Beef & Courgette Bake
This beef and courgette bake brings together juicy minced beef, fresh courgettes and fragrant herbs under a golden layer of tomatoes and mozzarella. A creamy egg and cream mixture binds it all into a hearty bake that's perfect for lunch or dinner. Since it prepares beautifully ahead and reheats without any fuss, it's a great choice for busy weeknights too. As a bonus, it's low in carbs and packed with protein.
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 1 tbsp oil
- 600 g minced beef and pork, or all beef, if you prefer
- 400 g courgettes
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 eggs
- 150 ml double cream
- 0.5 bunch fresh basil
- butter, for greasing the dish
- 400 g tomatoes
- 125 g mozzarella
The ingredient amounts above scale with your choice. The value per serving stays the same, while the total in the pot grows with the number of servings.
All nutrition values side by side
| Nutrient | per serving (estimate) | Total for 5 Servings |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 470 kcal | 2,350 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g | 30 g |
| Protein | 28 g | 140 g |
| Fat | 37 g | 185 g |
| Fibre | 1.5 g | 7.5 g |
| of which sugar | 4 g | 20 g |
How this is calculated
Target amount = ingredient amount × target servings ÷ base servings. The result is then rounded for kitchen use: from 100 g or ml to the nearest 5, between 1 and 99 to the nearest 1, pieces and spoons to half units, amounts below one unit to quarters, thirds or halves. Teaspoons and tablespoons also go down to an eighth, kilograms and litres stay finer.
Total = value per serving × target servings. The value per serving is unchanged, because ingredient amount and serving count change by the same factor.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC), Art. 32 and 33: nutrition values per 100 g or 100 ml, additionally allowed per portion.
- European Commission, Guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU food law, setting of tolerances for nutrient values declared on a label, December 2012.
Nutrition values are estimates from the recipe record, not laboratory results. Even for checked labels the EU sets tolerances: for fat, protein and carbohydrates 20 percent in the range of 10 to 40 g per 100 g, and 2 g per 100 g below that. Home cooking varies more, because variety, size and cooking loss of the ingredients differ. Kitchen rounding also shifts the total slightly against the plain rule of three. Anyone who has to keep amounts exact for medical reasons, for example during a nutrition therapy prescribed by a doctor, should discuss them with a doctor or a registered dietitian. Your serving count is calculated in your browser only, it is neither stored nor transmitted.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C (fan 160C) and lightly grease a baking dish with butter.
- Finely dice the onion and gently soften it in a frying pan with the oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced meat and brown it well.
- Meanwhile, wash and coarsely grate the courgettes. Add the courgettes, tomato purée and thyme to the meat and onion mixture, and cook everything together for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream and chopped basil until well combined.
- Spread the meat mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish and pour over the egg and cream mixture.
- Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella, then arrange them alternately over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, until golden and bubbling. This bake prepares well ahead and reheats easily in the oven.
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Nutrition facts per serving (estimate)
| Calories | 470 kcal |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Protein | 28 g |
| Fat | 37 g |
| Fibre | 1.5 g |
| of which sugar | 4 g |
Frequently asked questions
Can I make this beef and courgette bake ahead of time?
Yes, you can easily prepare it in advance and reheat it in the oven later.
Is this bake gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe contains no gluten-based ingredients, so it's naturally gluten-free.
What temperature do I bake it at?
Bake at 180C (fan 160C) for about 30 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
How many carbs are in each portion?
Each portion has roughly 6g of carbs, making it a great low-carb option. Nutrition values are estimates.
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