Description
A lighter pizza-inspired casserole made with tender zucchini, savory meat sauce, melted mozzarella, and classic pizza toppings for a comforting low-carb meal.
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound ground turkey or ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
- 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/4 cup chopped onions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the ground turkey or beef and cook until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.
- Arrange the sliced zucchini evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread the meat and sauce mixture over the zucchini layer.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Add the sliced pepperoni, chopped bell peppers, and onions.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Sauté zucchini briefly before assembling to reduce excess moisture.
- Mushrooms or olives can be added for extra pizza-style flavor.
- Ground chicken or Italian sausage can replace turkey or beef.
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add spinach or diced tomatoes.
- Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes.
- The cooked casserole can be frozen for up to 2 months and thawed before reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
