Description
Savor a delicious Highprotein Zucchini Casserole Recipe! Discover step-by-step instructions to create a nutritious, protein-packed dish perfect for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) dry quinoa cooked according to package instructions
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) olive oil divided
- 1 lb (454 g) lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup (240 ml) yellow cooking onion diced
- 6 zucchinis approx 2 lb (907 g) s, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 cup (480 ml) s low sugar tomato sauce (marinara sauce)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Italian seasoning
- 1 cup (240 ml) cottage cheese ricotta cheese will also work
- 2 cup (480 ml) s moz zarella cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for topping
Instructions
- Warm up the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with oil.
- Prepare the quinoa following the directions on the packaging.
- As the quinoa cooks, heat half of the olive oil (1 tablespoon) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, garlic, and diced yellow onions once the oil is hot, cooking until the beef loses its pink color and the onions become fragrant and transparent. Season with salt and pepper. Remove any extra oil and transfer the meat mixture to the baking dish. Set it aside.
- Using the same skillet without cleaning it, pour in the remaining olive oil (1 tablespoon). Once heated, add the zucchini slices and a bit more salt and pepper. Cover and cook for roughly 5 minutes, or until the zucchini becomes tender.
- To the baking dish with the beef mixture, add the softened zucchini, spices, cottage cheese, cooked quinoa, tomato sauce, and half of the shredded mozzarella. Mix everything together with a spatula and even out the mixture in the dish. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese on top.
- Place in the oven and cook for about 30 minutes, changing the oven setting to broil for the last 5 minutes to achieve a golden cheese topping. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Ensure quinoa is well-drained to prevent excess moisture affecting texturenBreak ground beef into small pieces for even cooking and integrationnSauté garlic and onions until golden for enhanced flavor before adding beef