Easy Cheesy Zucchini Casserole with Ground Beef

Searching for a straightforward, family-friendly recipe that may make everybody on the dinner desk ask for seconds? Search no additional; our simple, tacky zucchini casserole with floor beef is a hearty meal that everybody will love.

Tacky Beef & Zucchini Macaroni Bake

You probably have a backyard, there’s probability you’ve obtained a lot of zucchini in your palms and also you’re in search of some nice recipes to make use of it.

Properly, you’re in luck!

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This meaty zucchini casserole recipe contains floor beef, contemporary zucchini, and macaroni layered with melty cheese that provides a comforting, creamy goodness. 

It’s the right approach to sneak in these veggies into your loved ones’s weight loss program, and the perfect half? It’s a success with the youngsters too!

Getting ready this scrumptious casserole is a breeze, and it’s a great selection for a busy weeknight dinner, or Sunday suppper. 

Not solely does this nice recipe come collectively rapidly, nevertheless it additionally supplies a beneficiant serving measurement, guaranteeing you’ve got leftovers for these lazy nights. 

So, tie in your apron, seize your substances, and let’s get cooking this pleasant casserole.

Floor Beef and Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Substances:

• 2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked to al dente
• 1 pound lean floor beef
• 1 cup zucchini, peeled and diced 
• ½ cup onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Or substitute 2 teaspoons of Italian Seasoning for the oregano and basil
• 1/2 teaspoon crimson pepper flakes (modify to style)
• Salt and black pepper to style
• 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce 
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• Contemporary basil leaves, for garnish (elective)

Straightforward Zucchini Floor Beef Casserole

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Add the bottom beef to a big skillet and cook dinner on medium warmth till browned, breaking it up with a spatula because it cooks. 

Add the chopped onion and sauté till translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and sauté for an extra 30 seconds till aromatic.

Stir within the diced zucchinis and cook dinner for 3-4 minutes till they begin to soften.

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, crimson pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Combine effectively to mix all of the flavors.

Pour within the marinara sauce and let the combination simmer for about 5 minutes, permitting the flavors to meld collectively.

Add the cooked macaroni to the skillet and gently combine every thing till the macaroni is evenly coated with the sauce and meat combination.

Progressively stir within the heavy cream to the macaroni combination. This can add a creamy and wealthy component to the dish.

In a separate bowl, mix the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.

Switch half of the macaroni combination to the greased baking dish. Sprinkle half of the cheese combination over it.

Layer the remaining macaroni combination on prime and end with the remainder of the cheese.

Cowl the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake within the preheated oven for Quarter-hour.

Take away the foil and proceed baking for an extra 10-Quarter-hour, or till the cheese is melted and bubbly and the highest is golden brown.

As soon as executed, take away the baking dish from the oven and let it cool barely earlier than serving.

Garnish with contemporary basil leaves earlier than serving for a burst of taste and shade.

And there you’ve got it, my favourite zucchini casserole recipe that makes a scrumptious dish to feed your entire household. The subsequent time your trying to find simple weeknight dinners, remember to give this one a attempt. 

This simple casserole recipe is an effective way to make use of up these additional zucchinis in the course of the summer time months and a very good selection for a nutricious, family-friendly meal. 

Zucchini Hamburger Casserole FAQs:

How ought to I retailer the leftovers? Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Can I exploit floor turkey or rooster as a substitute of beef? Completely! Floor turkey or rooster might be substituted for the bottom beef. Personally, I believe the bottom beef tastes greatest, however the others will work nice.

Can I exploit a unique pasta form? Sure, you need to use a unique pasta form in the event you desire. Penne, rigatoni, or rotini would work effectively.

What sort of cheddar cheese ought to I exploit? For this recipe, we advocate utilizing a pointy or extra-sharp cheddar cheese. The robust taste of the cheese will add a pleasant distinction to the opposite substances. 

Can I add yellow squash? Sure, you possibly can undoubtedly add yellow squash to this casserole. Simply ensure that it’s diced into small cubes earlier than including it to the skillet. You might also want to scale back the baking time barely as yellow squash cooks faster than zucchini. 

Can I exploit contemporary herbs? Sure, completely. Simply exchange the dried herbs with an equal quantity of finely chopped contemporary herbs (i.e. 1 teaspoon dried oregano = 1 tablespoon finely chopped contemporary oregano). We advocate utilizing a combo of contemporary basil and parsley for this recipe. 

Can I add ricotta? Sure, including ricotta is an effective way to make the casserole creamier. Simply stir 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese into the macaroni combination earlier than transferring it to the baking dish. You might also need to scale back the quantity of heavy cream barely as effectively.