Description
This Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish featuring layers of tender zucchini slices, flavorful ground beef simmered in a savory tomato sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. It’s a perfect low-carb casserole that’s easy to prepare, making it great for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato Sauce Mixture
- 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
Cheeses
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 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, and brown it for 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Layer half of the zucchini slices evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Layer Beef and Zucchini: Spread half of the beef and tomato mixture over the zucchini layer. Repeat with the remaining zucchini slices and beef mixture, forming a second layer.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the layers.
- Bake Casserole: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Drain the diced tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the casserole.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra flavor.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to make it easier to slice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
