Description
Stuffed Cheese Zucchini Boats are delicious and nutritious, filled with ground beef or turkey, vegetables, and topped with melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
- 300 g (10 oz) ground beef or turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 200 g (7 oz) canned diced tomatoes, drained
- 100 g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 50 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
- Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the center flesh, creating a 1/2 cm thick shell. Reserve the scooped flesh and chop it finely.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Add the diced bell pepper and the reserved chopped zucchini flesh. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
- Add ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until it is completely browned and cooked through.
- Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and the drained diced tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Arrange the zucchini halves cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Evenly distribute the filling among the zucchini boats.
- Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the stuffed zucchini.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese topping is melted and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley, and serve warm.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the filling with other vegetables or spices according to your taste.
- This dish can be made in advance and reheated before serving.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with cooked quinoa or lentils.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed zucchini boat
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg