Stuffed Zucchini Boats

These Easy Stuffed Zucchini Boats with ground beef are not only easy to make, but they are also a nice low-carb dinner idea for summer. Baked Zucchini boats are also a great way to use up that zucchini crop that all seems to come in at once.

This recipe for ground beef zucchini boats, as ground beef is marinated in a tomato-based sauce, and topped with cheese. It’s a great way to use leftover spaghetti sauce too!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Hello Friends! I am sitting here waiting for the cloud cover to dissipate. Some summer mornings we get clouds off the coast and it takes a while for the sun to come out. It’s times like these when I love to write my recipes. 

I made these Zucchini Boats a few days ago and wanted to share it with you today. If you are looking for looking for a tasty meal to put together quickly, this recipe fits the bill.

I have been trying to make a few healthy meals here and there and what I love about this recipe, is that it is full of vitamins and does not contain a lot of carbs. These baked zucchini boats are a delicious and flavorful low-carb meal!

It’s a great way to celebrate zucchini season!

What I also love about this Zucchini Boat recipe is that it does not take a lot of time. Ready in about 30 minutes so you don’t need a ton of prep time. 

Ingredients for Zucchini Boats

Zucchini – This recipe is for a traditional sized fresh zucchini that you would find at most grocery stores or farmers markets. If you are using homegrown, the squash may be larger and require more cooking time. You can also trim giant zucchini if needed.

Tomato Sauce – This recipe uses a quick tomato-based homemade sauce. You can use a bottled sauce instead if you wish. 

Cheese – I use whatever cheese I have on hand – Cheddar and Mozzarella or a Mozerella and Parmesan blend all work well.

Lean Ground Beef – at least an 80/20.

Olive oil, spices Salt, black pepper 

Equipment

• small scoop or melon baller
• large skillet
• baking dish or cookie sheet

How to make stuffed zucchini boats

The full recipe follows, but here is a quick overview of the steps.

1. Spoon out zucchini pulp.
2. Chop up zucchini that you removed.
3. Ground beef in a pan with chopped zucchini.
4. Add tomato sauce and tomatoes.
5. Spoon meat mixture into zucchini halves (“boats”).
6. Add cheese and bake. 

Don’t forget to pin this recipe.

• You can use meat sauce in place of the ground beef mixture. Just top zucchini boats with meat sauce and cheese and bake according to the recipe. 
• You can prepare the filling ahead of time in a mixing bowl the day before. Just store in the refrigerator.
• You can freeze zucchini boats in a freezer-safe sealed container for a quicker meal the following week.
• Store leftovers in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• You can use pre-shredded cheese for this recipe. 

Substitutions & Variations

• Italian Seasoning – can sub for the basil and oregano.
• Pizza Sauce – You can use a jarred pizza sauce for Pizza-flavored Zucchini boats
• Ground Turkey – may sub for ground beef. as can Italian sausage.
• Mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese

More Easy Zucchini Recipe Ideas

• Easy Baked Zucchini Casserole is one I have been making for years. Made with fresh zucchini and ground beef with just enough spice to make a wonderful dinner idea.
• Corn Tomato and Zucchini Salad is not only super easy to make, but it is also inexpensive to make and good for you too!
• This easy Classic Zucchini Bread is moist and buttery and full of summer goodness.
• Zucchini and Squash Casserole – A delicious and colorful side dish. 

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Raquel Pineira

These Easy Stuffed Zucchini Boats are not only easy to make, but they are also a nice low-carb dinner idea for summer.

4.84 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Easy Dinner Ideas

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 201 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 zucchini
• 1/2 onion chopped
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1/2 lb. ground beef
• 1 small tomato chopped
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400° F.
• Grease a 13" x 9 " baking pan.
• Cut zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out zucchini, leaving about 1/2 " of skin. Chop up the scooped zucchini and set aside. Place scooped "boats" into a baking pan.
• In a skillet over medium heat, heat onions, and ground beef until beef is browned.
• Drain ground meat and add tomato sauce, chopped tomato, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
• To the skillet, add chopped zucchini.
• Cook items in skillet 4-5 minutes.
• Spoon cooked ground beef mixture into the "boats"
• Top meat flilling with cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes.

Notes

For best results, use medium zucchini. Large zucchini may be cut in half twice.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 13gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 552mgPotassium: 506mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 571IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 167mgIron: 2mg

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