Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
If you’re looking for an easy, comforting dinner that’s both hearty and packed with veggies, this Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole is the perfect recipe. It’s loaded with savory ground beef, tender zucchini, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese.
This casserole is simple, satisfying, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without a lot of fuss. Plus, it’s naturally lower in carbs since zucchini replaces traditional pasta layers.
If you enjoy easy comfort food recipes like this, you might also love garlic Parmesan chicken tenders or the always-popular taco bubble up bake for another quick and delicious family dinner.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy one-dish dinner
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Packed with protein and vegetables
- Simple pantry ingredients
- Family-friendly comfort food
- Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep
Key Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ground Beef: The hearty, savory base of the casserole.
- Zucchini: Serves as the primary vegetable and adds a light, fresh component to the dish while soaking up the sauce and flavors.
- Marinara Sauce: Creates the saucy element of the dish, bringing tomato flavor, acidity, and moisture.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Melts over the dish, adding creamy texture and classic Italian-style flavor.
- Garlic & Italian Seasoning: Provide the key aromatic and herb flavors that give the dish its Italian-inspired taste.
Variations
- Add More Vegetables: You can add mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach to the beef mixture.
- Make It Extra Cheesy: Try adding Parmesan or provolone along with the mozzarella.
- Add Pasta: For a heartier meal, mix in cooked penne or rotini pasta with the meat sauce.
How to Make Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet. Then, add the onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and set aside.
- Add the zucchini to the bottom of a prepared 13×9 baking dish. Then, top with the meat sauce and cheese.
- Bake uncovered until melty, top with fresh parsley, and enjoy.
Expert Tips
- Slice the Zucchini Evenly: Even slices ensure everything cooks at the same rate.
- Use Lean Ground Beef: Lean beef prevents the casserole from becoming greasy.
- Don’t Overbake It: Zucchini cooks quickly, so keep an eye on the casserole to prevent it from becoming too soft.
- Use a Flavorful Marinara: A good-quality marinara sauce adds extra depth of flavor to the dish.
Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Yes! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When you’re ready to cook, simply bake as directed. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s going straight from the fridge into the oven.
No, the zucchini does not need to be cooked beforehand. Since it is sliced thin and baked in the casserole, it will soften perfectly during baking.
Zucchini naturally releases water as it cooks. To help reduce excess moisture, lightly salt the zucchini slices, let them sit for 10–15 minutes, then pat them dry with a paper towel before assembling the casserole.
Yes, you can freeze it either before or after baking. Allow it to cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
Great alternatives to mozzarella include provolone, Monterey Jack, and Italian cheese blends. Pair them with Parmesan for even more flavor.
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
Equipment
- large skillet
- 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 medium zucchinis sliced
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- Fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Dice your onion and slice the zucchinis.
- Add the ground beef to a large skillet, and cook over medium heat, until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add the onion and garlic, and continue cooking for about a minute. Stir the sauce and seasonings into the meat mixture. Set aside.
- Arrange the zucchini slices in rows in a 9×13 inch casserole dish, slightly overlapping each other.
- Pour the meat and sauce over the zucchini, then sprinkle with mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 20 minutes..
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley, and allow the casserole to stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
