Description
Ground Beef Zucchini Bake is a hearty, low-carb casserole packed with fresh zucchini, savory ground beef, marinara, and melted cheese. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep, this flavorful dish brings comfort to the table without the extra carbs.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs zucchini, sliced into rounds (salted & patted dry)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
8 oz mushrooms, diced
1 tsp salt (divided)
1 tsp garlic powder (divided)
1 tsp onion powder (divided)
1 tsp paprika
1 lb ground beef
1 cup marinara sauce
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tsp Italian herb blend
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for 2–3 minutes, then stir in the mushrooms and cook for another 4–5 minutes. Season with half of the salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook the beef: Using the same skillet, add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Stir in the remaining salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Assemble the bake: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the zucchini slices, sautéed vegetables, ground beef, marinara sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, Italian herbs, and pepper. Mix well. Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Place in a preheated 400°F oven for 30 minutes. Remove, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella, and return to bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Salt zucchini slices and pat dry to reduce excess moisture.
Swap ground beef for chicken, turkey, or pork for a different flavor.
Add extra veggies like spinach or bell peppers for more variety.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 348
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Protein: 23g