Zucchini Hotdish
Warm, hearty, and bursting with homestyle flavor, this Zucchini Hotdish is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Featuring layers of tender zucchini, savory ground beef, and fluffy rice baked to perfection in a rich tomato and herb sauce, this casserole-style recipe is topped with creamy, melted cheddar cheese for an irresistibly golden finish. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and ingredients like fresh zucchini and pantry staples such as canned tomatoes and rice, this dish is both budget-friendly and satisfying. Ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this one-pan dinner delivers a balanced meal packed with protein, veggies, and cheesy goodness. Serve this easy zucchini casserole warm and watch it become a family favorite! Keywords: zucchini hotdish recipe, zucchini casserole, ground beef dinner, easy one-pan meal, hearty comfort food.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Wash and slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Drain any excess grease.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes.
While the beef mixture simmers, spread the uncooked rice evenly in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
Pour the water over the rice, then layer half of the sliced zucchini evenly on top.
Spoon half of the beef mixture over the zucchini and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Repeat the layers with the remaining zucchini, beef mixture, and cheddar cheese.
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to allow the cheese to brown slightly.
Take the dish out of the oven and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy your delicious zucchini hotdish with family or friends!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
578 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.7 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.4 g | 77% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 93 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 913 mg | 40% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.1 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.4 g | ||
| Protein | 27.7 g | 55% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 359 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 833 mg | 18% | |
*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.
