Description
A delicious, low-carb comfort food dinner packed with lean ground beef, tender zucchini, rich tomato sauce, and a generous topping of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for sharing at your next gathering or enjoying a healthy weeknight meal!
Ingredients
1 lb (450g) lean ground beef
3 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 oz / 425g) can tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 1/2 cups (170g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion and minced garlic, crumbling the beef as it cooks.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend well.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange half of the zucchini slices evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Spoon the cooked ground beef mixture evenly over the first layer of zucchini.
- Place the remaining zucchini slices on top of the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown, and the zucchini is tender.
- For extra golden-brown spots, broil during the last 2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving to make slicing easier and to let the flavors settle.
Notes
Salt the zucchini slices and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture before baking, then pat dry.
Broil for the last 2 minutes to get golden brown cheese spots on top, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
For best results, use freshly shredded cheeses as they melt more smoothly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sodium: 550mg
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: ground beef casserole, zucchini recipe, low carb dinner, cheesy beef bake, healthy comfort food, beef and zucchini
