Description
Hearty ground beef and zucchini casserole brings comfort to dinner tables with its savory layers of meat, vegetables, and melted cheese. Satisfying flavors blend seamlessly, creating a wholesome meal that nourishes and delights you from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef (90% lean)
- ½ cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 2 lbs zucchini, sliced into rounds
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 14 ounces (396 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup broth or water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F, preparing a welcoming environment for your culinary creation.
- Slice zucchini into delicate rounds and sprinkle with salt in a colander, allowing moisture to release naturally.
- Coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with cooking spray, creating a non-stick canvas for the layered masterpiece.
- In a robust skillet, warm avocado oil over medium heat, preparing a flavorful foundation.
- Introduce chopped onions to the pan, coaxing them to a soft, golden complexion through gentle sautéing.
- Incorporate minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for a brief moment.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, browning thoroughly while infusing with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Merge the cooked beef with crushed tomatoes, cottage cheese, parmesan, tomato paste, and broth, creating a harmonious sauce.
- Tenderly pat zucchini slices dry, removing excess moisture with paper towels.
- Construct the first layer by arranging zucchini rounds across the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Cascade half of the robust beef mixture over the zucchini foundation.
- Replicate the layering process, spreading remaining zucchini and beef mixture to create a delectable stratification.
- Crown the casserole with a generous blanket of shredded Mozzarella cheese.
- Transfer to the preheated oven, allowing 25-30 minutes for the cheese to transform into a molten, bubbling landscape.
- Punctuate the dish with freshly torn basil leaves just before serving, adding a final flourish of herbaceous brightness.
Notes
- Salting zucchini helps remove excess water, preventing a watery casserole and ensuring a perfect texture.
- Sautéing onions and garlic before adding ground beef develops deeper, richer flavor profiles in the dish.
- Pat zucchini slices completely dry to avoid soggy layers and maintain a robust, hearty consistency.
- Use full-fat cottage cheese or ricotta for creamier, more indulgent results that bind ingredients together.
- Layer ingredients carefully to distribute flavors evenly and create a visually appealing casserole.
- Fresh basil added after baking provides a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 352
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg