A hearty, oven-baked fusion of smoky ground beef, tender zucchini, rich marinara, and melted mozzarella. This casseroles draws from Italian-American culinary traditions, reimagined with clean, pork-free protein and a moisture-balanced technique for rich texture and flavor depth.
A smoky, baked casserole blending seasoned ground beef, tender zucchini, and rich marinara with melty mozzarella, inspired by Italian-American traditions. Pork-free and packed with hearty flavors.
Author:Samantha Jones
Prep Time:15
Cook Time:20
Total Time:35
Yield:6 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound ground beef 1 medium zucchini (grated) 1 cup marinara sauce 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
In a bowl, squeeze grated zucchini with paper towels to remove excess moisture
In a skillet, cook ground beef with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until browned
Add zucchini to the beef mixture and simmer briefly
In a baking dish, spread marinara evenly, top with beef-zucchini mixture, then mozzarella cheese
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly
Notes
Place baking dish on a rimmed sheet to catch any moisture
For a crispier cheese layer, broil for 2-3 minutes after baking
Substitute dairy-free cheese for a vegan option
