Description
This cheesy and satisfying zucchini pizza casserole uses fresh zucchini instead of crust for classic pizza flavor. It makes a great family dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded zucchini well drained
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for base)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ½ cup sliced beef pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
- Place the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze firmly to remove as much moisture as possible.
- In a large bowl, mix the zucchini, eggs, Parmesan, mozzarella, salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until evenly combined.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes until the zucchini base is set and lightly golden.
- While the base bakes, cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir the marinara sauce into the cooked beef and heat for 3 minutes.
- Spread the meat sauce evenly over the baked zucchini base.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the sauce and top with beef pepperoni.
- Bake another 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Ground beef must reach an internal temperature of 160°F before serving.
Notes
- Removing as much moisture as possible from the zucchini prevents a watery casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American