How to make Ground Beef Zucchini Bake

Описание: Perfectly browned Ground Beef, seasoned Zucchini and Onion, melted Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese in a Red Sauce and baked until Golden Brown and Delicious.


Ingredients:

2-3 tablespoons Olive Oil in total to brown the beef and saute the vegetables
1 pound 85/15 ground beef
1½ pounds Zucchini, cut into rounds
1 medium yellow onion , diced
8 oz fresh mushrooms, diced (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian dried seasoning
Salt & Pepper to taste (I use about ½ teaspoon for both)
1½ cups Marinara Sauce (I used a 14 oz jar of Prego Pizza Sauce)
1½ cup shredded Mozzarella Cheese
¼ cup (or to taste) grated Parmesan Cheese


Cooking Instructions:

Preheated the oven to 400 F. You will also need a 9x12/9x13 baking dish.

In a medium skillet, brown the ground beef and set aside (see separate video below).

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add enough olive oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, add the mushrooms if using and continue to sauté for another 3-4 minutes. Reduce heat source to medium, add the zucchini, sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, dried Italian seasoning, paprika an salt & pepper stir to coat and continue to sauté for an additional 4-5 minutes (see additional comments for alternative direction for the zucchini).

Add the zucchini to the bottom of the baking pan, spread to cover the bottom, evenly distribute the ground beef over the top, sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella over the ground beef, evenly coat the top with the red sauce and mix to combine. Evenly top with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly and top a slightly browned.

While not completely necessary I allow it to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.


Additional Comments:

Because we prefer the zucchini a little more tender, I sauté it for 5 minutes or so before adding it to the baking dish. I also do this to evaporate some of the water from the zucchini. The zucchini can be added without any precooking. To help remove some of the water lay the cut rounds in a single layer and lightly sprinkle with salt (let sit for 5 minutes at least, then pat dry with a paper towel).