{"id":2459,"date":"2026-02-23T13:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=2459"},"modified":"2026-02-23T13:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:14:13","slug":"i-tried-melissa-joan-harts-family-casserole-recipe-i-can-see-why-its-a-favorite","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/?p=2459","title":{"rendered":"I Tried Melissa Joan Hart’s Family Casserole Recipe\u2014I Can See Why It’s a Favorite"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Casseroles deliver comfort in every bite. Most come together in a single pan, which keeps cleanup simple. Layers of hearty ingredients bake into a warm, satisfying dish. And the best part? Those leftovers can carry you through the week.\n<\/p>\n

In an interview with SheKnows<\/a>, Melissa Joan Hart shared her go-to casserole recipe, offering a fresh spin on a classic: lasagna.\n<\/p>\n

“I’m actually really good at making large portions of food like casseroles,” she told the outlet. “My specialty is lasagna.” Instead of sticking with a traditional version or sauces like pesto or Alfredo, she tends to make a vegetarian version, swapping pasta for thin slices of zucchini.\n<\/p>\n

She often prepares more than one at a time, sliding “one in the oven and one in the freezer for later.” These meals win a regular spot in her rotation because they come together “quick.”\n<\/p>\n

On a busy weeknight without much energy to plan dinner, I gave Hart\u2019s zucchini lasagna roll-ups recipe<\/a> a try. Here\u2019s how to make it, along with my honest take and a few tips to help you pull it off in your own kitchen.\n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How To Make Melissa Joan Hart\u2019s Zucchini Casserole Recipe <\/span> <\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n

Ashia Aubourg<\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Slice four medium zucchinis lengthwise into 1\/2-inch strips to form “noodles,” trimming and discarding the ends. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until pliable enough to roll.\n<\/p>\n

Heat a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 minced garlic cloves; saut\u00e9 for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil, 1\/2 teaspoon of fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes; remove and discard the bay leaf.\n<\/p>\n

In a large bowl, combine 18 ounces of ricotta or cottage cheese, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1\/4 cup of grated Parmesan, 1\/2 cup of finely chopped spinach or kale, 1\/4 cup of shredded carrots, and 1 cup of chopped red bell pepper.\n<\/p>\n

Pat the zucchini slices dry. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture over each slice, roll tightly, and arrange seam-side down in a baking dish.\n<\/p>\n

Increase the oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Spoon 1 1\/2 cups of tomato sauce over the rolls, sprinkle with additional cheese, and bake 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese melts and bubbles.\n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Tips for Cooking Melissa Joan Hart\u2019s Zucchini Lasagna <\/span> <\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n

Ashia Aubourg<\/p>\n

<\/span>
\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While preparing Hart\u2019s lasagna, I struggled to slice the zucchini into even strips. A mandoline would have streamlined the process, but using a knife made it difficult to cut out consistent 1\/2-inch slices. Many pieces turned out too thick or too thin, so I skipped the roll-up method and assembled the dish as a layered casserole instead.\n<\/p>\n

That switch paid off. The zucchini stayed tender and juicy, the sauce delivered plenty of flavor, and each bite offered a satisfying layer of melted cheese.\n<\/p>\n

If you plan to make this recipe at home, read on below for some helpful tips to keep in mind.\n<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Use a mandoline.<\/strong> Skip the struggle and reach for a mandoline to get even, 1\/2-inch slices quickly (and safely!). If you prefer not to make roll-ups, cut the zucchini into strips or rounds and layer the ingredients like a classic lasagna instead.<\/li>\n
  • Get creative with the add-ins.<\/strong> Boost the heartiness by browning ground beef, sausage, or turkey, and stirring it into the tomato sauce. That extra protein will add rich and savory flavors.<\/li>\n
  • Swap the vegetables. <\/strong>Try thin slices of butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a twist on zucchini or add mushrooms into the mix. Each option brings a slightly sweeter flavor and hearty texture while still delivering plenty of comfort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n


    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Casseroles deliver comfort in every bite. Most come together in a single pan, which keeps cleanup simple. Layers of hearty ingredients bake into a warm, satisfying dish. And the best part? Those leftovers can carry you through the week. In an interview with SheKnows, Melissa Joan Hart shared her go-to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2460,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kitchen-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2459"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2459\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cupcake.website\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}