Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep the Zucchini
- Grate zucchini on the large holes of a box grater. Toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a colander and let drain for 15 minutes. Squeeze handfuls firmly to extract as much liquid as possible - this is crucial for a casserole that holds together instead of swimming in water.
Cook the Base
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add squeezed zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until it stops releasing liquid and just starts to turn golden in spots, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute more until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl.
- In the same skillet, cook Italian sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Assemble and Bake
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Stir pizza sauce, oregano, and red pepper flakes into the cooked sausage. Taste and add salt if your sauce needs it.
- Spread half the zucchini mixture in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with half the sausage-sauce mixture and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers. Finish with remaining 1 cup mozzarella and all the Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered until cheese is melted and spotty golden brown, and the edges are bubbling, 25 to 30 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving - this helps it set so you can cut clean squares. Scatter fresh basil over top.
Notes
Squeeze the zucchini aggressively - I mean really wring it out. Watery zucchini ruins this dish. Substitute ground turkey or plant-based sausage if you prefer; just add a pinch of fennel seed to keep that pizza flavor. Assemble the whole thing up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate; add 10 minutes to the bake time.
