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Old Fashioned Zucchini Casserole Recipe

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4.4 from 8 reviews

This Old Fashioned Zucchini Casserole is a comforting, hearty dish combining savory ground beef, tender sautéed zucchini and squash, pasta, and a creamy mixture of green chilis, sour cream, and cilantro, all baked to perfection with a melted cheese topping. It’s an easy, flavorful casserole perfect for weeknight dinners that the whole family will enjoy.

  • Total Time: 33 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 2-3 zucchini (green and yellow squash)
  • 3 tablespoons chopped onions

Pasta and Dairy

  • 2 cups small shell pasta (or similar)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheese

Seasonings and Others

  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
  • 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilis
  • 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to get it ready for baking the casserole later.
  2. Cook Ground Beef and Onions: In a medium skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground beef and chopped onions until the beef is fully browned. Drain any excess grease and set the meat mixture aside.
  3. Cook Pasta: Boil the small shell pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Prepare Zucchini and Squash: Slice the zucchini and yellow squash into 1/4-inch thick slices. Lightly salt the slices and place them in a bowl to sit for 15-20 minutes. Then pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  5. Sauté Zucchini and Squash: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, sauté the zucchini and squash slices for about 5 minutes until slightly tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
  6. Mix Sour Cream Mixture: In a bowl, combine the chopped green chilis, sour cream, and chopped cilantro, mixing until smooth.
  7. Combine Ingredients: In a large casserole dish, add the cooked ground beef and onions, cooked pasta, sautéed zucchini and squash, black pepper to taste, and the sour cream mixture. Gently stir everything together until well combined.
  8. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the combined mixture in the casserole dish.
  9. Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

  • Slicing and salting the zucchini and squash before cooking helps draw out moisture, preventing a soggy casserole.
  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Feel free to use any small pasta shape you prefer, like elbow macaroni or penne.
  • For extra flavor, sprinkle some paprika or crushed red pepper flakes in the sour cream mixture.
  • This casserole is great for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/old-fashioned-zucchini-casserole-recipe/