Zucchini Pizza Casserole Recipe
Zucchini Pizza Casserole turns 5 simple ingredients into a delicious meal that satisfies hunger and delights your taste buds instantly
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium zucchinis, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) before you start prepping.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the cooked crumbled Italian sausage to the skillet (if using). Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and cook for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Arrange half the zucchini slices over the marinara base in a single layer. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the zucchini.
- Spoon half of the sausage mixture evenly over the cheese layer. Drizzle some marinara to keep it moist but don’t drown it.
- Add the remaining zucchini slices to cover the sausage, then layer on the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Finish with a final spread of marinara sauce on top, sprinkling a little extra oregano or basil if desired.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, then bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set and cool slightly. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for color and brightness.
Notes
Zucchini Pizza Casserole is a comforting yet lighter alternative to traditional pizza, blending fresh zucchini with melty mozzarella, tangy marinara, and Italian spices. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe sneaks in veggies without complaint and offers a satisfying layering of flavors and textures.