Cheesy Ground Beef & Zucchini Casserole

Cheesy Ground Beef & Zucchini Casserole

A comforting, easy-to-make casserole featuring seasoned ground beef, tender zucchini, and plenty of melted cheese. Perfect for a family dinner!

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 3 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup (240 ml) tomato sauce
• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook the beef:
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add the garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks.
3. Season:
   Drain excess grease if necessary. Add salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well.
4. Add the tomato sauce:
   Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for about 3–5 minutes.
5. Prepare the zucchini:
   Slice the zucchini into thin, even rounds. If the zucchini is very watery, pat the slices dry with paper towels.
6. Layer the casserole:
   Arrange half of the zucchini slices in the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the beef mixture over the zucchini, then sprinkle with some mozzarella and cheddar. Repeat with the remaining zucchini and beef.
7. Add the cheese:
   Cover the top generously with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
8. Bake:
   Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and beautifully golden brown.
9. Rest and serve:
   Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

⏱️ Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour
• Servings: 6
• Calories: Approximately 400–450 per serving, depending on the cheese and beef used.

💡 Tips

• Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the best flavor.
• Don’t overcook the zucchini before baking, or it may become too soft.
• For extra flavor, add mushrooms, bell peppers, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.