Description
A delicious low-carb Ground Beef Zucchini Bake featuring sautéed vegetables, seasoned ground beef, and layers of cheese baked to perfection. This hearty casserole is perfect for a comforting, healthy dinner that’s rich in flavor and low in carbohydrates.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1½ lbs zucchini, cut into rounds, salted and patted dry
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 8 oz mushrooms, diced
Meat and Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt, plus additional to taste
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tsp Italian herb blend
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheeses
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Prepare Zucchini: Salt the zucchini rounds and set aside for 15 minutes. Afterward, pat them dry to remove excess moisture, which helps prevent the dish from becoming soggy.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 2–3 minutes until they start to soften and become translucent.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add diced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 4–5 minutes. Season the vegetables with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder for enhanced flavor.
- Brown Ground Beef: Transfer the cooked vegetables to a plate. In the same skillet, add the ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Season Ground Beef: Stir in salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika into the ground beef. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed to ensure the meat is flavorful.
- Assemble Casserole: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the salted zucchini rounds, sautéed vegetables, seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, Italian herb blend, salt, and pepper. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- First Bake: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and slightly golden, about 5–7 minutes more.
Notes
- Salting and drying the zucchini helps reduce excess moisture and prevents the bake from becoming watery.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meat option.
- Use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce based on your preference.
- For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes when seasoning the ground beef.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef zucchini bake, low carb casserole, baked ground beef recipe, zucchini bake, healthy dinner, low carb dinner
