Description
This Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole is a hearty and comforting dish that combines tender ground beef, fresh zucchini, cooked quinoa, and a flavorful tomato sauce, all topped with melty mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a nutritious family meal, it features Italian herbs and gooey cheese baked to golden perfection in the oven.
Ingredients
Quinoa
- 3 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 cup dried quinoa (if not using leftovers)
Meat & Vegetables
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 medium zucchinis (1.5-2 lbs), chopped into bite-size pieces
Seasonings & Sauces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
- 1 (14.5 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole pan to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Cook Quinoa: If you do not have leftover quinoa, cook 1 cup of dried quinoa on the stovetop according to package instructions, then set aside.
- Brown Beef: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onions, and half a teaspoon of sea salt. Cook the meat, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cooked beef mixture into the casserole dish.
- Cook Zucchini: Using the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the chopped zucchini and the remaining half teaspoon sea salt. Cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the zucchini softens.
- Add Tomatoes & Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes into the zucchini. Mix well and allow it to simmer briefly to combine flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: Into the casserole dish with the browned beef, add the cooked quinoa, zucchini mixture, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, garlic powder, dried basil, black pepper, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Gently fold everything together until evenly combined and spread the mixture evenly across the dish.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole to create a cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. After baking, switch your oven to the high broil setting and broil for 2 to 5 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and browned.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set and makes it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Leftover quinoa from previous meals can be used to save cooking time.
- Adjust the seasoning to your preference, adding more herbs or spices if desired.
- For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic during the browning step.
- Cover the casserole with foil if the cheese browns too quickly during baking before broiling.
- This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
