Cheesy beef zucchini casserole is a hearty dinner made with rice, beef, zucchini, and a flavorful cheese sauce. This casserole is filling, made from scratch, and feeds eight!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time16 minutesmins
Total Time36 minutesmins
Servings: 8servings
Calories: 560kcal
Ingredients
4cupscooked rice, any variety
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
1mediumonion, diced
3clovesgarlic, minced
16ouncesground beef
¼cupall-purpose flour
3.5cupswhole milk
1teaspoonpaprika
1teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
2smallzucchini, about 12 ounces, diced
2cupsshredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1cupgrated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish and set aside.
In a stock pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and cook until they begin to brown around the edges, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Crumble beef into pan and sauté until browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Drain any excess grease from the pan, leaving a few tablespoons to make a roux in the next step.
Add flour, tossing to coat beef and onions. Cook for one minute. Add milk to pot, whisking to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly. Add diced zucchini, parmesan cheese, and half of cheddar cheese. Stir and cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes, or until cheese has completely melted. Remove from heat.
Add rice to cheese sauce, stirring to incorporate. Pour rice mixture into prepared casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
Bake, uncovered, for 16 to 18 minutes, or until cheese has melted across the top and casserole is hot in the center. Serve warm.
Leftovers will keep for up to 4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
Casserole can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze casserole whole, assemble casserole as directed. Before baking, cover tightly with a lid (or foil) and freeze. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. Add 10 minutes or more to baking time to warm a cold casserole.
Ground beef can be substituted with your favorite ground meat, like pork, turkey, or bison.
Recipe must be prepared with cooked rice - recipe does not include enough liquid or cooking time to cook rice.