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Easy Cheesy Beef & Zucchini Noodle Bake

zucchini noodle bake - featured image
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A hearty, satisfying casserole that swaps pasta for tender zucchini noodles, layered with seasoned ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is comfort food reimagined—healthier, faster, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 works great; lean ground beef or ground turkey also works well)
  • 4 medium zucchini (about 2 lbs total, spiralized or sliced into ribbons)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded melts better)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Prepare the zucchini noodles: Wash zucchini and trim ends. Spiralize into long strands or use a vegetable peeler to make thin ribbons. Place in a bowl, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with a clean towel.
  3. Brown the ground beef: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  4. Build the sauce: Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Layer the bake: Spread half of the zucchini noodles in the prepared dish. Spoon half of the beef sauce over the zucchini. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan. Repeat layers with remaining zucchini, beef sauce, and cheeses.
  6. Bake: Place dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Zucchini should be tender but not mushy.
  7. Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Don’t skip salting the zucchini noodles to avoid a watery casserole. Use freshly shredded mozzarella for best melting. Avoid over-baking to keep zucchini from turning mushy. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to help layers set.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini noodle bake, cheesy beef casserole, low-carb dinner, gluten-free casserole, weeknight dinner, ground beef recipe, zucchini recipe

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/easy-cheesy-beef-and-zucchini-noodle-bake/