Ground Beef Zucchini Bake (Low Carb) Recipe
A delicious low-carb Ground Beef Zucchini Bake featuring sautéed vegetables, seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and layers of melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. This hearty casserole is perfect for a flavorful and comforting dinner that keeps carbs in check.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1½ lbs zucchini (cut into rounds, salted and patted dry)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 8 oz mushrooms (diced)
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt (divided, ½ tsp for vegetables and ½ tsp for meat)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (divided, ½ tsp for vegetables and ½ tsp for meat)
- 1 tsp onion powder (divided, ½ tsp for vegetables and ½ tsp for meat)
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tsp Italian herb blend
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided: 1 cup and ½ cup)
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400℉ (200℃) to ensure it’s fully heated by the time you assemble the bake.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Add diced mushrooms and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Sprinkle the ½ tsp salt, garlic powder, and onion powder over the veggies and stir to coat evenly. Transfer sautéed vegetables to a plate and set aside.
- Cook ground beef: In the same skillet, add ground beef and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with the remaining ½ tsp salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika, stirring to blend the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Assemble the bake: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the salted and dried zucchini rounds, sautéed vegetables, cooked ground beef, marinara sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, Italian herb blend, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix gently but thoroughly to distribute all ingredients.
- First bake: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to meld the flavors and soften the zucchini.
- Finish baking: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese melts and bubbles, approximately 5-7 minutes more. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Salting and pat drying the zucchini is essential to reduce excess moisture and prevent a watery bake.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a different protein option.
- You can use homemade or store-bought marinara sauce depending on your preference.
- For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like basil or oregano before serving.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add an extra 5-10 minutes to baking time if baked cold.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: ground beef bake, zucchini casserole, low carb dinner, healthy ground beef recipe, cheesy zucchini bake
