Ingredients
The Base & Protein:
- 1 lb (500g) lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thin rounds
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce & Seasoning:
- 1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed or diced tomatoes (or tomato sauce)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
The High-Protein Cheese Layer:
- 1 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese—blended smooth if you prefer a creamier texture)
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (divided)
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Prep and Preheat
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking or casserole dish.
2. Cook the Meat Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent (about 3 minutes).
- Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until completely browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Drain any excess grease, then stir in the crushed or diced tomatoes. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, then transfer the meat mixture into your prepared casserole dish.
3. Soften the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add your sliced zucchini and carrot rounds. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cover and sauté for about 4–5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften up (they will finish cooking in the oven).
4. Assemble the Casserole
- Add the softened zucchini and carrots into the casserole dish with the meat sauce.
- Add the cottage cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese directly into the dish. Toss everything gently so the meat, sauce, veggies, and protein-packed cheese are well combined, then smooth it into an even layer.
5. Add the Cheesy Topping
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the grated Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
6. Bake
- Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes.
- For the last 3–5 minutes, switch your oven to broil to get the top bubbly, golden brown, and slightly crisp.
7. Serve
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving so it sets. Enjoy a hearty, low-carb, high-protein meal!
Nutritional Profile (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~340 kcal
- Protein: ~32g
- Carbohydrates: ~9g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Sugars: ~4g
- Fat: ~20g
- Saturated Fat: ~9g
- Sodium: ~580mg
