Description
Discover a delicious twist on a classic dish with our Zucchini Hamburger Casserole recipe. Learn how to make this flavorful and hearty meal today!
Ingredients
- Olive oil (to coat)
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (diced)
- 12 oz (340 g) tomato sauce (half a standard jar)
- 1 cup (240 ml) cottage cheese
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 medium zucchinis (sliced 3-4 mm thick)
- 1/2 tsp (3 ml) Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup (57 g) shredded alternative cheese (e.g., plant-based Parmesan)
Instructions
- Set your oven to 350 degrees to preheat.
- In a large non-stick or cast iron pan, pour enough olive oil to lightly cover the surface. Warm it over medium-high heat, then add the ground beef and diced onions, breaking the meat apart and spreading it evenly. Allow the beef to cook without stirring until the bottom is browned, which should take around 2-3 minutes. Turn the beef over, then keep cooking, stirring every so often, until the beef is completely browned and the onions are tender, roughly 5-6 more minutes. Remove any extra oil, and season with salt and pepper to your preference.
- Mix in the tomato sauce and cottage cheese, allowing them to heat through for about 3-4 minutes. Move the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
- Scatter the shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat mixture. Arrange the zucchini slices on top, seasoning them evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Add a final layer with the shredded alternative cheese.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese has started to brown.
Notes
- Consider enhancing the flavor by using a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage.
- Add diced bell peppers or mushrooms to the meat mixture to increase the vegetable content.
- Get pre-sliced zucchini from the store to save time during preparation.
