Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole Recipe

This hearty and delicious Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole is a perfect weeknight dinner that combines savory ground beef, fresh zucchini, and melty cheese into a comforting dish. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to be a family favorite. Let’s dive into the details!

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs zucchini, sliced into rounds πŸ₯’
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil πŸ₯‘
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped πŸ§…
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced πŸ§„
  • 1 lb ground beef (90% lean) πŸ₯©
  • Salt & pepper, to taste πŸ§‚
  • 1 tsp garlic powder 🌿
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
  • Β½ cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese πŸ§€
  • 14 oz can crushed tomatoes πŸ…
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste πŸ…
  • Β½ cup broth or water πŸ’§
  • Β½ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese πŸ§€
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese πŸ§€
  • Fresh basil, for garnish 🌿

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). πŸ”₯
  2. Prepare the Zucchini:
    • Slice the zucchini into rounds and place them in a colander in the sink.
    • Sprinkle with salt to draw out excess water.
    • Allow them to sit while you prepare the rest of the dish. πŸ₯’
  3. Grease the Casserole Dish:
    • Grease or spray a 9Γ—13-inch casserole dish and set aside. πŸ₯„
  4. Cook the Onion and Garlic:
    • In a large skillet or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil over medium heat. 🍳
    • SautΓ© the chopped onion until soft and beginning to brown, about 5-10 minutes. πŸ§…
    • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. πŸ§„
  5. Brown the Ground Beef:
    • Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned.
    • Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. πŸ₯©
  6. Prepare the Sauce:
    • Once the beef is cooked through, add the crushed tomatoes, cottage cheese (or ricotta), Β½ cup of parmesan cheese, tomato paste, and broth or water. Stir until well combined. πŸ…πŸ§€
  7. Dry the Zucchini:
    • After allowing the zucchini to sit for a while, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove the excess moisture. πŸ₯’
  8. Layer the Casserole:
    • Layer half of the zucchini slices at the bottom of the greased casserole dish. 🍲
    • Spread half of the beef mixture over the zucchini. 🍲
    • Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini and beef mixture. 🍲
  9. Top with Cheese:
    • Top the casserole with shredded Mozzarella cheese. πŸ§€
  10. Bake the Casserole:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. ⏳
  11. Garnish and Serve:
    • Garnish with fresh basil before serving. 🌿

Enjoy your Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole! πŸ˜‹

Prep Time: 20 min | Cooking Time: 30 min | Total Time: 50 min
Servings: 6 servings

This Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole is a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your meals while still enjoying a hearty and satisfying dish. The combination of ground beef, zucchini, and cheese creates a deliciously comforting meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Give it a try and let us know how you like it!

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Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole


  • Author: Dulcia
  • Total Time: 50 min
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs zucchini, sliced into rounds πŸ₯’
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil πŸ₯‘
1 large yellow onion, chopped πŸ§…
3 cloves garlic, minced πŸ§„
1 lb ground beef (90% lean) πŸ₯©
Salt & pepper, to taste πŸ§‚
1 tsp garlic powder 🌿
1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
Β½ cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese πŸ§€
14 oz can crushed tomatoes πŸ…
2 tbsp tomato paste πŸ…
Β½ cup broth or water πŸ’§
Β½ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese πŸ§€
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese πŸ§€
Fresh basil, for garnish 🌿


Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C). πŸ”₯

2️⃣ Slice the zucchini into rounds and place them in a colander in the sink. Sprinkle with salt to draw out excess water. Allow them to sit while you prepare the rest of the dish. πŸ₯’

3️⃣ Grease or spray a 9Γ—13-inch casserole dish and set aside. πŸ₯„

4️⃣ In a large skillet or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil over medium heat. 🍳

5️⃣ SautΓ© the chopped onion until soft and beginning to brown, about 5-10 minutes. πŸ§…

6️⃣ Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. πŸ§„

7️⃣ Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. πŸ₯©

8️⃣ Once the beef is cooked through, add the crushed tomatoes, cottage cheese (or ricotta), Β½ cup of parmesan cheese, tomato paste, and broth or water. Stir until well combined. πŸ…πŸ§€

9️⃣ After allowing the zucchini to sit for a while, pat them dry with a paper towel to remove the excess moisture. πŸ₯’

πŸ”Ÿ Layer half of the zucchini slices at the bottom of the greased casserole dish. 🍲

1️⃣1️⃣ Spread half of the beef mixture over the zucchini. 🍲

1️⃣2️⃣ Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini and beef mixture. 🍲

1️⃣3️⃣ Top the casserole with shredded Mozzarella cheese. πŸ§€

1️⃣4️⃣ Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. ⏳

1️⃣5️⃣ Garnish with fresh basil before serving. 🌿

Enjoy your Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole! πŸ˜‹

  • Prep Time: 20 min
  • Cook Time: 30 min
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