Description
This Zucchini Pizza Casserole is a delightful and healthy twist on traditional pizza, featuring a crispy zucchini crust loaded with savory ground beef, vegetables, and melty cheeses. It’s a perfect game-changer for dinner night, combining the flavors of pizza with the nutrition of vegetables in a hearty casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 4 cups shredded zucchini (salted and drained)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (half of the 2 cups)
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups pizza sauce
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (the remaining half)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Zucchini: Toss the shredded zucchini with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let it rest for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
- Drain Zucchini: Use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out and drain the excess liquid from the zucchini to prevent sogginess.
- Mix Crust Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the drained zucchini with 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (half of the total amount).
- Form Crust: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and press the zucchini mixture evenly into the bottom to form the crust.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for about 20 minutes until it turns lightly browned and firm.
- Cook Beef and Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 1 pound ground beef and 1/2 cup chopped onion together until browned and fully cooked, about 7-10 minutes.
- Combine Filling: Stir 2 cups pizza sauce, chopped green bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into the cooked beef mixture.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked zucchini crust in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the beef mixture.
- Bake Casserole: Return the assembled casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before slicing into servings. Serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Salting and draining the zucchini is essential to prevent excess moisture which can make the crust soggy.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Feel free to add extra herbs like basil or red pepper flakes to customize the flavor.
Keywords: Zucchini Pizza Casserole, low carb pizza, healthy pizza recipe, zucchini crust, baked casserole, ground beef casserole, easy dinner recipes