Baked Zucchini Rolls with Egg-Lemon Avgolemono Sauce
Tender zucchini slices rolled around a savory ground beef and herb filling, baked and served with a silky traditional Greek egg-lemon avgolemono sauce. This greek-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, small onion, finely chopped, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small finely chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 lb ground beef, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Step 3: Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, slice 3 medium zucchini lengthwise into thin 1/8-inch ribbons. Blanch zucchini slices in boiling salted water for 1 minute until pliable. Drain and pat dry.
- Step 4: Place about 2 tbsp of the beef filling at one end of each zucchini slice. Roll tightly and arrange rolls seam-side down in a baking dish.
- Step 5: Pour 2 cups chicken broth into the baking dish around the rolls. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Step 6: While baking, whisk 2 beaten eggs with 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice in a bowl. Slowly ladle about 1/2 cup hot broth from the baking dish into the egg-lemon mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
- Step 7: Remove baking dish from oven, discard foil, and slowly pour the tempered egg-lemon sauce back over the rolls. Return to oven uncovered for 5 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the rolls.
- Step 8: Serve warm with extra sauce spooned over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Zucchini Rolls with Egg-Lemon Avgolemono Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Zucchini Rolls with Egg-Lemon Avgolemono Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Zucchini Rolls with Egg-Lemon Avgolemono Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Zucchini Rolls with Egg-Lemon Avgolemono Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Zucchini Rolls with Egg-Lemon Avgolemono Sauce?
Greek beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
