Description
A hearty and flavorful Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole featuring layers of sautéed ground beef, fresh zucchini slices, and a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This baked casserole is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 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 ground beef and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Tomato Mixture: 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.
- Layer Zucchini: Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and place half of the zucchini slices evenly on the bottom.
- Add Beef Mixture: Spread half of the beef and tomato mixture over the zucchini. Then layer the remaining zucchini slices on top, followed by the rest of the beef mixture.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Be sure to drain excess fat from the ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole.
- If zucchinis are very watery, consider lightly salting them and letting them sit before layering to reduce moisture.
- You can substitute mozzarella with other cheeses like cheddar or Monterey Jack for variation.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the beef.
