This 30-minutes ground beef zucchini casserole with rice is a real weeknight dinner winner, a great recipe to prep ahead for family and friends. Basically a hamburger in a casserole dish, it's a great way to sneak some green zucchini into your diet, hidden in the cheesy goodness of the casserole.
It’s a dish where seasoned ground beef is combined with fresh zucchini and fluffy rice, baked together under a creamy cheese topping and finished with Italian seasonings and diced tomatoes. It’s basically a hamburger in a casserole dish and I promise you won't get any complains about this recipe. My kids don't even whine about the zucchini!
In my home, this is a favorite. The kids eat it enthusiastically, zucchini and all—which is a miracle since they’re usually not big fans of this veggie. It’s also great for those nights when you haven’t planned ahead because it's a good way to use ingredients that are likely already in your kitchen.
This is one of those reliable recipes—like my Chicken Butternut Squash Casserole and Slow Cooker Greek Chicken—that makes sure the family gets fed and no one goes to bed hungry (even on the busiest nights). If you're more organized than I am, you can prep it the night before and simply pop it into the oven at dinnertime. And the best part? It freezes beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead meal. With so many reasons to love it, this casserole is definitely worth bookmarking!
Ingredients for Your 30-Minute Casserole
The ingredients for this casserole are pretty simple: ground beef, zucchini, and rice. Combine this with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and top with LOTS of cheese.
Choosing the Right Ground Beef:
For the best results, use ground beef with an 80/20 or 85/15 lean-to-fat ratio. The slightly higher fat content ensures a richer, more flavorful casserole while keeping the beef tender and juicy. Leaner ground beef (90/10 or higher) may dry out, especially when baked, so if you're using it, consider adding a splash of olive oil for moisture.
This type of ground beef isn’t just perfect for this casserole—it also works beautifully in other comforting dishes like this Beef Pot Pie or Oven-Baked Ground Beef Nachos, both of which bring out its hearty, savory qualities.
Directions for Ground Beef Zucchini Rice Casserole
This ground beef zucchini casserole is a straightforward recipe that combines fresh zucchini, seasoned ground beef, and rice into a delicious and filling meal. Perfect for an easy dinner, this is a great dish to make as it's not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavor. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a comforting beef zucchini casserole, I'm sure you'll love this recipe. Each step is designed to guide you through the process, ensuring that you achieve great results with minimal effort. Let’s get started!
Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 395°F (200°C). While the oven is heating, grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with a little olive oil to prevent the casserole from sticking.
Prepare the Ground Beef
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and season with sea salt and black pepper. Add and heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef and sear it for about 3 minutes, or until it is browned. Remove the beef and set it aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and heat it over medium heat. Add the minced onion, minced garlic, and chopped zucchini. Sauté the mixture for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened.
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How do I avoid soggy Zucchini?
To keep zucchini from making your casserole watery, sautéing is the best method. Cooking the zucchini in a pan for a few minutes before adding it to the casserole helps release excess moisture, preventing sogginess while enhancing its natural sweetness. By briefly cooking it over medium heat, you allow some of the moisture to evaporate so it doesn’t release too much liquid while baking.
Combine Ingredients
Return the cooked ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Add the cooked rice, Italian seasoning, and tomatoes. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it is simmering, add the cream cheese and mix until everything is well combined and creamy.
Assemble the Zucchini Ground Beef Casserole
Transfer the beef and vegetable mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. This will create a delicious cheesy layer once baked.
Bake and Dig In!
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye on it to ensure the cheese doesn't burn.
After baking, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to serve.
How to Store Leftover Beef Zucchini Casserole?
To store the ground beef zucchini and rice casserole, allow the dish to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. For best results, refrigerate the casserole for up to 5 days. If you prefer to freeze it, portion the casserole into freezer-safe bags or containers, ensuring to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. To reheat, place the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use a microwave, heating in 1-minute intervals until warm. Make sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Top Tips
Use fresh zucchini: For the best flavor and texture in your zucchini casserole, opt for fresh zucchini.
Brown the ground beef properly: When preparing your ground beef, take the time to brown it well in the skillet. This step is crucial as it develops the flavor of the beef and ensures that it cooks evenly. Once the beef is browned, drain any excess fat before adding it to the casserole mixture.
What to Serve with Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole
Savory dishes like a creamy casserole pair well with salads and breads because they balance richness with refreshing or comforting flavors. A pearl couscous salad, with its chewy texture and tangy dressing, adds a light contrast, while a Russian vinaigrette salad, with earthy beets and a zesty vinaigrette, enhances the meal's complexity. For a cozy touch, garlic bread made with Italian rosemary sourdough provides a savory, aromatic complement to the dish.
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Recipe
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Ground Beef Zucchini and Rice Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef 453 g
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 small onion minced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 lb zucchini chopped (453 g)
- 2 cups cooked rice 5.39 oz | 153 g
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 cup cream cheese or ricotta (8.8 oz | 250 g)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella 8.8 oz | 250 g
- Chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 395 F | 200 C. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with oil.
- Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Heat a large non-stick skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil on medium high heat. Sear for 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add oil and heat on medium. Saute onion, garlic and zucchini for 2 minutes. Bring beef back with rice, Italian seasoning and diced tomato. Bring to a simmer then add cream cheese. Stir all together.
- Transfer in the baking dish and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
- Enjoy.
