Description
Tender zucchini boats filled with savory ground beef, marinara, Parmesan, and breadcrumbs, topped with melted mozzarella and baked until tender.
Ingredients
4 medium zucchini
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound 90% lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
Scooped flesh from the zucchini, chopped
1½ cups marinara sauce, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅓ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly oil a baking dish.
2. Slice zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the centers, leaving about a ¼-inch border. Chop the removed flesh.
3. Arrange zucchini cut-side up and prebake for about 10 minutes.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onion and cook until browned and softened.
5. Add garlic and chopped zucchini flesh. Cook 2–3 minutes to reduce excess moisture.
6. Stir in 1 cup marinara, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs, and Parmesan. Cook until the mixture is moist but not watery.
7. Divide filling among the zucchini shells.
8. Spoon the remaining ½ cup marinara over the filling and top with mozzarella.
9. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the zucchini is fork-tender and the cheese is melted with light golden spots.
10. Confirm the ground-beef filling has reached at least 160°F before serving.
11. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Do not hollow the zucchini too thinly because thin shells can split during baking.
Cooking the chopped zucchini flesh before stuffing helps reduce excess moisture and keeps the filling from becoming watery.
Cooked leftovers can be refrigerated for 3–4 days.
Reheat leftovers to 165°F.
Cooked zucchini boats may be frozen, although the zucchini will become softer after thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed zucchini halves
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 735mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 105mg