Description
Hearty Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole brings comfort and flavor to dinner tables with its rich, layered ingredients. Cheese-topped and packed with savory goodness, you’ll savor each satisfying bite of this classic home-style meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Vegetable and Aromatic Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, drained
- Fresh parsley or basil
- Red pepper flakes
Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup sour cream
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray, warming the oven to 375°F (190°C) to create the perfect environment for baking.
- In a generously sized skillet, drizzle olive oil and bring to a gentle sizzle over medium heat, creating a welcoming surface for the ground beef.
- Introduce the ground beef into the skillet, allowing it to dance and crumble while browning thoroughly, releasing its rich flavors and developing a deep, caramelized exterior.
- Fold in finely chopped onions and minced garlic, letting their aromatic essence permeate the meat, softening and releasing their delicate fragrance throughout the cooking process.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet, ensuring a clean and lean protein base for the casserole.
- Incorporate sliced zucchini into the meat mixture, gently stirring to distribute the vegetables evenly and create a harmonious blend of textures.
- Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese in a separate bowl, whisking until smooth and creamy, creating a luxurious binding sauce for the casserole.
- Layer the meat and zucchini mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform foundation.
- Pour the creamy cheese mixture over the top, using a spatula to ensure complete coverage and integration with the meat and vegetables.
- Sprinkle additional shredded cheese across the surface, creating a golden, bubbling crown that will crisp and brown during baking.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the edges become delightfully crisp, typically 25-30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 510 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to set before serving.
Notes
- Drain excess fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy casserole and ensure a lighter, healthier dish.
- For a low-carb version, replace bread crumbs with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for added crunch and reduced carbohydrates.
- Consider using lean ground beef (90/10) to minimize fat content while maintaining rich, meaty flavor.
- Grate zucchini and squeeze out extra moisture with a clean kitchen towel to prevent watery texture and maintain casserole’s structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg