Description

This Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole is a hearty and wholesome dish featuring lean ground beef, tender zucchini, and protein-packed quinoa baked together with a medley of Italian herbs and cheeses. It blends savory tomato sauce, fresh vegetables, and creamy cheeses to create a comforting meal perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

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Quinoa

1 cup dry quinoa, cooked according to package instructions

Meat and Vegetables

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 lb lean ground beef
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup yellow cooking onion, diced
6 zucchinis (approx 2 lbs), sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Sauces and Seasoning

2 cups low sugar tomato sauce (marinara sauce)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

Cheeses

1 cup cottage cheese (ricotta cheese can also be used)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Garnish

Fresh basil for topping

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
Cook Quinoa: Cook 1 cup dry quinoa according to the package instructions, then set aside.
Sauté Ground Beef and Aromatics: In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add ground beef, minced garlic, and diced yellow onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are fragrant and translucent. Season with salt and black pepper. Drain excess fat and transfer the cooked meat mixture to the casserole dish.
Cook Zucchini: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add sliced zucchini, season with salt and pepper, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes until zucchini is softened.
Combine Ingredients: To the casserole dish with meat, add cooked zucchini, cooked quinoa, tomato sauce, dried oregano, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and cottage cheese. Add half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Stir everything together gently using a spatula to combine well and spread the mixture evenly in the dish.
Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and the parmesan cheese evenly over the casserole.
Bake Casserole: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes. Then switch the oven to broil and broil the casserole for an additional 5 minutes to brown and bubble the cheese on top. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, top with fresh basil leaves, and serve warm.

Notes

Nutrition information provided is an estimation and should be used as a guideline rather than absolute values.
Ricotta cheese can substitute cottage cheese for a smoother texture.
Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or mushrooms and omit the meat.
Quinoa can be substituted with cooked brown rice or couscous if desired.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 6 g
Sodium: 420 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg