Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole (Print)

Layers of beef, zucchini, tomatoes, and cheese create a satisfying, flavorful, family-friendly weeknight option.

# Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium zucchini, approximately 900 g, sliced into 1.2 cm rounds
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Meat

04 - 450 g lean ground beef

→ Pantry

05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
07 - 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for zucchini
08 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 - 800 g canned diced tomatoes, drained

→ Dairy

10 - 200 g shredded mozzarella cheese

# Steps:

01 - Slice zucchini into 1.2 cm rounds. Place in a colander, sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt, and toss to coat evenly.
02 - Let salted zucchini sit for 15 minutes to release excess water. Rinse thoroughly under cold water and pat very dry with paper towels.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion; sauté for approximately 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and ground beef. Cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned with no visible pink, about 5 minutes.
04 - Stir drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the cooked beef mixture. Remove skillet from heat.
05 - Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
06 - In a 20x20 cm baking dish, spread half of the beef mixture. Top with half of the zucchini slices, then layer half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers with remaining meat, zucchini, and cheese.
07 - Bake on the middle rack for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden-brown at the edges.
08 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

# Notes:

01 - Salting and draining the zucchini before assembling is essential to avoid a watery texture.
02 - A 20x20 cm baking pan is recommended for deeper layers, but a 23x33 cm pan can be used for a single-layer preparation; adjust baking time as needed.
03 - Prepare the beef mixture and slice the zucchini in advance for streamlined assembly.
04 - Letting the finished dish rest prior to slicing ensures cleaner portions.
05 - Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave.

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