Hurry-Up Italian Casserole

Narita Roady

Pryor, OK

I’m always looking for ways to serve dinner in a hurry and also trying to get more vegetables into our diet. This dish does both!

4 zucchini, thinly sliced

1/2 c. water

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 c. onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-1/2 t. Italian seasoning

1/2 t. salt

1 T. olive oil

2 c. fresh spinach, torn

1-1/2 c. marinara sauce

1-1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Place zucchini and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes; drain. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, brown beef, onion and garlic. Drain; sprinkle with seasonings. Spoon into a 9"x9" glass baking pan and set aside. Add oil to same skillet; add spinach and stir until wilted. Combine spinach and zucchini; mix well and spread over beef mixture. Spread marinara sauce over top; sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Makes 6 servings.

Save chopping time...use a garlic press. Don’t even bother peeling the clove, just place it in the garlic press and close. The peel slides right off and the paste is easily removed for any recipe.