This ground beef and zucchini casserole combines delicious and hearty flavors into a quick, low-carb dinner! The rich, cheesy layers, the seasoned beef, and the freshness of the zucchini make it a crowd pleaser. Plus, it’s very simple to throw together, too!
Looking for a no-fuss low-carb dinner idea, particularly for busy weeknights? I’ve got you! My recipe for ground beef and zucchini casserole is the ultimate comfort food, checking all the boxes for a satisfying and flavorful meal. Savory meat? Melty cheese? Green veggies? All of the above!
It’s hearty enough on its own, but can still be paired with a side dish or two if you’re feeding a group. Mealtimes can be stress-free when you’ve got this delicious dish in your regular dinner rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Needed For Zucchini Casserole With Ground Beef
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- fresh parsley, to garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions With Pictures
Preheat the oven to 375°F, and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Dice your onions.
Slice the zucchinis.
Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Break the meat up as it cooks.
Add the onion and the garlic. Continue cooking for 1-3 minutes.
Add the marinara sauce and the seasonings.
Stir the beef mixture and then set it aside for now.
Arrange the zucchini slices in rows inside the greased baking dish, with each slice slightly overlapping the other.
Pour the meat mixture on top of the zucchinis.
Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese.
Bake the dish, uncovered, in the oven for 20 minutes.
After baking, sprinkle the top with fresh parsley. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Expert Tips For Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole
Here are some tips to help make this dish more delicious:
- Salt and Drain the Zucchini: To prevent your casserole from being watery, you can salt the zucchini slices, let them sit for 15 minutes, and then blot them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Always Go for Lean Ground Beef. Using this kind of ground meat will let you have a rich-tasting casserole without it becoming too oily or greasy, especially on top.
- Bind If Needed: If you think the casserole feels too loose after cooking, add a binding agent. An egg or shredded cheese can help hold the dish together after it has baked.
- Let It Rest: Giving the dish at least 5 minutes to rest before serving will let it firm up, making it easier to slice or scoop.
- Don’t Skip the Herbs: A sprinkle of parsley will help brighten the dish. Fresh basil and thyme also work well.
Serving This Cheesy Zucchini And Beef Casserole
This dish works well when served with the following:
- Good Old Bread: A slice of garlic bread on the side can act like a sponge, soaking up all the dish’s warm juices.
- On A Bed of Potatoes: Serve the dish over a thick serving of mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food mash-up.
- With Rice: This beef casserole works well with plain white rice or cauliflower rice.
- With A Side of Greens: Serve this amazing ground beef and zucchini casserole with a crisp side salad or roasted vegetables.
- Single Serving: Use ramekins to serve portions of the dish, giving it a restaurant-style feel.
Variations
Here are some ideas to make this casserole taste even better:
- Protein Swap: Not a fan of beef? Swap for ground turkey, chicken, black beans, or lentils. They would still work well with zucchini’s mild taste.
- Make It Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to give the dish a bit of heat.
- Sneak in More Veggies: Add shredded carrots, mushrooms, spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, yellow squash, or bell peppers to up the nutritional content of this beef casserole.
- Crunchy Topping: If you’re not concerned with keeping things gluten-free, you can mix panko breadcrumbs and olive oil with the mozzarella cheese before sprinkling it on top of the dish. This will add extra texture and flavor.
- Cheese Mix: Change the flavors by using cheddar cheese, pepper jack, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, or a mix of cheeses.
Storage And Reheating Tips
Store: Keep any leftover ground beef casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freeze: If you need to store the dish longer, transfer it to a freezer-safe container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat: You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave or oven until they are warmed through. If reheating frozen servings, thaw them in the fridge overnight first.
One Last Thing
This ground beef and zucchini casserole is a dependable, delicious meal that you can serve any night of the week!
It’s cozy, customizable, and a certifiable crowd-pleaser. Bring it with you for potlucks, family dinners, or neighborhood gatherings – people will be asking you for the recipe!
Your Turn
If you make this ground beef and zucchini casserole, please take a moment to let me know how you liked it by leaving a rating and a comment below on the recipe card. Follow me on Pinterest and Facebook for more easy and tasty recipes!
More Casserole Recipes To Try
Hearty Ground Beef And Zucchini Casserole
Equipment
- Baking dish 9×13
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium zucchinis sliced
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F, and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Dice your onions.1 small onion
- Slice the zucchinis.2 medium zucchinis
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until browned. Break the meat up as it cooks.1 lb lean ground beef
- Add the onion and the garlic. Continue cooking for a minute.1 tsp garlic
- Add the marinara sauce and the seasonings.1 cup marinara sauce, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Stir the beef mixture and then set aside for now.
- Arrange the zucchini slices in rows inside the greased baking dish, with each slice slightly overlapping the other.
- Pour the meat mixture on top of the zucchinis.
- Sprinkle the top with mozzarella cheese.1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- Bake the dish, uncovered, in the oven for 20 minutes.
- After baking, sprinkle the top with fresh parsley. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!fresh parsley
Notes
- Salt and Drain the Zucchini: To avoid making your casserole watery, you can salt the zucchini slices, let them sit for 15 minutes, then blot them with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- Always Opt for Lean Ground Beef: Using this kind of ground meat will let you have a rich-tasting casserole without it getting too oily or greasy, especially on top.
- Bind If Needed: If you think the casserole feels too loose after cooking, add a binding agent. An egg or shredded cheese can help hold the dish together after baking.
- Let It Rest: Giving the dish at least 5 minutes to rest before serving will let it firm up, making it easier to slice or scoop.
- Don’t Skip the Herbs: A sprinkle of parsley will help brighten the dish. Fresh basil and thyme work well, too.
Nutrition
Tamara Tsaturyan is the owner and writer of Thriving In Parenting, a website focused on providing simple tips for busy parents — easy and healthy recipes, home decor and organization ideas and all things P A R E N T I N G.
Share Your Thoughts!
I love to know your thoughts, make sure to comment below to start a discussion! You can also follow me on your favorite social network below.