Description
Discover how to make a delicious Zucchini Hamburger Casserole with this easy recipe. Perfect for a hearty and satisfying family meal. Click to learn more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) dry quinoa, cooked according to package instructions
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil, divided
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup (240 ml) yellow cooking onion, diced
- 6 zucchinis, approx 2 lbs (900 g), sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups (480 ml) low sugar tomato sauce (marinara sauce)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Italian seasoning
- 1 cup (240 ml) cottage cheese (ricotta cheese will also work)
- 2 cups (480 ml) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) alternative cheese
- Fresh basil for topping
Instructions
- Set your oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with oil.
- Prepare the quinoa following the directions on its package.
- As the quinoa cooks, heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, minced garlic, and diced onions. Cook until the beef loses its pink hue and the onions become translucent and aromatic. Season with salt and pepper, then remove any excess oil. Transfer the meat mixture to the baking dish and set aside.
- Using the same skillet, pour in the remaining olive oil. When it’s hot, add the zucchini slices and sprinkle with more salt and pepper. Cover and cook for around 5 minutes until the zucchini softens.
- Combine the cooked zucchini, spices, cottage cheese, prepared quinoa, tomato sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella with the meat in the baking dish. Use a spatula to mix everything together, then spread out evenly. Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and alternative cheese.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, switching to broil for the last 5 minutes to achieve a golden-brown cheese topping. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Try mixing various cheeses like parmesan or cheddar for a more flavorful twist.
- Season each layer generously with salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste.
- For a vegetarian option, swap the ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra veggies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Calories: 400
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 25g
Keywords: baked zucchini casserole, cheesy quinoa bake, ground beef casserole, Italian zucchini bake, mozzarella Parmesan casserole, savory zucchini bake