HEARTY ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Hearty Zucchini Casserole image

I have been making this Main Dish casserole for years. Found it in an old cookbook from years back. It is a hearty filling meal & uses up summer vegetables of zucchini & corn. My husband particularly likes it. I recently added variations, to the recipe, that might be enjoyed.

Provided by Sharon Colyer

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

cooking spray
3 medium zucchini, after cooked, half per layer
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
cooked beef and onion mixture, half per layer
1 1/2 c fresh corn, or 1 (15 oz.) canned corn, or 1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen corn, thawed
1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 Tbsp water (optional)
2 eggs, beaten
4 oz mild cheddar cheese, shredded, half per layer
1 tsp garlic powder, (optional) half per layer
salt
pepper
1 can(s) (10 oz.) tomato soup (do not dilute), half per layer
1 c bread crumbs
1 Tbsp melted butter
****VARIATIONS****
as many sliced tomatoes needed to place the slices around the edge of the casserole or for the whole top, to replace tomato soup.
option of garlic powder or garlic salt to sprinkle on tomato slices.
may still use bread crumbs over them, if desired.

Steps:

1. Spray with cooking spray or grease a 9 x 13 in. baking dish. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Wash and slice zucchini; do not peel. Slices should be about 1/4 in. thick. Precook in microwave oven, until mostly cooked. Let them cool.
3. Meanwhile, spray skillet with cooking spray. Brown ground beef in a large skillet with the onion; drain off grease. Remove excess grease from skillet with paper towels. The hamburger can stay in the skillet, while wiping areas of grease away.
4. If using canned corn, drain about half of the water away. The other corn is fine like it is, if you are using one of them, instead of canned. Put skillet with hamburger back on the burner and add corn & green bell pepper. Cook 5-8 mins., if mixture is too dry, add 2 Tbs. water & stir. Then, add beaten eggs. Stir mixture constantly, until eggs are set (cooked). Remove from heat.
5. Shred the cheese. Or use, already shredded cheese from the store (not fine shred).
6. In sprayed baking dish, add ingredients in layers: half of zucchini on the bottom, sprinkle with half the garlic powder, if using; salt and pepper to taste, if you like; then half of meat mixture, half of the soup--straight out of the can dropping in dollops, and half of the cheese. Repeat layers.
7. Place bread crumbs in a small bowl, melt butter, pour butter over crumbs and stir to mix. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top of the casserole. OR, try one of the variations of sliced tomatoes, with or without garlic power or garlic salt. You may still use bread crumbs over them, if you like.
8. Cook in preheated oven, for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven. Let sit 5-10 minutes.