Description
This Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole is a hearty and flavorful baked dish that combines tender slices of zucchini with savory ground beef cooked in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this casserole blends Italian herbs and fresh ingredients for a satisfying low-carb meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Brown the beef for about 6-8 minutes until fully cooked, then drain any excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Vegetables: To the skillet with beef, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and fragrant.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors blend well.
- Layer Zucchini: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Arrange half of the sliced zucchinis evenly at the bottom of the dish.
- Add Beef Mixture: Spread half of the prepared beef and tomato mixture over the zucchini layer. Repeat layering with the remaining zucchini slices and beef mixture.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Draining excess fat after browning the beef helps reduce greasiness and makes the casserole lighter.
- Letting the beef and tomato mixture simmer enhances the depth of flavor.
- You can substitute mozzarella with a low-fat version to reduce calories.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
