Description
Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole is a hearty, family-friendly dish made with savory ground beef, tender zucchini, and a cheesy topping. Perfect for weeknights, it’s an easy, comforting way to enjoy seasonal zucchini.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- Optional: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in zucchini, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until zucchini begins to soften.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Add breadcrumbs or crushed crackers if desired.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use ground turkey, chicken, or sausage instead of beef for variety.
- Add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra vegetables.
- Mix cooked pasta into the beef mixture before baking for a heartier meal.
- Skip breadcrumbs for a low-carb option.
- For less watery results, salt zucchini and pat dry before cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
