Keto Turkey Lasagna Roll Ups – Comfort Food With a Low-Carb Twist
If you love classic lasagna but want to keep things light and low-carb, these Keto Turkey Lasagna Roll Ups are your new go-to. They bring all the cozy flavors—savory turkey, creamy cheese, and bright marinara—without the carb-heavy noodles. Each roll is portion-friendly, easy to assemble, and perfect for meal prep.
You get comfort food satisfaction with none of the carb overload. Simple steps, everyday ingredients, and a cheesy, bubbly finish—what’s not to love?
Ingredients
Method
- Prep the zucchini “noodles.” Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice zucchini lengthwise into thin planks. Aim for about 1/8 inch thick so they bend without breaking.
- Draw out excess moisture. Lay slices on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and let sit 10 minutes. Pat dry. For extra insurance, quickly grill or pan-sear slices 1–2 minutes per side, then cool.
- Cook the turkey. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds. Add ground turkey, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook until browned, 5–7 minutes, breaking it up.
- Stir in a bit of sauce. Add 1/2 cup marinara to the turkey to moisten and bind. Simmer 2 minutes, then remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Make the cheese filling. In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Assemble the roll ups. Spread a thin layer (about 1/2 cup) of marinara on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. On a board, lay 2 overlapping zucchini slices to make a wider strip. Spread with 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture, top with 2 tablespoons turkey, then sprinkle a pinch of mozzarella. Roll from the short end and place seam-side down in the dish. Repeat with remaining slices.
- Top and bake. Spoon remaining marinara over the roll ups. Sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes. Cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the zucchini tender but not mushy. If you like golden tops, broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
- Rest and garnish. Let the dish rest 5–10 minutes so the rolls set. Finish with chopped basil or parsley. Serve warm.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe swaps traditional pasta with thinly sliced zucchini, keeping the texture tender and rollable while cutting carbs. Ground turkey keeps it lean and protein-packed, and the ricotta-parmesan blend adds richness without heaviness.
A quick simmer with garlic and herbs builds big flavor in minutes. The roll-up format helps with portion control and bakes evenly, so every bite gets sauce, cheese, and turkey. It’s weeknight-friendly, freezer-friendly, and family-approved.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini, ends trimmed, sliced lengthwise into 1/8-inch sheets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean is ideal)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (whole milk for best texture)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus extra for topping
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups low-carb marinara sauce (no added sugar)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make It
- Prep the zucchini “noodles.” Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to slice zucchini lengthwise into thin planks.
Aim for about 1/8 inch thick so they bend without breaking.
- Draw out excess moisture. Lay slices on paper towels, sprinkle lightly with salt, and let sit 10 minutes. Pat dry. For extra insurance, quickly grill or pan-sear slices 1–2 minutes per side, then cool.
- Cook the turkey. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium.
Add onion and cook 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds. Add ground turkey, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
Cook until browned, 5–7 minutes, breaking it up.
- Stir in a bit of sauce. Add 1/2 cup marinara to the turkey to moisten and bind. Simmer 2 minutes, then remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Make the cheese filling. In a bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, egg, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Assemble the roll ups. Spread a thin layer (about 1/2 cup) of marinara on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
On a board, lay 2 overlapping zucchini slices to make a wider strip. Spread with 1 tablespoon ricotta mixture, top with 2 tablespoons turkey, then sprinkle a pinch of mozzarella. Roll from the short end and place seam-side down in the dish.
Repeat with remaining slices.
- Top and bake. Spoon remaining marinara over the roll ups. Sprinkle with the rest of the mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan.
- Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes. Cheese should be melted and bubbly, and the zucchini tender but not mushy. If you like golden tops, broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
- Rest and garnish. Let the dish rest 5–10 minutes so the rolls set.
Finish with chopped basil or parsley. Serve warm.
Keeping It Fresh
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 325°F until warmed through, or microwave in short bursts.
- Freeze: Assemble, but don’t bake.
Freeze the dish tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed (add 5–10 minutes).
- Moisture control: Zucchini can release water. Par-cook slices and cool before rolling, and let the baked dish rest so liquids redistribute.
- Meal prep: Make two pans—bake one now, freeze one for later.
Portion into single servings for quick lunches.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Keto-friendly: No pasta, minimal carbs, and easy to track macros.
- High protein: Ground turkey plus cheese keeps you satisfied longer.
- Lighter than classic lasagna: All the comfort, less heaviness.
- Customizable: Adjust spice, cheese blend, or herbs to your taste.
- Family-friendly: Familiar flavors make it a hit with picky eaters.
What Not to Do
- Don’t skip drying the zucchini. Too much moisture leads to watery roll ups.
- Don’t overload the filling. A little goes a long way—overfilling makes rolling messy and baking uneven.
- Don’t use a sugary sauce. Choose a marinara with no added sugar to keep carbs in check.
- Don’t overbake. Zucchini turns mushy if baked too long. Pull it when it’s just tender.
- Don’t skip the rest time. Letting it sit helps everything set and slice cleanly.
Alternatives
- Protein swap: Use ground chicken, Italian sausage (look for no-sugar varieties), or a turkey-sausage mix for bolder flavor.
- Cheese variations: Swap ricotta with cottage cheese (blended for smoothness), or add pecorino for a sharp bite.
- Veggie “noodle” options: Try thin eggplant slices or cabbage leaves for a sturdier wrap.
- Sauce twist: Use a creamy Alfredo-style sauce for a white lasagna vibe—just keep it low-carb.
- Dairy-light: Reduce cheese and add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the turkey for more volume and flavor.
FAQ
How thin should I slice the zucchini?
Aim for about 1/8 inch thick. Too thick and they won’t roll; too thin and they tear.
A mandoline makes it easy and consistent.
Can I make this without ricotta?
Yes. Use small-curd cottage cheese blended until smooth, or mascarpone for a richer option. Adjust salt since mascarpone is milder.
What’s the best low-carb marinara?
Look for sauces with 3–5 grams net carbs per 1/2 cup and no added sugar.
Check the ingredient list for clean tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and herbs.
How do I keep the roll ups from falling apart?
Overlap two zucchini slices, don’t overfill, and place each roll seam-side down. The cheese on top helps “glue” everything as it bakes.
Can I cook the turkey ahead of time?
Absolutely. Cook and cool the turkey mixture up to 3 days in advance.
Assemble and bake when you’re ready.
What sides go well with this?
A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, roasted broccoli, or garlicky green beans pair well without adding carbs.
How many roll ups per serving?
Two to three roll ups make a satisfying serving, depending on the size of your zucchini and your appetite.
Will this work in an air fryer?
Yes, in a small oven-safe dish that fits your air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, checking for bubbly cheese and tender zucchini.
Final Thoughts
These Keto Turkey Lasagna Roll Ups deliver big lasagna flavor with a lighter, low-carb approach. They’re simple to prep, easy to customize, and great for busy weeks.
Keep a pan in the freezer for a no-fuss dinner that tastes like you put in way more effort than you did. Comforting, cheesy, and smart—this is one keto recipe you’ll keep on repeat.
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