Ground Beef Zucchini Casserole

A slice of baked lasagna with a browned cheese topping is served on a white plate, with shredded cheese scattered in the background.

This ground beef zucchini casserole is hearty, cheesy, and easy to pull together on a busy night. Tender zucchini and seasoned ground beef bake into a satisfying dinner that feels comforting without being heavy. It slices well and works just as well for leftovers the next day.

Course Main Course, Main Dishes

Cuisine American, International

Keyword beef and zucchini casserole, casserole, cheesy, ground beef, ground beef casserole, ground beef zucchini casserole, low carb, mozzarella, mozzarella cheese, skillet, zucchini casserole

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Resting Time 10

Servings Servings

Calories 575kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

Ingredients

¾ Cup Mozzarella shredded
1½ Pieces Medium Zucchinis thinly sliced
¼ Cup Parmesan grated
½ Pound Ground Beef
½ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 Piece Large Egg lightly beaten
½ Cup Ricotta Cheese
½ Cup Marinara Sauce no added sugar
Olive Oil for brushing
Pinch Salt
Pinch Black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°Fahrenheit (190°Celsius) and gather all ingredients on the counter for easy assembly.
Cut the zucchini into thin, even slices, sprinkle with salt, let sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels to remove excess water.
Brown the ground meat in a skillet over medium-high heat, drain the grease, then stir in marinara and seasoning and let simmer for a few minutes.
Combine ricotta, egg, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth for the creamy filling layer.
Lightly coat your baking dish with olive oil, then layer zucchini slices, cheese filling, beef mixture, and mozzarella, repeating and finishing with mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, remove foil and bake 15 more minutes until golden and bubbling, then let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use even zucchini slices: Slice your zucchini uniformly so they cook evenly and don’t release too much water. This helps keep the casserole from becoming soggy.
Brown the ground beef first: Cooking the beef separately ensures it’s fully cooked and flavorful before layering. It also reduces excess grease in the casserole.
Drain excess liquid: If your zucchini or marinara sauce releases water, drain a little before assembling. This keeps the casserole from getting watery.
Layer thoughtfully: Start with sauce, then zucchini, beef, and cheese for even cooking and flavor distribution. Proper layering makes every bite balanced and delicious.

Nutrition