High-Protein Low-Carb Zucchini Pizza Casserole 🍕🥒
High Protein
Low Carb
Gluten Free
Enjoy all the delicious flavors of pizza without the heavy crust! This Zucchini Pizza Casserole combines tender zucchini, seasoned ground beef, savory pepperoni, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella. It’s cheesy, satisfying, and perfect for a high-protein, low-carb dinner.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (93% lean)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup sugar-free marinara or pizza sauce
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Optional Toppings:
- Extra shredded mozzarella
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Sliced mushrooms
- Chopped bell peppers
Instructions
1. Prepare the oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with olive oil.
2. Prepare zucchini: Wash and slice zucchini into thin, even rounds. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to release excess moisture. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
3. Cook the ground beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart until browned and fully cooked. Drain excess grease if necessary.
4. Season the beef: Add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook for another minute.
5. Add pizza sauce: Stir the sugar-free marinara sauce into the cooked beef. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until everything is well combined.
6. Layer the zucchini: Arrange half of the zucchini slices across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
7. Add the meat mixture: Spread half of the seasoned ground beef mixture over the zucchini.
8. Add cheese and pepperoni: Sprinkle with half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add some pepperoni slices.
9. Repeat the layers: Add the remaining zucchini, ground beef mixture, mozzarella, Parmesan, and pepperoni.
10. Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
11. Broil (optional): Broil for 1–2 minutes for a beautifully browned cheesy topping. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
12. Rest and serve: Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Estimated Nutrition
Per serving (1 of 4), using lean ground beef
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 390 kcal |
| Protein | 39g |
| Total Carbs | 8g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Net Carbs | 6g |
| Fat | 23g |
Nutrition is estimated and depends on the beef, cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce used.
Tips for Perfect Zucchini Pizza Casserole
- Pat zucchini dry to prevent a watery casserole.
- Use lean ground beef or ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Choose no-added-sugar marinara sauce to keep carbs low.
- Add extra mozzarella for a cheesier topping.
- Let the casserole rest before cutting so the layers hold together.
Weight-Loss & Meal Prep Tips
- Use 93–96% lean ground beef to reduce fat.
- Add extra zucchini and mushrooms for more volume.
- Use part-skim mozzarella to reduce calories.
- Divide into individual portions for easy meal preparation.
- Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
Keto-Friendly Dinner
Enjoy cheesy pizza flavor with approximately 39g protein and 6g net carbs per serving! ❤️
