Cheesy, hearty, and loaded with fresh zucchini, this Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole is your new weeknight dinner hero. Whether you’re juggling work and kids or just want something wholesome without the fuss, this dish checks all the boxes. From sizzling ground beef to melty cheese topping, every bite feels like comfort. And the best part? It sneaks in veggies without anyone noticing.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A Cozy Family Favorite with Beef & Zucchini
A Recipe from My Busy Mom Kitchen
Hi there, and welcome to Frosty Recipes! I’m Emily Frost, a busy mom of two, passionate home cook, and the creator behind this cozy corner of the internet. One of the most beloved dishes in my kitchen is this Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole. It’s the kind of recipe I pull out when I need something quick, comforting, and guaranteed to be devoured by the whole family—picky eaters included.
This casserole was born from a chaotic Tuesday night, staring into my fridge at two zucchinis, a pound of ground beef, and that always-reliable bag of shredded cheddar. Instead of making the usual tacos or stir-fry, I layered everything into one pan, baked it under a blanket of cheese, and magic happened. It was bubbly, savory, and just the right amount of creamy from the sour cream folded in.
Since then, it’s become a go-to recipe I make when I need something simple but still want to feel like I’ve fed my family something hearty and home-cooked. If you’re anything like me—trying to squeeze dinner into already-packed evenings—this recipe will become your weeknight warrior too.
And the bonus? It’s naturally low in carbs and packed with flavor, making it perfect for anyone watching their sugar or grain intake. Just like our Zucchini Cottage Cheese Bake or Tex-Mex Chicken and Zucchini, it keeps things wholesome without sacrificing taste.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Casserole
This casserole hits that ideal balance between convenience and flavor. You only need one skillet and a baking dish. There’s no boiling, layering, or complicated prep. Just brown the beef, add the veggies, stir in the creamy elements, top it with cheese, and bake. Done.
It’s also a meal-prep dream. You can make it in advance, freeze it for later, or enjoy leftovers that taste even better the next day. Zucchini gives the dish moisture without being watery, and the mix of cheddar and mozzarella creates that irresistible, golden cheese pull on top. This dish is proof that simple doesn’t mean boring.
You’ll also love that this meal uses everyday pantry ingredients, so there’s no special shopping trip needed. And if you’re browsing for more comfort meals, don’t miss our Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups or Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce, both great veggie-loaded options.
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Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
This cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole is a comforting one-dish dinner with tender zucchini, savory ground beef, melty cheese, and a creamy touch of sour cream.
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
2 medium zucchinis, sliced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic for 2–3 minutes.
3. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
4. Stir in zucchini, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and mix in sour cream.
6. Transfer mixture to the baking dish and top with both cheeses.
7. Bake for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Substitute turkey or chicken for beef if desired.
Add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms for more vegetables.
Leftovers reheat well and make excellent meal prep options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Inside the Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters
One of the things I love most about this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole is how it makes the most of simple ingredients. You likely have most of these in your kitchen already. Let’s talk through what goes in and why it matters.
- Ground beef: The foundation of flavor. Choose lean ground beef (85/15) so it browns beautifully without too much grease. It adds protein, richness, and a satisfying base for the casserole.
- Zucchini: These tender slices lighten up the dish and bring a subtle sweetness. Zucchini absorbs all those savory flavors from the beef and tomatoes while holding their bite just enough.
- Onion & garlic: These aromatics build flavor from the first step. They enhance every other element in the dish and give it that homemade depth.
- Diced tomatoes: They bring acidity and balance out the richness of the cheese and beef. Make sure to drain them well to avoid a soggy bake.
- Cheddar & mozzarella: A cheesy combo that melts like a dream. Cheddar adds sharpness, while mozzarella brings the gooey, stretchy factor we all crave.
- Sour cream: This is the secret ingredient that makes the casserole creamy without needing a heavy sauce. It binds everything together beautifully.
- Italian seasoning & red pepper flakes: These seasonings add dimension. Italian herbs boost the tomato and beef combo, and the optional red pepper flakes give a little kick.
If you’re looking for other clever ways to use zucchini in a comfort-food format, try this Zucchini Noodle Chicken Alfredo or our Chinese Zucchini Noodles for an Asian-inspired twist.
Swaps, Add-ins, and Customizations
The base recipe is solid, but one of the joys of casseroles is how flexible they are. If you’re missing something or want to make it suit your preferences, here’s how to adjust your cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole without losing flavor.
- Meat alternatives: You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Even plant-based meat crumbles work well and still deliver that hearty feel.
- Add extra veggies: Bell peppers, mushrooms, or even corn can be mixed in. Just sauté them with the onions before adding the beef.
- Lower fat: Use light sour cream and reduced-fat cheese if you’re watching calories. You’ll still get that creamy richness.
- Spice it up: For bolder flavor, add chopped jalapeños or mix in a spoonful of chipotle in adobo to the beef while cooking.
- Go keto: This recipe is already low in carbs, but you can keep it fully keto by using full-fat dairy and skipping tomatoes if necessary.
If casseroles are your kind of dinner, you might also enjoy this Cottage Cheese Veggie Bake or the super cozy Summer Corn and Zucchini Chowder, both great for warm and filling meals with a vegetable-forward twist.
How to Make This Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
Simple Prep, Big Flavor: Step-by-Step Instructions
This cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole is as easy to make as it is delicious. With just a few steps and one skillet, you’ll have a cozy dinner ready in no time. Here’s how to bring it all together from fridge to fork.
Step 1: Prep your oven and dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray. This prevents sticking and helps the cheese brown evenly.
Step 2: Sauté the aromatics
In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in your diced onions and minced garlic. Stir for 2–3 minutes until the kitchen smells amazing and the onions are just starting to soften.
Step 3: Brown the beef
Add 1 pound of ground beef directly into the skillet. Break it up as it cooks, and stir frequently until it’s no longer pink—this takes about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess grease, but don’t rinse; you’ll want to keep that beefy flavor.
Step 4: Add the veggies and seasoning
Now add your sliced zucchinis, drained diced tomatoes, and season with Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 5–7 minutes until the zucchini begins to soften slightly but still holds its shape.
Step 5: Stir in sour cream
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in 1/2 cup sour cream. This gives the mixture a creamy base that melts perfectly with the cheese later.
If you enjoy warm casseroles like this, be sure to check out our Baked Caprese Cottage Cheese Casserole and Zucchini Garlic Bites for other veggie-forward, cheesy recipes that satisfy.
Baking It to Golden Perfection
Step 6: Assemble the casserole
Transfer the creamy beef and veggie mixture into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly so every bite gets a bit of everything.
Step 7: Top it with cheese
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheddar and 1/2 cup of mozzarella evenly over the top. Don’t skimp—this is what makes the casserole irresistibly cheesy and gooey.
Step 8: Bake
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
Step 9: Let it rest
Once out of the oven, let it sit for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps everything settle so the pieces hold together.
This cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole is perfect served on its own or paired with a crisp salad or garlic toast. If you’re in the mood for more low-effort dinners, you’ll love our Mexican Zucchini Boats for a bold, southwestern spin or the Cottage Cheese Mushroom Soup for something creamy and cozy on the side.
What People Want to Know About Cheesy Ground Beef and Zucchini Casserole
Why is it called a John Wayne casserole?
The name comes from the legendary actor John Wayne, who submitted a version of the dish for a charity cookbook. His version features ground beef, cheese, and Southwestern flavors—somewhat similar to this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole, but with biscuits or crescent rolls layered on the bottom.
What meat to serve with zucchini casserole?
This recipe already includes protein, but if you’re making a plain zucchini casserole, ground beef, chicken sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken work beautifully. In this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole, the ground beef brings both flavor and heartiness, making it a complete meal on its own.
Can I cook raw ground beef and vegetables together?
Yes, you can. Just be sure to sauté the meat first to get that deep, browned flavor. Once the beef is mostly cooked, add in the vegetables. That’s how it’s done in this cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole—building flavor step by step in one pan.
What’s in a John Wayne casserole?
Typically, it’s made with seasoned beef, bell peppers, onions, sour cream, cheese, and biscuit mix or dough. Our cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole keeps a similar creamy-cheesy structure but adds a veggie-forward spin by using zucchini instead of dough.
Final Thoughts: Comfort Food Made Simple
This cheesy ground beef and zucchini casserole is a real weeknight win—easy, satisfying, and packed with flavor. You get the comfort of ground beef and melty cheese, balanced with tender zucchini and a creamy tang from the sour cream.
If you’re craving more cozy dinners, don’t miss our Creamy Zucchini Pasta Sauce or Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups. Whether you’re serving kids, guests, or just want leftovers for lunch, this casserole belongs in your rotation.
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