Zucchini Lasagna



1 1/2 pounds yellow squash or zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound ground white-meat chicken
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram or oregano
5 cups prepared pasta sauce
8 no-boil lasagna noodles
1 1/4 cups grated Parmesan (3 1/4 ounces)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, with racks in middle and upper third. Divide squash between two rimmed baking sheets. Toss each with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until tender, 20 minutes, stirring squash and rotating sheets halfway through. Let sheets cool on wire racks.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 4 minutes. Add cayenne, basil, and marjoram and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a medium bowl.
3. Spread 1 cup sauce in an 8-inch square baking dish. Top with 2 noodles. Layer with half the chicken, then 1 cup sauce and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Top with 2 more noodles, half the squash, 1 cup sauce, and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients, reserving the last 1/4 cup Parmesan. Cover lasagna loosely with foil and bake on top rack until sauce is bubbling, 35 to 40 minutes. (Place a rimmed baking sheet on middle rack to catch any drippings.) Remove lasagna from oven and heat broiler. Sprinkle with reserved Parmesan and broil until cheese is browned and bubbling, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool 20 minutes before slicing.

Yield: 4 servings

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