Description
Hearty zucchini ground beef casserole blends savory comfort with fresh garden vegetables in a delightful one-pan meal. Melted cheese and herb-infused layers promise a satisfying dinner that brings warmth and flavor to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 medium zucchinis (1.5–2 pounds), chopped into bite-size pieces
- 3 cups cooked quinoa (from 1 cup dried)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Topping:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish with a light coating of grease. If needed, cook quinoa in advance.
- In a skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sauté ground beef with onions, using half the salt, until the meat browns and crumbles, approximately 5 minutes. Transfer the meat mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
- Using the same skillet, add remaining oil and cook zucchini with the remaining salt, covering the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Incorporate tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes into the zucchini.
- Blend the cooked quinoa, zucchini mixture, seasonings, and one cup of mozzarella cheese into the casserole dish. Gently fold ingredients together to ensure even distribution and create a uniform mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese across the top of the casserole. Bake for 25 minutes, then activate the broiler to create a golden, crispy cheese topping for 2-5 minutes. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set and enhance flavor melding.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils or beyond meat for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content.
- Drain zucchini thoroughly before cooking to prevent excess moisture making the casserole watery and ensuring a perfect texture.
- Add extra herbs like fresh basil or oregano to boost flavor complexity and create a more aromatic dish that elevates the overall taste profile.
- Customize cheese options by using dairy-free cheese or mixing different cheese varieties like cheddar and parmesan for richer, more nuanced flavor combinations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg