Description
This Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole combines tender zucchini, seasoned ground beef, rich tomato sauce, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and melted mozzarella for a comforting, cheesy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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 (I like 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
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Wash and dry the zucchini, trim the ends, and slice into rounds. Pat away excess surface moisture if needed.
- Heat the avocado oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Season the beef with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth or water. Stir until combined and allow the mixture to cook briefly.
- In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese or ricotta with the Parmesan cheese.
- Arrange the sliced zucchini in a casserole dish. Spread the ground beef and tomato mixture evenly over the zucchini.
- Spoon the cottage cheese and Parmesan mixture over the casserole, distributing it evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
- Bake until the zucchini is tender, the casserole is heated through, and the mozzarella is melted and bubbly. Check the center for tenderness before removing from the oven.
- Allow the casserole to rest briefly before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- Use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese if you prefer a smoother, creamier texture.
- Drain excess grease from the ground beef to avoid an oily casserole.
- Pat the zucchini dry before assembling to help control excess moisture. Add fresh basil after baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole, ground beef casserole, zucchini casserole, cheesy beef casserole, easy zucchini dinner, ground beef recipes