Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe

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Stuffed Zucchini Boats are great any time. Hollow out zucchini and fill them with tasty meat sauce. Usually, this sauce is made with beef or Italian sausage. Add mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top. Then, bake until it’s golden and bubbly.

This recipe is flexible. You can use yellow summer squash, bell peppers, or portobello mushrooms instead. To add more veggies, mix in fresh tomatoes, kidney beans, and corn. A dash of red pepper flakes brings your own touch. Also, try using leftover meat sauce or chili to make it quicker.

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

To make great Stuffed Zucchini Boats, gather these Stuffed Zucchini Ingredients. You’ll need:

• 4 medium-sized zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 1/2 cups marinara or pasta sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Change your Stuffed Zucchini Boats to fit many Healthy Filling Options. For a lighter meal, swap ground beef with turkey or chicken. If you don’t eat meat, use vegetables like mushrooms and spinach.

For a twist in taste, try cheeses like Fontina or provolone. These Zucchini Boat Substitutes keep your meal tasty and healthful.

“Substitute hearty vegetables and alternative cheeses to maintain nutritional balance and flavor diversity in your zucchini boats.”

Instructions

To make stuffed zucchini boats, first preheat your oven to 375°F. Next, start your meat sauce. Heat up some olive oil in a skillet. Add onions and garlic. Cook them until they smell good. Then, add ground meat and cook it well.

Add diced bell peppers and marinara sauce to the meat. Let everything simmer. Now, let’s get the zucchini ready.

Slice the zucchini down the middle. Scoop out a bit inside to make space. Now, brush them with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Make sure they’re fully coated and seasoned well.

Put the meat sauce into the zucchini shells. Press it down a little. This helps it spread evenly. Place them on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes. This makes the zucchinis soft.

Next, add lots of shredded cheese. Put them back in the oven. Bake for 10-15 more minutes. The cheese should be melted and bubbly. Let the zucchini boats cool a bit before eating. You’ll get about 6 servings. They’ll have tender zucchinis with a cheesy taste.

Feel free to tweak the recipe. You can change the baking time for softer zucchinis. Or mix the zucchini scraps back into the sauce. This reduces waste.