Description
This Zucchini Pizza Casserole offers a comforting, cheesy, and low-carb twist on traditional pizza. It features a flavorful zucchini crust topped with a hearty meat sauce and melted cheese, making it a perfect family-friendly meal or potluck dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 can (15 ounces) Italian tomato sauce
- 1 medium green or red pepper, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the zucchini crust: Combine the well-drained zucchini with the eggs, Parmesan cheese, and half of both the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Form the base: Spread the zucchini mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and press down firmly. Bake for 20 minutes until the surface is set and lightly browned.
- Cook the meat sauce: While the base is baking, brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent. Drain excess grease.
- Add the sauce: Stir the Italian tomato sauce and chopped green pepper into the meat mixture. Simmer for 5–7 minutes.
- Assemble the casserole: Remove the zucchini crust from the oven. Evenly spread the meat mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- Final bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving. Let the casserole sit for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Drain the zucchini thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole.
- Pre-baking the zucchini crust is essential for a firm base.
- Using high-quality tomato sauce enhances the pizza flavor.
- Feel free to add herbs like oregano or basil for extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Low-Carb
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg