Zucchini Ravioli with Minced Beef and Feta Filling

Once again zucchini (courgette) to the rescue, providing a really good alternative to standard carb and gluten-heavy pasta. The prep work for these isn't as bad as it looks and they make surprisingly tasty parcels, which you can fill with basically whatever you like. Ricotta and spinach would make a quick and tasty vegetarian alternative. Adding these spices to the beef brings out a lot of Greek-style flavors which complements the feta perfectly, and if you have any left over, you can easily add a bit more tomato sauce and veg to it the next day for a quick chili. Serve immediately on its own or with a side salad. Bon appetit!

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 25 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 776 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 pound extra-lean ground beef
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (Optional)
• 1 (4 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 chile pepper, chopped
• 1 (4 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 zucchini, or more to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Heat coconut oil in a skillet over medium heat; add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add ground beef; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 3

Stir 4-ounce can tomato sauce, chile pepper, turmeric, black pepper, cumin, and coriander into the beef mixture; cook and stir until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat.

Step 4

Peel zucchini into large flat ribbons using a vegetable peeler. Arrange 2 pieces in an "x" shape. Place a piece of feta cheese in the middle of the zucchini "x"; add a spoonful of beef mixture. Carefully wrap the ends of zucchini ribbons over the top to form a ravioli-shape. Repeat with remaining zucchini, feta cheese, and beef mixture.

Step 5

Coat the bottom of a baking dish with 1/2 of the 15-ounce can tomato sauce. Arrange zucchini "ravioli" over sauce. Top with remaining tomato sauce, basil, and Parmesan cheese.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until sauce has thickened and cheese is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.