Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef (Printable)
Tender zucchini boats loaded with seasoned beef, fresh herbs, and melted cheese for a satisfying low-carb dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium zucchinis
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium tomato, diced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
→ Meats
06 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Dairy
07 - 3 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
14 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F.
02 - Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp with a spoon, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. Chop the pulp and set aside.
03 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
04 - Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in the chopped zucchini pulp, diced tomato, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until everything is well combined and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove pan from heat. Stir in the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and fresh parsley.
07 - Arrange the zucchini halves in a baking dish. Fill each with the beef mixture, pressing down lightly to pack.
08 - Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops.
09 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Garnish with extra parsley and serve hot.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- It transforms simple zucchini into something that feels like comfort food without the heavy carb crash afterward
- The filling gets scooped out and mixed back in, so nothing goes to waste and every bite packs twice the zucchini flavor
02 -
- Scoop carefully but leave enough shell so the boats hold their shape during baking
- The zucchini releases water as it cooks, so don't panic if there's some liquid in the baking dish
03 -
- Use a melon baller or small cookie scoop to hollow out the zucchini quickly and evenly
- Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easier cleanup