Description
These Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a delicious and hearty low-carb meal featuring tender zucchini filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, onions, garlic, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Baked to perfection, they offer a comforting and nutritious dinner option that serves six.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1/2 cup white or yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Chopped zucchini flesh scooped from centers of zucchinis (from above)
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for serving (optional)
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
Seasonings and Others
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Zucchini: Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a baking dish with nonstick spray. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise, trim off the stems, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Chop the scooped-out flesh and set aside. Arrange the zucchini halves in the prepared baking dish.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook until no longer pink, approximately 5 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks to ensure even cooking.
- Simmer Filling: Stir in marinara sauce and the chopped zucchini flesh. Season with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
- Stuff Zucchini Boats: Spoon the beef and sauce mixture evenly into each zucchini half. Top each stuffed zucchini with grated mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and lightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef to make a leaner version.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes to the filling mixture.
- Leftover stuffed zucchini boats can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture or Parmesan for a sharper flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
