Description
Hearty zucchini pizza casserole brings classic Italian flavors to a comforting midwestern dinner. Simple ingredients blend seamlessly for a crowd-pleasing meal you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium zucchini, grated
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 12 teaspoon garlic powder
- 14 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini base by draining excess moisture through a salt-sprinkled colander for 10 minutes, then thoroughly squeeze out liquid.
- Mix drained zucchini with eggs, mozzarella, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined.
- Preheat oven to 400F (200C) and grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Press the zucchini mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish, creating an even, compact layer.
- Bake the zucchini crust for 20 minutes until it turns golden brown and slightly crispy around the edges.
- Remove from oven and spread marinara sauce evenly across the surface of the crust.
- Distribute mozzarella cheese generously over the marinara sauce.
- Arrange pepperoni, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, and onions across the cheese layer for maximum flavor coverage.
- Sprinkle dried oregano over the toppings to enhance the pizza-like essence.
- Return to oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and toppings are heated through.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves just before serving to add a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Drain zucchini thoroughly to prevent a soggy crust by letting it sit with salt and then squeezing out maximum moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
- Customize toppings easily by swapping pepperoni with vegetarian alternatives like plant-based sausage, grilled tofu, or roasted vegetable medley for dietary preferences.
- Keep the casserole low-carb and gluten-free by ensuring all ingredients like marinara sauce and seasonings are certified gluten-free and using zucchini as a nutritious base replacement for traditional pizza dough.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating in the oven to maintain crispy texture and prevent sogginess from microwave warming.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg