Description
This Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole is a flavorful and satisfying dish that uses thinly sliced zucchini instead of pasta. It features savory ground beef, tender zucchini, and melted mozzarella cheese, making it a crowd-pleasing comfort food that’s also light and balanced. It’s an easy, healthy, and low-carb option perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini sliced (about 2 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Slice zucchini into ½-inch rounds. Place them in a colander over the sink, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat. Let sit for 15 minutes to draw out excess water.
- Rinse zucchini slices thoroughly under cold water to remove the salt, then pat them completely dry using paper towels.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add minced garlic and the ground beef to the skillet. Break the meat apart with a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains, about 5–6 minutes.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for a minute, then remove from heat.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In an 8×8 inch baking dish, spread half the beef mixture on the bottom. Layer half the zucchini rounds over it, then sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat with the remaining beef, zucchini, and cheese.
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown on top.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
- Salting and drying the zucchini is crucial to prevent a soggy casserole.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a substitute for ground beef.
- Ensure the diced tomatoes are well-drained to maintain the casserole’s structure.
- This zucchini ground beef bake can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360
Keywords: Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole, Zucchini beef bake, Ground beef zucchini casserole recipe, Easy zucchini ground beef casserole, Cheesy zucchini beef casserole, Low carb zucchini ground beef casserole, Zucchini and ground beef casserole without pasta, Healthy zucchini ground beef casserole, Ground beef zucchini casserole with cheese, Best zucchini ground beef casserole, How to make zucchini ground beef casserole, Zucchini ground beef casserole with rice, One pan zucchini ground beef casserole, Zucchini beef and rice casserole, Ground beef zucchini bake recipe, Zucchini ground beef casserole dinner