Mama's Spicy Zucchini Casserole

Get ready for a bold, comforting dish with "Mama's Spicy Zucchini Casserole"! This wholesome casserole combines tender zucchini ribbons with layers of savory spiced ground turkey or beef, rich marinara sauce, and a luxurious blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Spiced with smoked paprika, cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes, this dish delivers just the right amount of heat to tantalize your taste buds. A crispy panko breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch, while fresh parsley gives the perfect finishing touch. Ready in just an hour, this gluten-free-friendly recipe is a great way to elevate weeknight dinners or impress at your next potluck. Perfectly hearty yet veggie-packed, this zucchini casserole is comfort food done right!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 large, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Step 2

Slice the zucchinis lengthwise into thin ribbons using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Lay them flat on a paper towel, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with another paper towel.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground turkey or beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off excess fat, if needed.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Stir the marinara sauce into the meat mixture and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Layer half of the zucchini ribbons on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spread half of the meat sauce over the zucchini, followed by half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Step 8

Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini ribbons, meat sauce, and cheeses.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and half of the chopped parsley. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with the remaining parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2102.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2168.3

Total Fat 116.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.2g
Cholesterol 483.2mg	0%
Sodium 12385.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 118.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.7g	0%
Total Sugars 72.6g
Protein 162.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1568.2mg	0%
Iron 12.9mg	0%
Potassium 3267.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.3%

Protein: 29.9%

Carbs: 21.8%