Description
Zucchini Hamburger Casserole is a mouthwatering dish featuring layers of zucchini, ground beef, tangy pasta sauce, and a cheesy topping. Perfect for a quick, hearty dinner with minimal prep—rich in flavors and comfort!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 to 2½ pounds zucchini (about 3 to 4 medium)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion (finely diced)
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (24 ounce) jar pasta sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes (gently drained)
- garlic bread or pasta (for serving, optional)
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded italian cheese blend
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and then cut into ½-inch moons.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, salt, and pepper, and cook until slightly softened, about 3 to 6 minutes. Transfer to the greased baking dish.
- In the same skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium-high heat until the meat is browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pasta sauce, and diced tomatoes. Mix with the zucchini in the baking dish until well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk, then stir in the shredded cheese until coated.
- Evenly spread the cheese mixture over the casserole, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and the topping is lightly browned.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to thicken.
Notes
For added flavor, you can sprinkle some extra Italian seasoning on top before baking.
Use low-fat cheese or turkey ground beef for a healthier version of this casserole.
Letting the dish rest ensures the layers will hold together better when serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 90mg