These Pesto Ricotta Zucchini Roll Ups take about 20 minutes to make, including cook time, and are made from all simple, dairy free and Whole30 compliant ingredients. While being easy and nutritious, this dish is packed with flavor and is one that is perfect for special occasions and busy weeknight dinners alike.
Pesto Ricotta Zucchini Roll Ups
This recipe is as easy as it is delicious! It only requires a few ingredients and just about 20 minutes of your time. Plus, they’re fun to make and to eat!
DIETARY NOTES
This recipe is made with real ingredients and fits seamlessly into the following dietary needs when using the products/brands (or ones that are similar) listed in the recipe:
- gluten free
- soy free
- refined/added sugar free (using compliant marinara)
- dairy free (using compliant ricotta and pesto, I use Kite Hill ricotta and homemade pesto)
- grain free
- Whole30 (using compliant ricotta and pesto, I use Kite Hill ricotta and homemade pesto)
- vegetarian (when made without meat in the sauce)
- vegan (using compliant ricotta and pesto, I use Kite Hill ricotta and homemade pesto)
Easy, Homemade Pesto
This pesto recipe takes just a few seconds and a handful of natural, real ingredients to make. It pairs amazing with so many recipes, and is perfect for this one!
Click here for my favorite, dairy free, 5 ingredient pesto recipe!
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
If you’re looking for more pesto recipes:
If you’re looking for more zucchini recipes:
- Whole30 & Paleo Zucchini Noodle Carbonara
- Creamy Pesto Zucchini Noodles
- Whole30 Zucchini Noodle Ramen
- Flourless Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
FOLLOW ALONG
Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see all of the behind the scenes of recipe creation as well as how to videos to watch them come to life! You can also head over to my Pinterest to save all of my recipes in one spot that you plan whip up in the future.
PS – If you make this delicious dish or any of my other recipes, I would be so grateful if you left a review so I can hear what you think! I also am happy to answer any questions you may have on here, but if you want a quicker response, be sure to shoot me a message on Instagram. Thank you so much and talk soon!
Pesto Ricotta Zucchini Roll Ups
Equipment
- Mandoline or Veggie Peeler
- Oven Safe Skillet
- Food Processor (if making your own pesto)
Ingredients
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ lb ground meat of choice (optional)
- ½ onion, chopped
- 2 cups marinara sauce (check for no sugar added)
- 1 tbsp basil, fresh or 1 tsp dry
- 1 tbsp oregano, fresh or 1 tsp dry
- 1 tbsp thyme, fresh or 1 tsp dry
- salt & pepper, to taste
- red pepper flakes (optional)
Zucchini Roll Ups
- 3 zucchini
- 1 cup ricotta (I use Kite Hill for dairy free and Whole30 compliant)
Pesto (Optional, can also use compliant store bought)
- 2 cups basil leaves, packed
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425° F.
- Ribbon your zucchini from top to bottom using a mandoline or veggie peeler.
- Line up the zucchini slices on towels and sprinkle with salt, then set aside.
- If making homemade pesto, do so now using a food processor. Then, combine pesto and ricotta in a bowl and mix until fully incorporated.
- If using meat, cook it until browned in an oven safe skillet on the stove with olive oil, then add in the onion. If not using meat, cook your onion until fragrant.
- Add the sauce, herbs, salt and pepper and mix to incorporate. Keep the sauce on very low heat while you prepare your roll ups.
- Grab two zucchini ribbons and lay one on top of the other, intersecting in the center to make an "X" shape. Place one tbsp of pesto ricotta in the middle, then fold the ends inward to make an enclosed roll up.
- Place each roll up seam side down into the sauce.
- Place the oven safe skillet in the oven to cook for 15 minutes.
- When it's done, top with additional fresh herbs, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes, if you'd like.
So flavorful, so easy to meet any dietary restrictions/ preference. Absolutely loved this recipe. I saw the reel on Kayla’s IG and ran to get the recipe when she posted it, and proceeded to make it immediately.
It was so simple and quick, and no one was harmed while using the mandolin! I knocked the entire recipe out in probably 45 minutes, including a 15-20 min bake. Even better it held up so well to take for lunch the next day. My coworkers were jealous 🙂
Nothing better than an actually delicious weekday lunch, right?! So glad you loved this recipe, that is was easy for you and that you found it to be super dietary inclusive! Also, glad to hear no one was harmed with the mandolin. 🙂
Thank you Kayla for creating this recipe. I love it! Your recipes are all so delicious and this one is my favorite. It has such a vibrant taste and reminds me of a dish I once had in Italy. Its absolutely delicious!!! You are such a great cook and have inspired me to truly enjoy cooking more than I ever have in the past. I look forward to your Instagrams everyday for new ideas!
Reminds you of a dish you had in Italy?! Okay, paint me FLATTERED! I am so thrilled that you are not only loving the recipes but also are loving cooking more than ever! Thank you so much for being a part of my community and for making my recipes, Michele!!
This was my first recipe of yours to make and It was a hit! It was easy, flavorful and delicious… oh and looked beautiful! Everyone was wowed when I pulled It out of the oven! I used the kite hill ricotta and no one could tell It was dairy free with the mix of ricotta with the pesto. Thank you for a great recipe I will definitely be making more of yours!
Aw, Beth that made me so happy to read! I’m so glad you loved this recipe and that you shared it with loved ones. The kite hill ricotta is amazing, it’s what I use too! Thanks so much for this kind review and I can’t wait to hear what you make next!
These turned out absolutely perfect! They are so tasty and extra fun to assemble. Served with bread and orzo and it was so lovely. Can’t recommend this enough!
Thank you so much, Stefanie! So glad you loved these and that you had fun assembling them too. 🙂
My friends absolutely loved it and asked for the recipe, it was delicious and I will definitely make it again. (I’m not a good cook at all so this was the first time I made a serious dish). Thank you so much for sharing your recipes with the world!
That is awesome, Rhode!! I am so glad this was a doable recipe for you and that you and your friends loved it! Makes me so happy to hear. 🙂
Literally my favorite recipe I have made in the last year! These are SOSOOO good! I have a small list of meal prep clients and this is the fan favorite for sure!
Ah that is so amazing to hear, I am so flattered! Thank you tons, Shannon. 🙂