Description
Delightful Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats blend hearty flavors with garden-fresh ingredients. Mediterranean-inspired comfort embraces lean protein and wholesome vegetables, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (low-fat, if preferred)
Vegetables:
- 6–8 medium zucchini (or 12 small)
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Transform zucchini into vessels by halving them lengthwise and carefully hollowing out the interior, preserving the extracted flesh for later use.
- Prepare a robust cooking surface and warm olive oil, introducing finely diced onions to develop a golden, translucent foundation.
- Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the cooking environment before introducing ground beef.
- Sear the meat thoroughly, breaking it into delicate crumbles until no raw patches remain, ensuring complete culinary transformation.
- Integrate the reserved zucchini flesh, marinara sauce, and aromatic Italian seasoning, creating a harmonious flavor profile that simmers and melds together.
- Arrange the zucchini boats on a prepared baking surface, meticulously filling each cavity with the richly seasoned meat mixture.
- Generously crown each boat with a lavish layer of shredded cheese, promising a molten, golden finish.
- Transfer to a preheated oven, allowing the cheese to melt and the zucchini to become tender, typically requiring 15-20 minutes of transformative heat.
- Remove from the oven and let rest momentarily, garnishing with optional fresh herbs or additional cheese for visual and gustatory appeal.
- Serve immediately, presenting a vibrant, nutritious dish that marries robust flavors with elegant presentation.
Notes
- Customize zucchini thickness by scooping more or less flesh to create deeper or shallower boats for different portion sizes.
- Select firm, medium-sized zucchini with smooth skin to ensure optimal texture and easier filling.
- Drain excess beef fat after cooking to prevent soggy zucchini boats and maintain a crisp base.
- Experiment with alternative protein options like ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for dietary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg