Savory Christmas Eve Beef Casserole Recipe
This Savory Christmas Eve Beef Casserole is a flavorful and hearty dish featuring sautéed vegetables, creamy ricotta, and melted cheddar cheese baked to perfection. Perfect for a festive holiday meal, this casserole combines zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and spinach with Italian seasoning and eggs to create a wholesome and comforting dish that can be adapted for various dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes (oven) or 10 minutes (Instant Pot)
- Total Time: 45 minutes (oven) or 25 minutes (Instant Pot, including sautéing and resting)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 medium Zucchini (Can substitute with yellow squash)
- 2 cups Bell Peppers (Any variety; red or orange for sweetness)
- 1 cup Mushrooms (Can swap with cauliflower florets)
- 2 cups Spinach (Fresh or frozen)
Dairy & Eggs
- 1 cup Ricotta Cheese (Substitute with cottage cheese for lower fat)
- 2 large Eggs (For vegan option, use flaxseed meal mixed with water)
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese (Substitute with mozzarella or dairy-free cheese for vegan)
Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning (Blend of oregano, basil, and thyme)
- Olive Oil (for sautéing, approximately 2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven or Prepare Instant Pot: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if baking, or set your Instant Pot to the sauté function if using this method.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a pan or in the Instant Pot sauté mode; add zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and release their flavors.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables with spinach, ricotta cheese, eggs, and Italian seasoning. Stir well until all components are evenly incorporated.
- Prepare Casserole Dish: Grease your casserole dish or the inner pot of the Instant Pot thoroughly to prevent sticking. Spread the vegetable and cheese mixture evenly across the dish or pot.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole mixture for a gooey, golden finish once cooked.
- Cook the Casserole: For oven baking, place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. For Instant Pot, seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then use quick release to remove pressure.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the casserole to rest for about 5 minutes after cooking to set and cool slightly, making it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute zucchini with yellow squash and mushrooms with cauliflower florets according to availability or preference.
- For a vegan version, replace eggs with flaxseed meal mixed with water and use dairy-free cheese alternatives.
- Use fresh or frozen spinach based on what you have on hand.
- If lowering fat content, substitute ricotta cheese with cottage cheese.
- This casserole can be cooked either in the oven or the Instant Pot for convenience and time-saving.
Keywords: Christmas casserole, beef casserole, holiday dinner, baked vegetables, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese, Italian seasoning, vegetarian casserole
