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5.0 from 417 votes

Easy Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Tender zucchini boats are filled with a rich meat sauce, topped with cheese, and baked until bubbly.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 boats
Calories: 444 kcal
Course: Main Course , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 medium zucchini about 6 ounces each
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound lean ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 ½ cups pasta sauce or marinara, divided
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
Sauce
  1. Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet until no pink remains. Drain any fat. Stir in the bell pepper (and any extra zucchini bits if you'd like) and cook an additional 2-3 minutes or until it begins to soften.
  2. Stir in 1 cup pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt & pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
Zucchini
  1. Slice zucchini lengthwise and use a teaspoon to scrape out the center to create a ½-inch thick shell. Brush with olive oil and season the zucchini with salt & pepper to taste.
  2. Place the zucchini in a large baking dish. Fill each zucchini with the beef mixture. Top with the remaining ½ cup pasta sauce and place in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
  3. Top with the cheeses and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until the zucchini is soft and the cheese is bubbly.

Notes

  • You may need only two zucchini if the zucchini is large or 3 if they are smaller.
  • If you prefer softer zucchini or if using garden zucchini that are thicker or large, this recipe can be cooked longer before adding the cheese.
  • The core of the zucchini can be chopped and added to the sauce along with the red pepper or it can be added to soups or chilis if desired.
  • If adding the zucchini to the sauce, allow it to cook before adding the marinara sauce so the sauce is not watery.
  • Leftover meat sauce or chili can be used in place of the meat sauce in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Calories 444 (22%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 31g (48%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 102mg (34%) Sodium 582mg (24%) Potassium 898mg (26%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1595IU (32%) Vitamin C 62.1mg (69%) Calcium 204mg (20%) Iron 3.8mg (21%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6boats

Amount Per Serving

Calories 444

% Daily Value*

Calories 444 22%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 31g 48%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 102mg 34%
Sodium 582mg 24%
Potassium 898mg 19%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1595IU 32%
Vitamin C 62.1mg 69%
Calcium 204mg 20%
Iron 3.8mg 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.