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 🥒
• 1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil 🥑
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped 🧅
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 lb ground beef (90% lean) 🥩
• Salt & pepper, to taste 🧂
• 1 tsp garlic powder 🌿
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
• ½ cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese 🧀
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes 🍅
• 2 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
• ½ cup broth or water 💧
• ½ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese 🧀
• 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 🧀
• Fresh basil, for garnish 🌿

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 🔥
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. 🥒
3. Grease the Casserole Dish:
   • Grease or spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside. 🥄
4. Cook the Onion and Garlic:
   • In a large skillet or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil over medium heat. 🍳
   • Sauté the chopped onion until soft and beginning to brown, about 5-10 minutes. 🧅
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. 🧄
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. 🥩
6. Prepare the Sauce:
   • Once the beef is cooked through, add the crushed tomatoes, cottage cheese (or ricotta), ½ cup of parmesan cheese, tomato paste, and broth or water. Stir until well combined. 🍅🧀
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. 🥒
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. 🧀
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! 😋

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!

Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole

---

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 lbs zucchini, sliced into rounds 🥒
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil 🥑
1 large yellow onion, chopped 🧅
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 lb ground beef (90% lean) 🥩
Salt & pepper, to taste 🧂
1 tsp garlic powder 🌿
1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
½ cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese 🧀
14 oz can crushed tomatoes 🍅
2 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
½ cup broth or water 💧
½ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese 🧀
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese 🧀
Fresh basil, for garnish 🌿

---

Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 🔥

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. 🥒

3️⃣ Grease or spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish and set aside. 🥄

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

5️⃣ Sauté the chopped onion until soft and beginning to brown, about 5-10 minutes. 🧅

6️⃣ Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. 🧄

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

8️⃣ Once the beef is cooked through, add the crushed tomatoes, cottage cheese (or ricotta), ½ cup of parmesan cheese, tomato paste, and broth or water. Stir until well combined. 🍅🧀

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

🔟 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. 🧀

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! 😋

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