Zucchini Pizza Casserole Recipe
This Zucchini Pizza Casserole is a delicious low-carb twist on traditional pizza, featuring a crust made from shredded zucchini, topped with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, vegetables, and melted cheese. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that combines nutritious vegetables with classic pizza flavors in a hearty, baked dish.
- Author: lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Crust
- 4 cups shredded zucchini
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (half of the 2 cups used in the recipe)
Beef Topping
- 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
Topping Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (remaining half)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the crust and casserole.
- Prepare Zucchini: In a large bowl, combine shredded zucchini and salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Drain Zucchini: After resting, use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini, crucial for a firm crust.
- Mix Crust Ingredients: Return the drained zucchini to the bowl and add eggs, Parmesan cheese, and half the mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly to form the zucchini crust mixture.
- Form Crust: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish, then evenly press the zucchini mixture into the bottom; this will be the base of your casserole.
- Bake Crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until set and lightly golden.
- Cook Beef Mixture: While the crust bakes, brown ground beef with chopped onion in a skillet over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain excess fat.
- Add Vegetables and Seasonings: Stir in pizza sauce, bell pepper, mushrooms, oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper into the beef. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the baked zucchini crust in the dish.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and all the cheddar cheese evenly on top of the beef layer.
- Bake Casserole: Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy your healthy zucchini pizza casserole.
Notes
- Be sure to squeeze the zucchini well to avoid a soggy crust.
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or vegetarian mince for dietary preferences.
- Add extra seasonings like red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- This casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the pizza sauce you use is gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: zucchini pizza casserole, low carb pizza, healthy pizza casserole, zucchini crust, ground beef casserole, baked casserole recipe