Ground Beef Zucchini Bake
Ingredients:
- 1½ lbs zucchini, cut into rounds, salted and patted dry
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, diced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tsp Italian herb blend
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and mushrooms, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Season with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Cook until beef is browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
4. Stir in marinara sauce and Italian herb blend. Simmer for 3-5 minutes to combine flavors.
5. In a baking dish, layer half of the zucchini rounds evenly. Spread half of the beef mixture over the zucchini. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat the layers with remaining zucchini, beef mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
7. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the zucchini is tender.
9. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: 350 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Tips:
Salt zucchini and let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture and prevent sogginess.
Use fresh Italian herbs like basil and oregano for a more vibrant flavor blend.