Description
A delicious and hearty Zucchini Pizza Casserole combining shredded zucchini, ground beef, tomato sauce, and a blend of cheeses baked to perfection for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Base
- 4 cups unpeeled zucchini, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped white onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce or marinara
Instructions
- Prepare the Zucchini: Preheat oven to 400° F. Place shredded zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Let it stand for 10 minutes to draw out moisture, then squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Mix Zucchini Batter: In a large bowl, combine the drained zucchini with eggs, Parmesan cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Mix well.
- Bake the Zucchini Base: Press the zucchini mixture evenly into a greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until set.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: While the zucchini base is baking, heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook ground beef and chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Drain excess fat.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce or marinara and heat through briefly.
- Assemble and Bake: Spoon the meat sauce evenly over the partially baked zucchini layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top. Return to oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.
Notes
- Be sure to squeeze out as much moisture from the zucchini as possible to prevent a watery casserole.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use low-fat cheeses to reduce calories and fat content.
- Add Italian seasoning or dried herbs to the meat sauce for extra flavor.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to set properly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
