Italian Summer Casserole

Okay… This one took the most prep/steps/cooking time yet. Probably also why I’ve never attempted actual lasagna.

But… it was a winner. Always satisfying when after a few bites hubby exclaims he’d definitely eat it again.

Italian Summer Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

• 5 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup carrots, diced
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) spray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350^◦ F.
2. Lightly spray a 9″ x 13″ baking dish with EVOO.
3. In a skillet over medium heat on stovetop, cook 1 lb ground beef until evenly brown, breaking up as you cook.
4. Drain any excess fat.
5. Add chopped 1/2 cup onion, 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper, 1/4 cup diced carrots, 2 tsp minced garlic, and 1 – 15 oz can tomato sauce then stir until well incorporated.
6. Add 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp basil, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 mins, until veggies are tender.
8. In the bottom of baking dish, layer rounds from 2 1/2 zucchini.
9. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup cottage cheese and 1 beaten egg.
10. Spread cottage cheese mixture over the zucchini layer in baking dish.
11. Scoop 1/2 of the beef mixture over the cottage cheese mixture layer.
12. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the 3/4 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese.
13. Layer with remaining rounds from 2 1/2 zucchini, remaining 1/2 of beef mixture, and remaining 1/2 of 3/4 cups of Mozzarella.
14. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
15. Bake 45 mins.
16. Allow to sit 10 mins before slicing to serve.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories	209
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g	9%
Saturated Fat 3.2g	16%
Cholesterol 80mg	27%
Sodium 534mg	23%
Total Carbohydrate 10.3g	4%
Dietary Fiber 2.5g	9%
Total Sugars 5.4g
Protein 27.2g
Vitamin D 2mcg	10%
Calcium 119mg	9%
Iron 12mg	66%
Potassium 800mg	17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

#Keto #LowCarb