Zucchini Pizza Casserole Recipe
This Zucchini Pizza Casserole is a delicious low-carb twist on traditional pizza, featuring a crispy zucchini crust topped with savory ground beef, vegetables, rich pizza sauce, and a blend of melted cheeses. It’s a comforting and satisfying baked dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
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 2 cups)
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
- 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 the shredded zucchini with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture from the zucchini.
- Drain Moisture: After 10 minutes, squeeze the zucchini thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to remove as much liquid as possible to ensure a firm crust.
- Make Crust Mixture: In the same bowl, mix the drained zucchini with 2 eggs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese (1 cup). Stir until well combined to form the crust batter.
- Form Crust: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and press the zucchini mixture evenly into the bottom to create a solid crust layer.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until it sets and turns slightly golden brown.
- Cook Beef Mixture: While the crust bakes, heat a skillet over medium heat and brown 1 pound ground beef with 1/2 cup chopped onion until beef is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain any fat.
- Add Vegetables and Seasoning: Stir in 2 cups pizza sauce, chopped green bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, dried oregano, garlic powder, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Assemble Casserole: When the crust is done, spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly over the crust in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all the cheddar cheese on top of the beef layer.
- Bake Casserole: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the zucchini to prevent a soggy crust.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if baking cold.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: zucchini pizza casserole, low carb pizza, zucchini crust pizza, ground beef casserole, easy baked casserole