California Zucchini Bake

Description
Real vegetables, ground beef, and cheese mix well and cook as it is then made with rice, herbs, and spices, is baked to a smooth aroma, and provides the vegetable-based dish with some bold zest.

Ingredients

 * 1 pound lean ground beef
 * 2 small zucchinis, thinly sliced
 * ¼ cup sliced green onions
 * 2 cups cooked rice, white only
 * 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded American or Monterey Jack cheese, divided
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * ½ teaspoon garlic powder
 * ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
 * ½ teaspoon chili powder
 * ½ cup sour cream
 * 1 large fresh tomato, sliced
 * cheese slices (Cheddar, Asiago, or Colby), optional

Directions

 * 1) Cook beef, zucchini and onions in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender crisp, stirring frequently.
 * 2) Add rice, ½ cup cheese, garlic powder, ground black pepper, chili powder, and sour cream; turn into a buttered 2-quart baking dish.
 * 3) Arrange tomato slices on top; sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheese.
 * 4) Bake at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes. Serve hot and plain but top with the cheese slices, if desired, and cut into serving pieces with the kitchen knife.