Description
Mexican-inspired cheesy zucchini boats bring robust flavors to your dinner table with minimal effort. Crisp zucchini shells cradle spicy ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh herbs for a satisfying meal packed with Mediterranean flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6–8 medium zucchini or 12 small zucchini
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
Liquid and Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini by cutting in half lengthwise and gently scooping out the inner flesh using a spoon. Dice the removed zucchini pulp and reserve. Arrange the zucchini boats on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 375F.
- In a skillet, sauté diced onions in olive oil until translucent, approximately 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles and cooking until completely browned, about 4-5 minutes. Incorporate marinara sauce, reserved zucchini pulp, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce for 8-10 minutes.
- Generously fill each zucchini boat with the seasoned meat mixture, ensuring even distribution. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of each boat.
- Transfer the stuffed zucchini to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden, melted, and slightly bubbling around the edges.
Notes
- Choose zucchinis that are firm and similar in size for even cooking and consistent presentation.
- Remove excess moisture from zucchini by salting the carved boats and letting them sit for 10 minutes before filling to prevent watery results.
- Customize the filling by substituting ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat alternatives for different dietary preferences.
- Enhance flavor depth by adding fresh herbs like chopped basil or parsley on top after baking for a bright, fresh finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg