Description

This Zucchini Pizza Casserole is a delicious and healthy twist on traditional pizza. Featuring layers of tender sliced zucchini, seasoned ground turkey or beef, sautéed vegetables, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, this casserole is baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a family-friendly meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

4 medium zucchinis, sliced
1 lb ground turkey or beef
2 cups marinara sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Vegetables

1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey or beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and stir in the Italian seasoning to infuse the meat with flavor.
Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the cooked meat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables have softened, enhancing the mixture’s taste and texture.
Layer Ingredients: Place half of the sliced zucchini in the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the meat and vegetable mixture evenly over the zucchini, then pour half of the marinara sauce on top. Repeat the layering with the remaining zucchini, meat mixture, and marinara sauce.
Add Cheese and Cover: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer and cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in during baking.
Bake: Bake the casserole for 25 minutes. Afterward, carefully remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly.

Notes

You can use either ground turkey or ground beef based on your preference.
If you prefer a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to set before serving.
For added flavor, sprinkle some fresh basil or parsley on top before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: zucchini casserole, pizza casserole, ground turkey casserole, baked casserole, Italian casserole, mozzarella cheese recipe