Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole Recipe
This Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole is a hearty, low-carb meal combining sautéed ground beef, fresh zucchini, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with melted shredded cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner that is both flavorful and easy to prepare.
- Author: Mick
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (such as mozzarella or cheddar)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a medium-sized casserole dish with cooking spray or a little oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Ground Beef, Onion, and Garlic: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Zucchini and Tomato Sauce: Stir in the sliced zucchini, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the zucchini to soften slightly and the flavors to meld.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the cooked mixture into the greased casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top with Shredded Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the mixture to create a cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake Until Cheese is Melted and Bubbly: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving warm to enjoy the rich flavors and comforting texture.
Notes
- You can use any cheese of your preference, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or a blend of Italian cheeses for varied flavor.
- For a lower-carb option, replace tomato sauce with a homemade marinara made from fresh tomatoes with no added sugar.
- Adding some chopped bell peppers or mushrooms can enhance the vegetable component of the casserole.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: ground beef casserole, zucchini casserole, baked ground beef recipe, low carb dinner, cheesy beef casserole