Description

This Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole is a hearty and healthy dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Combining tender zucchini, savory ground beef, and melty cheese, it’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb (450 g) ground beef
3 medium zucchinis
sliced into rounds
1 small onion
finely chopped
2–3 cloves garlic
minced
1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or oregano
Salt and pepper
to taste
Fresh basil leaves
for garnish (optional)
Red pepper flakes (optional
for a little heat)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Stir in the marinara or tomato sauce, then remove from heat.
In a greased baking dish, layer half of the sliced zucchini, then half of the meat mixture. Spread half of the ricotta cheese (if using), followed by half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Feel free to customize this casserole with your favorite vegetables or additional spices for extra flavor. The ricotta cheese adds a nice creaminess, but it’s optional.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 casserole
Calories: 335 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 580 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 29 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole, zucchini casserole, ground beef recipe, easy dinner, healthy casserole