Amazing Stuffed Zucchini Boats: Your 30-Minute Dinner Savior Recipe
These Amazing Stuffed Zucchini Boats make for a quick and delicious 30-minute dinner. Hollowed-out zucchini filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or turkey, tomatoes, and herbs, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, create a comforting yet healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: 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
- 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 375°F (190°C). Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh using a spoon, creating hollow boats. Set aside the scooped zucchini flesh for the filling.
- Sauté Aromatics and Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, dried Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and the reserved zucchini flesh (chopped). Simmer the mixture for 5-7 minutes until thickened and flavors meld.
- Stuff the Zucchini Boats: Place the hollowed zucchini halves in a baking dish. Spoon the meat and tomato mixture evenly into each zucchini boat, pressing down slightly to fill completely.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the stuffed zucchini. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top for garnish. Serve warm as a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef according to preference.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add cooked lentils or chopped mushrooms to the filling.
- To save time, prepare the filling in advance and refrigerate until ready to stuff and bake.
- Serve with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: stuffed zucchini boats, zucchini recipe, quick dinner, ground beef recipe, healthy dinner, baked zucchini