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Zucchini Sausage Casserole Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 63 reviews

This Zucchini Sausage Casserole is a hearty and flavorful one-dish meal featuring tender zucchini, savory ground chicken sausage, and a cheesy baked topping. It combines fresh vegetables with seasoned sausage meat, simmered in a tomato-based sauce, then baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for a quick nutritious dinner, this casserole pairs wonderfully with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 small Onion, deseeded and diced
  • 1 Bell Pepper (red or green), diced
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
  • 5 medium Zucchini, sliced into 1/4″ slices (600 g / 21 oz)
  • 1 can Diced Tomatoes, undrained

Meat

  • 1 pound Ground Chicken Sausage Meat (or ground Pork Sausage Meat)

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (divided)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce (or tamari sauce)
  • 1/4 cup Broth (low sodium beef broth or vegetable broth)

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a large baking dish by lightly oiling its surface with cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and crushed garlic cloves, cooking for a few minutes until fragrant and the onion turns translucent.
  3. Cook Sausage: Add the ground chicken sausage to the skillet. Season with salt, Italian seasoning, and ground pepper. Break the meat into crumbles using a wooden spatula, and cook until the sausage is no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
  4. Add Bell Pepper and Worcestershire Sauce: Stir in the diced bell pepper and Worcestershire sauce, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until the pepper slightly softens.
  5. Remove Sausage Mixture: Transfer the cooked sausage mixture to a bowl and set aside.
  6. Cook Zucchini: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss in the zucchini slices to coat. Cook for approximately 1 minute.
  7. Add Tomatoes and Broth: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
  8. Simmer Zucchini Mixture: Continue cooking uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until zucchini is tender and the liquid has reduced slightly.
  9. Combine Sausage and Zucchini Mixtures: Return the sausage mixture to the skillet and stir evenly to combine. Cook for an additional minute to warm through.
  10. Transfer and Top with Cheese: Move the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  11. Bake Casserole: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  12. Serve: Serve the casserole hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or basil. Enjoy it alongside brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for a rounded meal.
  13. Storage: Cool leftovers, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze in airtight containers for up to 1 month. Thaw refrigerated leftovers overnight before reheating.
  14. Reheating: Reheat leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl using the microwave or in a non-stick saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.

Notes

  • For a different protein option, ground pork sausage can be used instead of chicken sausage.
  • Using low sodium broth helps control the saltiness of the dish.
  • Feel free to add fresh herbs such as parsley or basil as a garnish for extra flavor and color.
  • This casserole pairs well with whole grains like brown rice or quinoa for a balanced meal.
  • Leftovers can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
  • To keep the zucchini slices uniform, slice them about 1/4 inch thick.

Keywords: zucchini casserole, sausage casserole, baked casserole, ground chicken sausage recipe, healthy casserole, easy dinner

Find it online: https://foodarohub.com/zucchini-sausage-casserole-recipe/