roll-ups.
3. The Dry Ragu Secret: Ensure your pork ragu is quite dry, with minimal excess juices. A watery ragu can make the zucchini rolls soggy and difficult to hold their shape. If your sauce seems too wet, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce.
4. Layering for Perfection: I recommend arranging the cannelloni in two layers in your baking dish. However, depending on the size and depth of your dish, you might be able to fit up to three layers. The crucial point here is to remember to layer mozzarella cheese not just on top, but also between each layer of cannelloni. This ensures every bite is cheesy and helps bind the layers together.
5. Cheese Topping Timing: To prevent the final layer of mozzarella cheese from over-browning or becoming too crisp, consider adding it only during the last 5-10 minutes of baking, or even right after removing the cannelloni from the oven. The residual heat will perfectly melt the cheese without burning it. For an extra savory kick, sprinkle two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese on top just before serving.

With these expert tips and tricks, you’ll master the art of making zucchini cannelloni like a seasoned chef. Prepare to impress your family and friends with this delightful, healthy, and incredibly flavorful twist on a beloved classic dish!

Understanding the Weight Watchers Points Breakdown

Here’s a clear breakdown of the Weight Watchers points for each ingredient, helping you stay on track with your dietary goals:

Olive oil: 1 point
Onion: 0 points
Black pepper: 0 points
Canned diced tomatoes: 0 points
Red bell pepper: 0 points
Private Selection Mediterranean Basil Leaves: 0 points
Uncooked 96% lean ground pork: 8 points
Table salt: 0 points
Alpine Lace® Reduced fat mozzarella shingle pack slices: 14 points
Uncooked zucchini: 0 points