Layered Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients

• 5 cups water (you might need more water)
• 3 medium zucchini, sliced
• 2/3 cup dry breadcrumbs, divided
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 1-2 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes (optional or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3-4 cups pasta sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese (or use creamed cottage cheese, can use more cheese)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten (or use 2 small eggs)
• 2 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided (or to taste)
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley (can use fresh chopped parsley)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• black pepper, to tast

Directions

1. 1

   Set oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Grease a 4-quart casserole dish (can be made in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish).

3. 3

   Bring about 5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan.

4. 4

   Add in the sliced zucchini; simmer for 3 minutes or until just crisp-tender; drain and cool slightly.

5. 5

   In a skillet cook the ground beef with onion, garlic and dried chili flakes (if using) basil and oregano until the beef is browned; drain fat.

6. 6

   Add in the pasta sauce; cook for about 10-15 minutes, season with salt and pepper; remove from heat.

7. 7

   In a bowl mix together the ricotta (or cottage cheese) with egg/s, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, dried parsley, salt and pepper; mix to combine.

8. 8

   Arrange ALL the zucchini slices in the bottom of the baking dish (the slices do not have to be in one layer) then sprinkle with about 1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs.

9. 9

   Spread HALF of the ricotta mixture over the breadcrumbs, then cover with HALF of the beef mixture, then sprinkle about 1 cup mozza cheese on top.

10. 10

    Repeat the layers with remaining 1/3 cup breadcrumbs, ricotta mixture, then meat mixture (reserve the remaining 1 cup, or to taste of mozza cheese for the top after baking).

11. 11

    Bake for about 40 minutes.

12. 12

    Sprinkle 1 cup mozza cheese (or to taste) on top and return to oven for another 5-8 minutes.