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Zoodle Spaghetti Casserole (Low Carb Zucchini Recipe)

This Zoodle Spaghetti Casserole is a hearty, low carb meal packed with flavor!  Zucchini noodles (zoodles) are layered with a rich meat sauce, a creamy cottage cheese filling and a golden brown, gooey mozzarella topping that ties everything together. This low-carb comfort food is a great recipe for anyone on a low carb diet or limiting grains!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword lasagna, low carb, zoodle casserole
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 6

Equipment

  • 1 9 x 13 casserole dish
  • 1 vegetable spiralizer
  • 1 colander for straining spiralized zucchini
  • 2 large bowls
  • 1 small bowl
  • 1 large skillet
  • 2 large spoons for spreading layers

Ingredients

  • 6 medium sized zucchini
  • 8 oz mozzarella, coarsely shredded and divided
  • 2/3 cup parmesan, finely shredded and divided
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 24 oz strained tomatoes or plain tomato sauce
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided (plus more to taste in sauce)
  • 6 fresh basil leaves, sliced (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 16 oz cottage cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 2 eggs
  • Fresh parsely for garnish (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon butter, ghee, or tallow

Instructions

Make the Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles)

  • Spiralize zucchini and place into a large colander. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over zoodles and coat as evenly as you can with your hands. Place colander over a bowl or plate and let zucchini rest for at least 1 hour.
  • After an hour or so, gently squeeze as much moisture out of the zoodles as you can- without totally squishing the zoodles into mush.

Make the Meat Sauce

  • While the zoodles are resting with salt, you can prepare the meat sauce.
  • Heat a large skillet to medium heat.
  • Sauté onions in ghee or tallow until fairly translucent.
  • Add garlic and stir until just fragrant.
  • Add ground beef. Cook for about 10 minutes or until fully browned, stirring frequently. Try to keep the heat somewhat high so there is not a lot of liquid in the pain, causing the beef to boil instead of brown on the bottom of the pan.
  • Add beef mixture to large bowl.
  • Add tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and basil to bowl and stir to combine.

Prepare the Cheeses and Creamy Cheese Sauce

  • Add eggs, cottage cheese, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, and oregano or Italian seasoning to a small bowl and combine well.

​Prepare the Casserole

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Evenly spread 1/3 of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
  • Evenly spread 1/2 of the strained spiralized zucchini noodles of the the layer of meat sauce.
  • Evenly spread cottage cheese mixture over zoodle layer.
  • Evenly distribute 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella over cottage cheese
  • Evenly spread another 1/3 of the meat sauce over mozzarella.
  • Evenly layer the rest of the zoodles over the layer of meat sauce.
  • Evenly layer the final layer of meat sauce over zoodles.
  • Evenly distribute the rest of the mozzarella and parmesan on top of the meat sauce.
  • Place on the center rack of the preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 50 minutes to one hour, or until top later of cheese begins to bubble and turn golden brown in areas.
  • Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before cutting into.
  • Cut into squares of desired serving sizes.
  • Enjoy!