Description
Zucchini Pizza Casserole offers a delicious low-carb alternative to traditional pizza, featuring a savory zucchini crust layered with flavorful ground beef, vibrant vegetables, tangy pizza sauce, and a melty mozzarella-cheddar cheese topping. Perfect for a family dinner, this comforting casserole combines the best pizza flavors in a healthy, easy-to-make baked dish.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 4 cups shredded zucchini
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (from 2 cups total)
For the 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
For the Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the crust and casserole.
- Prepare the zucchini: In a large bowl, toss the shredded zucchini with 1/2 teaspoon salt and let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Drain zucchini: Use a clean towel to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the zucchini to prevent a soggy crust.
- Make the crust mixture: Combine the drained zucchini with the eggs, grated Parmesan, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, mixing thoroughly.
- Form and bake crust: Press the zucchini mixture evenly into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes until the crust is set and lightly browned.
- Cook the filling: While the crust bakes, sauté ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until browned, about 6–8 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add sauce and veggies: Stir in pizza sauce, chopped green bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, dried oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Assemble casserole: Spread the meat and vegetable mixture evenly over the baked zucchini crust.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the filling.
- Bake casserole: Return to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5–10 minutes before slicing to help it set properly and make serving easier.
Notes
- Squeeze zucchini very thoroughly to avoid a soggy crust.
- Ground turkey can be substituted for beef to reduce fat content.
- Add pepperoni, olives, or sausage for a “supreme” pizza casserole version.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
