Italian Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet Bake
Savory seasoned lean ground beef simmered in tomato sauce with tender zucchini slices and Italian herbs, finished with melted mozzarella. A comforting, family-friendly skillet dinner designed for quick weeknight prep.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
Makes
5 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Julia + Lila
Julia created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthComfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Total
35 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheats wonderfully for easy weekday lunches.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 10 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
- 01
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch…
Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stove.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add the ground beef and cook for…
Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until browned with no pink remaining.
Look for: browned with no pink remaining
Tap card to mark done - 04
Drain any excess grease from the skillet…
Drain any excess grease from the skillet if needed, then return the pan to medium heat.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Sprinkle garlic salt
Sprinkle garlic salt, dried oregano, and black pepper evenly over the meat, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
Look for: fragrant
Tap card to mark done - 06
Add the sliced zucchini and tomato sauce…
Add the sliced zucchini and tomato sauce to the skillet, stirring gently until everything is evenly coated.
Look for: everything is evenly coated
Tap card to mark done - 07
Bring the mixture to a simmer
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until the zucchini begins to soften slightly.
Look for: the zucchini begins to soften slightly
Tap card to mark done - 08
Scatter the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over…
Scatter the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 09
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven…
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden at the edges.
Look for: the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden at the edges
Tap card to mark done - 10
Remove carefully from the oven using oven…
Remove carefully from the oven using oven mitts, let rest for 3 to 5 minutes, and serve warm.
Allow: 3 to 5 minutes
Tap card to mark done
Made this recipe?
Leave a quick rating or a cooking tip for the next woman.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.
Free to download