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Cheesy zucchini hamburger casserole with ground beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheese in a baking dish

Easy Zucchini Hamburger Casserole

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This easy zucchini hamburger casserole combines seasoned halal ground beef, tender zucchini, rich tomato sauce, and plenty of melted cheese for a comforting family dinner that's simple to make and naturally lower in carbs.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb halal-certified lean ground beef
  • 3 medium zucchini, about 6–7 cups sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for salting the zucchini
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Place the sliced zucchini in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then pat the slices very dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles, until fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
  4. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
  6. Spread a thin layer of beef sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Add a layer of zucchini slices, then more beef sauce. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce.
  7. Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and all of the cheddar or Parmesan over the top.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  9. Remove the foil, add the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella, and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
  10. Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or basil.

Notes

Salting and drying the zucchini before baking helps prevent a watery casserole. For a creamier version, stir 1/2 cup sour cream or 4 oz softened cream cheese into the meat sauce. Halal-certified ground turkey or chicken can replace the beef.

  • Author: emily carter
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Additional Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Chicken Casseroles
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://casseroledaily.com/zucchini-hamburger-casserole/