Low Carb Greek Herby Beef Stuffed zucchinis with a Creamy Lemon Sauce Recipe

Gluten Free
Lunch
Main Dishes
4.7/5
(1151 reviews)
Low Carb Greek Herby Beef Stuffed zucchinis with a Creamy Lemon Sauce
Zylo Recipes

Description

Imagine a dish that captures the essence of sun-drenched summers and cozy winter evenings alike. This delightful bake features tender summer vegetables mingling harmoniously with seasoned ground beef, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. The vibrant zest of lemon cuts through the richness, adding a refreshing tang that awakens the palate.

A generous scattering of fragrant herbs elevates the dish, infusing it with an irresistible aroma and a lightness that belies its heartiness. This recipe is all about simple ingredients working together to deliver maximum taste. While it requires a bit of hands-on preparation, the process is straightforward and rewarding.

Feel free to make it a day ahead of serving, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Ground beef forms the base, but you can easily adapt the recipe to your preferences. Ground pork, turkey, or a combination of meats would be equally delicious.

For a vegetarian variation, consider using finely chopped cauliflower combined with ground almonds and extra eggs to bind the mixture, creating a satisfying and flavorful alternative to the meat. For best results, use a Dutch oven or a covered casserole dish to trap the steam and moisture, ensuring that the vegetables and meat cook evenly and remain succulent. If you don't have a covered dish, simply tent the baking dish with aluminum foil.

Keeping the zucchini covered will help to create a more tender skin. The sauce, rich with savory flavors, is the heart of this dish. If you're pressed for time, you can prepare the sauce while the vegetables are baking, using water.

However, if you have a little extra time, reserve the flavorful juices released by the zucchini and meat during cooking and add them to the sauce. These flavorful juices intensify the sauce's complexity and richness, making it truly special. If the sauce seems too thin, allow it to simmer for a longer period, allowing it to reduce naturally and concentrate the flavors.

The result is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for any occasion, a flavorful celebration of simple ingredients and thoughtful preparation.

Preparation Time

Prep Time
40 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
1 h 15 min

Nutrition Information

Per 1 serving serving
C
Calories
500 Kcal

C
Carbs
15 g
Fi
Fiber
5 g
Sugar
5 g

P
Protein
45 g

C
Fats
35 g
Saturated Fats 15 g
Unsaturated Fats 18 g

Cholestrol 150 mg
Sodium 400 mg
Potassium 700 mg
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Ingredients

    1.
    Zucchini, raw
    Zucchini, raw
    6 medium
    2.
    Hamburger or ground beef, 90% lean
    Hamburger or ground beef, 90% lean
    14 oz
    3.
    Garlic
    Garlic
    1 clove
    4.
    Extra virgin olive oil
    Extra virgin olive oil
    3 tbsp
    5.
    Lemon Peel Or Zest Raw
    Lemon Peel Or Zest Raw
    1.5 tbsp
    6.
    Raw egg
    Raw egg
    1 large
    7.
    Dill weed, fresh
    Dill weed, fresh
    3 tbsp
    8.
    Spearmint, fresh
    Spearmint, fresh
    3 tbsp
    9.
    Parsley Fresh Or Raw Herb
    Parsley Fresh Or Raw Herb
    3 tbsp
    10.
    Salt, sea salt
    Salt, sea salt
    0.5 tsp
    11.
    Black pepper
    Black pepper
    0.13 tsp
    12.
    Boiling water
    Boiling water
    3 cup
    13.
    Unsalted butter
    Unsalted butter
    3 tbsp
    14.
    Organic Soft Cream Cheese (Full-Fat)
    Organic Soft Cream Cheese (Full-Fat)
    7 oz
    15.
    Lemon, fresh
    Lemon, fresh
    2 small - 1 7/8" diameter
    16.
    Raw egg, yolk
    Raw egg, yolk
    2 large
    17.
    Dietary Fiber Guar Gum
    Dietary Fiber Guar Gum
    1 tsp

Instructions

    1.
    Preheat the oven to 350F/180C. Cut the ends off the zucchinis and carefully core them with a vegetable/apple corer or sharp paring knife. Set the flesh aside in a large bowl as this will be used later in the stuffing.
    2.
    Mince the garlic and grate the zest from 1 unwaxed lemon. Finely chop the dill, mint and parsley. In a large bowl, add the ground beef, olive oil, egg, dill, mint, parsley, sea salt and a good grind black pepper. Use your hands to thoroughly combine.
    3.
    Roughly chop the zucchini flesh. Add this to the ground beef mixture. Again use your hands to gather all the ingredients together.
    4.
    Stuff each zucchini fully with the mince mixture. You can cut each zucchini in half before stuffing or after stuffing, whichever way is easiest for you. Place in an oven tray or ovenproof casserole. Any leftover mince can be used to stuff more zucchinis or other vegetables like bell peppers. You could also form any leftover mixture into patties and pan fry them, or roll into meatball size and cook with the zucchinis around the side of the tray.
    5.
    Drizzle olive oil over the top and pour the hot water at the base of the oven dish. Cover with the lid or aluminum foil and cook in the oven (or over the stove if using a Dutch oven) for 35 minutes until the zucchinis are tender. It is important the zucchinis have enough water to ‘poach ’, if there isn ’t enough water, the skins may dry and become tough. Covering the dish will also help create steam which will keep the zucchinis moist.
    6.
    To make the sauce, juice 2 lemons and set them aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cream cheese and lemon juice to the saucepan, and use a whisk to thoroughly combine into a smooth cream.
    7.
    Once the zucchinis have been poached, carefully remove 1.5 cups of this juice and add to the cream cheese mixture. Separate the eggs (and set the egg whites aside for another dish). Drop in the egg yolks to the cream mixture and whisk the sauce vigorously so they do not curdle. Add the guar gum to a small bowl and dilute with 3 tablespoons cold water to form a smooth paste. If it ’s too thick add more water. Add the guar gum paste to the cream sauce and keep whisking until the sauce thickens to desired consistency, about 10-15 minutes. Plate up and serve!