Ratatouille Casserole

From Amanda Paveglio This is a great low-carb casserole that ages really well and is good for leftovers. I like to make a pan of this on a Sunday night, and then we’ll take it to work for lunch for several days. If you have a food processor, it will make quick work of chopping all the vegetables. Be sure to use a LARGE skillet for this -- by the end of the recipe, all of the ingredients end up simmering in it. Enjoy!

ingredients

1 lb ground turkey or chicken
paprika
sage
1 tsp minced garlic (or to taste)
1 large zucchini (or 2 medium), sliced thin
2 small-medium yellow summer squash, sliced thin
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 Tbsp dried thyme
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp black pepper
olive or vegetable oil (for sauteing vegetables)
2 Cups shredded mozzarella cheese

directions

1
1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2
2. Brown turkey or chicken in large skillet over medium heat, with a *small amount* of oil. Season with a large dash each of paprika and sage as it cooks. Chop with spatula as it cooks so that it becomes crumbly.
3
3. Remove cooked meat from skillet with slotted spoon; set aside in large glass bowl. Reserve meat juices in skillet. Do not reduce heat under skillet!
4
4. Add a small amt of oil to meat juices in skillet, and swirl to coat. Saute minced garlic and sliced squashes 4-5 minutes, until tender. Transfer garlic/squashes into bowl with meat.
5
5. Add onion and pepper to skillet, with a little more oil. Saute 4-5 minutes, until onion is tender/translucent. Add diced tomatoes; simmer another 3-4 minutes.
6
6. Add the cooked squashes, garlic, and meat back into the skillet. Add the parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper and stir it all together to mix thoroughly. Simmer 5-6 minutes. Turn off heat under skillet.
7
7. Spoon 1/2 of mixture into 9x13 glass or ceramic casserole dish. Layer shredded mozzarella cheese over veggie/meat mixture. Spoon remaining mixture over cheese. Add some juices from skillet for extra moisture, if desired.