Amazing Stuffed Zucchini Boats: Your 30-Minute Dinner Savior Recipe
These Amazing Stuffed Zucchini Boats offer a delicious and easy 30-minute dinner option. Tender zucchini halves are hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or turkey, tomatoes, and Italian seasonings, then topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Garnished with fresh parsley, this healthy and flavorful dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian American
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Boats
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping & Garnish
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the zucchini and slice each in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to carefully scoop out the centers, creating boats, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell. Set the scooped zucchini flesh aside for the filling.
- Sauté the filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes and seasoning: Stir in the reserved zucchini flesh, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, dried Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
- Stuff the zucchini boats: Arrange the hollowed zucchini halves in a baking dish. Spoon the meat and tomato filling evenly into each zucchini boat, packing it lightly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the tops.
- Bake the zucchini: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful stuffed zucchini boats!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or keep it vegetarian by using cooked lentils or mushrooms instead of meat.
- If you prefer a spicier filling, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the sauté step.
- To save time, prepare the filling ahead and store it in the refrigerator before baking.
- For a crispier texture, broil the stuffed zucchini for 2-3 minutes at the end but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- These zucchini boats pair wonderfully with a side salad or garlic bread.