4cupspacked, shredded zucchini (about 3-4 small/medium zucchini) - see note
½teaspoonsalt
2largeeggs
½cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese
1cupshredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce + Cheese:
1 to 1 ½poundslean ground beef or ground turkey
½cupfinely chopped onion
½teaspoonsalt
pinchblack pepper
2tablespoonstomato paste
1teaspoondried basil
½teaspoondried oregano
28-ouncecancrushed tomatoes
1cupshredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the zucchini in a colander set in the sink or on a plate and sprinkle with salt. Toss. Let the zucchini stand for 10-20 minutes.
Using your hands, get right in there in the colander and squeeze handfuls of shredded zucchini until the excess moisture is wrung out (basically, until it doesn't drip like crazy when you squeeze handfuls together). You should have about 2 cups (345 grams) of shredded zucchini when you're done.
Place the shredded zucchini in a medium bowl. Add the eggs, Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses and stir with a rubber spatula until well combined.
Lightly grease a 9X13-inch (or slightly smaller) baking dish with cooking spray.
Press the zucchini mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes.
While the zucchini bakes, heat a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef, onion, salt and pepper. Cook the ground beef, breaking into small pieces, until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
Add the tomato paste, basil, and oregano. Stir and cook over medium heat for 30 seconds or so until sizzling. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
Remove the casserole from the oven. Pour the meat sauce over the top. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and return to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbling.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Zucchini: I shred the zucchini for this recipe on the large holes of the box grater (or food processor shredding disc).