Are you looking for a hearty yet light dish that's quick to prepare and the whole family will enjoy? Then this zucchini and ground beef casserole is just what you need! With fresh ingredients and a delicious tomato sauce, it brings variety to the table, combining juicy zucchini noodles with seasoned ground beef and a flavorful tomato sauce, topped off with melted mozzarella. This zucchini casserole recipe is not only delicious, but also healthy and low in carbohydrates—perfect for a light dinner or as a warming main course on cooler days.
Casseroles have a long tradition and are found in many cultures because they are so easy to prepare and yet incredibly versatile. This ground beef and zucchini casserole combines the lightness of zucchini with the rich flavor of ground beef and aromatic Italian herbs.
Preparation time: 45 minutes
Ingredients for 4 servings:
- 2 zucchini (approx. 500 g)
- 1 onion
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 tomato
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 300 g minced beef
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 400 g chopped tomatoes (from a can)
- 50 g water
- salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs
- 80 g mozzarella
Preparation:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit). Spiralize the zucchini into spaghetti shapes using a spiralizer, season with salt, and place in a baking dish. Finely chop the onion and garlic. Slice the tomato.
Step 2: Fry the minced meat
Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the ground beef until crumbly. Add the onions and garlic and fry briefly. Then stir in the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, and water. Simmer for about 5 minutes and season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. This is the perfect way to prepare the ground beef filling for zucchini.
Step 3: Assemble the casserole
Dab the salt off the zucchini noodles with a paper towel. Pour the meat sauce over the zucchini noodles in the casserole dish. Top with tomato slices and mozzarella. This is how you create a zucchini and meat casserole that will delight the whole table.
Step 4: Baking*
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and lightly browned. This will create a cheese-topped zucchini casserole.
Tips & Variations:
- Vegetarian version: Replace the ground beef with soy mince or a mix of different vegetables to create a stuffed zucchini without meat.
- Extra cheese: Add a layer of grated Parmesan cheese to give the casserole an extra layer of cheese and more flavor.
- Spices: Experiment with different herbs and spices like basil or oregano for additional flavors.
Serving suggestion:
Serve the zucchini and ground beef casserole straight from the casserole dish. A fresh side salad with a light lemon dressing complements the dish perfectly. Serve with a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice or a refreshing mint water. Serve the zucchini with the ground beef and garnish with fresh herbs.
Conclusion:
This zucchini and minced beef casserole is a delicious and light dish that's perfect for a cozy dinner. The combination of juicy zucchini, seasoned minced beef, and aromatic tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella, is a treat for the whole family. It's especially practical to use a sturdy casserole dish from Springlane, which is perfect for both preparation and serving.For searing the minced meat and roasting the ingredients, we recommend the high-quality cast iron pan from Springlane, which guarantees even heat distribution and optimal frying results.
Try this zucchini and minced meat casserole recipe and be amazed by the flavors and ease of preparation.
Have fun cooking and enjoying
