Herb-Baked Ground Beef Loaf with Zucchini Noodles
A hearty baked ground beef loaf with fresh herbs, served over zucchini noodles for a low-carb, Whole30-compliant dinner. This american-inspired beef (low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs ground beef, fresh parsley, fresh basil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2, spiralized into noodles zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, combine ground beef, parsley, basil, minced garlic, dried oregano, sea salt, and black pepper; mix gently until just combined.
- Step 2: Press mixture into an 8x4-inch loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Step 3: While beef bakes, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add spiralized zucchini noodles and cook for 3 minutes until tender but still crisp, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Slice baked beef loaf and serve over zucchini noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Baked Ground Beef Loaf with Zucchini Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Herb-Baked Ground Beef Loaf with Zucchini Noodles?
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 Herb-Baked Ground Beef Loaf with Zucchini Noodles?
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 Herb-Baked Ground Beef Loaf with Zucchini Noodles 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.
Is Herb-Baked Ground Beef Loaf with Zucchini Noodles low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This was a hit with the whole family! The zucchini noodles were a great low-carb swap.
- ★★★★★
Perfectly seasoned and moist. Made it for my picky kids and they loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Took a bit longer to cook than expected, but the flavors were spot on.
