Comfort in a Dish Cheesy Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a super easy dinner? Are you looking for Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole recipes? Honestly, this one is a game changer. This recipe is cheesy, beefy, and surprisingly good for you.

Brief Overview

This Beef Zucchini Casserole is total American comfort food. It's the kind of dish your grandma would make. This is an Easy Casserole Recipes , it is simple to make and takes about an hour.

This recipe feeds six hungry people.

Main Benefits

This recipe has a healthy dose of veggies! Zucchini is packed with vitamins. This Ground Beef Casserole Recipe is perfect for a family dinner.

It is also a crowd-pleaser. It is delicious and satisfying Comfort Food Casserole .

Comfort in a Dish Cheesy Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:40 Mins

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
• 1 pound ground beef (450g)
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup) (150g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (24 ounce) jar of your favorite tomato sauce (680g)
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced (about 4 cups) (500g)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (115g)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (55g)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (30g)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
• Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in the tomato sauce and bring to a simmer.
• Add sliced zucchini to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
• Pour the beef and zucchini mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and lightly golden brown.
• Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help it set up a bit.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:350

Fat:20g

Fiber:3g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

The Magic of Beef & Zucchini

Let's talk ingredients! This Cheesy Ground Beef Zucchini Bake starts with humble ingredients. Browned ground beef, soft zucchini, and loads of cheese.

The Key Ingredients

You need ground beef, of course! I love using lean ground beef. It keeps things a bit healthier. Zucchini is the star of the show.

Don't skimp on the Shredded Mozzarella ! And Italian Seasoning to elevate the flavor.

Why This Recipe Rocks

My mom used to make a similar casserole growing up. Honestly? I wasn't always a fan. But this version? Oh my gosh, it's totally different! It is now one of the Family Dinner Ideas .

The cheese combination makes all the difference. Trust me on this. It is a simple Beef Casserole with a touch of elegance.

Time to Get Cooking!

This Beef Zucchini Casserole recipe is a winner. It's simple, tasty, and satisfying. Get ready for a delicious, easy dinner. You are going to love this Zucchini Casserole .

Ingredients & Equipment: The Foundation of Your Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole Masterpiece

Alright, love. Let's talk shopping. No stress, just a good, honest chat about what you'll need to whip up this amazing Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole .

Think of it like gathering your paints before creating a beautiful picture. This Beef Zucchini Casserole is going to be a stunner!

Main Ingredients: Quality Counts, My Dear

For the Beef Casserole , you'll need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (that's 15ml )
• 1 pound of ground beef ( 450g ). Go for grass-fed if you can .
• 1 medium onion, chopped ( 150g )
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning that's where all the goodness lies
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Freshly ground is best, you know?
• 1 (24 ounce) jar of your favorite tomato sauce ( 680g )
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced ( 500g ). Make sure they're firm

And for that glorious cheesy topping:

• 1 cup shredded Shredded Mozzarella ( 115g )
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese ( 55g )
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ( 30g )

Honestly, the quality of your ground beef makes a HUGE difference. A good quality ground beef makes this Easy Casserole Recipes a true delight! Aim for lean ground beef to avoid excessive grease in the casserole.

You want flavour, not a swimming pool.

Seasoning Notes: Italian Seasoning is Your Best Friend

This Ground Beef Casserole Recipe shines with its simplicity. The key is Italian Seasoning . It's a blend of herbs that does all the heavy lifting.

If you're feeling adventurous, a tiny pinch of red pepper flakes adds a lovely warmth. A splash of Worcestershire sauce into the beef mixture? Chef's kiss! Honestly this Cheesy Ground Beef Zucchini Bake is so tasty!

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

Don't go rhelping a professional kitchen. Here's what you ACTUALLY need:

• Large skillet or pot
• 9x13 inch baking dish (23x33cm)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board and knife

No fancy gadgets required. If you don't have a 9x13 dish, a slightly smaller one will work too. Just might need to bake it a tad longer.

This Comfort Food Casserole is meant to be easy, remember? Get ready to make this Family Dinner Ideas a success! I promise, the Beef Zucchini Casserole will become a family favourite!

Alright, let's dive into this Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole recipe! It's pure comfort food casserole gold. Seriously, this is one of those easy casserole recipes that even I can't mess up (and that's saying something!).

Cooking Method: Bake It 'Til You Make It!

Honestly, baking is the magic here. We're taking humble ingredients and turning them into a bubbly, cheesy masterpiece. It's like the oven is a culinary fairy godmother.

Prep Steps: Get Your Ducks in a Row

• Essential Mise en Place : Chop your onion, mince your garlic, and slice your zucchini. Get that Shredded Mozzarella and cheddar ready to go, and measure out your spices. Basically, have everything within reach.
• Time-Saving Tip : Buy pre-shredded cheese. Seriously, life's too short to shred cheese.
• Safety Reminder : Don't be a klutz! Use a stable cutting board. Also, watch out for steam when the casserole comes out.

Step-by-Step Process: Easy Peasy

1. Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) . This is super important!
2. Brown 1 pound ground beef in a skillet. Drain the grease! Nobody likes a greasy casserole.
3. Sauté 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic until soft. About 5 minutes.
4. Stir in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning , 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and one 24 ounce jar tomato sauce. Simmer gently.
5. Add 2 sliced zucchini. Cook until slightly softened. Five minutes should do.
6. Pour the beef mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
7. Top with 1 cup shredded mozzarella , 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan.
8. Bake for 25- 30 minutes , or until golden and bubbly.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Casserole

• Don't Overcrowd : Brown the beef in batches. Trust me on this one.
• Avoid Blandness : Season generously with salt and pepper. It's better to be a bit bold.
• Make-Ahead : You can assemble the casserole a day ahead and bake it the next day. It's a total lifesaver for busy weeknights. This Beef Zucchini Casserole is a gift that keeps on giving. It's the ultimate family dinner ideas that's not just easy, but delicious!

Honestly, this Cheesy Ground Beef Zucchini Bake is a winner. It's a simple Beef Casserole but tastes so much better than the effort you put in.

Give it a try; you won't regret it!

Recipe Notes for Your Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole

Okay, so you're ready to whip up this fantastic Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole ? Let's chat about a few things that'll make it even more amazing.

Honestly, this Beef Zucchini Casserole is pretty foolproof, but a few extra tips never hurt, right?

Serving Ideas: Plating Like a Pro

Presentation matters! For a simple yet elegant look, try plating a generous square of the Beef Casserole and topping it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt adds a cool, tangy contrast. As for sides, a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette is perfect.

Also, this Zucchini Casserole goes really well with garlic bread!

Ground Beef Casserole Recipe Storage Savvy

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Ground Beef Casserole Recipe keeps well. For refrigeration, store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To reheat, just pop it in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Freezing is also an option. Let the Cheesy Ground Beef Zucchini Bake cool completely, then wrap it tightly in freezer-safe wrap or store in a container.

It can last up to 2 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Mix It Up: Variations on a Theme

Wanna tweak this Easy Casserole Recipes ? No worries! For a low-carb version, try using cauliflower rice instead of some of the zucchini.

Or, give it a spicy kick by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Ground Beef Casserole . You could even throw in some different veggies like bell peppers if you want.

Nutrition Info: The Good Stuff

Okay, let's break down the nutritional basics of our Comfort Food Casserole . Each serving is about 350 calories, packing around 30 grams of protein.

This is great for muscle building, you know? Plus, it's got a decent amount of fiber to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

Think of this Family Dinner Ideas as a sneaky way to get more veggies into your diet! You know, good health is wealth!

So, there you have it! A few extra nuggets of wisdom to make your Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole experience even better. Now go get cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite!