Cheesy Beef and Zucchini Skillet

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

A hearty one-pan meal featuring ground beef, zucchini, and melted cheddar in a creamy sauce, ideal for weeknight dinners. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground beef, sliced zucchini, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz ground beef
• 2 cups, sliced zucchini
• 1/2 cup, finely chopped onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/2 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 12 oz ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups sliced zucchini and cook for 3 minutes until slightly softened. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Remove from heat and serve hot with extra cheese for garnish.