Description
A delicious recipe for Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats filled with ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes, drained
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat: Heat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the zucchini: Slice zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out the center with a spoon, leaving about ¼ inch of zucchini around the edges. Chop the scooped-out zucchini and set aside.
- Cook the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion. Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking up the beef, until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Add the filling: Stir in garlic and chopped zucchini. Cook for 2–3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 4–5 minutes.
- Add Parmesan: Remove from heat and stir in ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Stuff the boats: Arrange zucchini halves cut-side up in the baking dish. Spoon the beef mixture generously into each zucchini boat.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan over the tops.
- Bake: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 8–10 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with lentils or a meat alternative.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 28–30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed zucchini half
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg