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Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe
4.6 from 72 votes

Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe

Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats are halved zucchinis hollowed and filled with a seasoned ground beef mixture spiced with dried herbs and powders, then baked topped with cheese and olive oil. A tomato sauce made with zucchini pulp and herbs surrounds the boats, creating a balanced dish with tender vegetables, savory meat, and melted cheese.

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 zucchini boats
Calories: 359 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French, American

Ingredients

Stuffed Zucchini
  • 2 Medium zucchini *see Notes
  • ½ Pound ground beef
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 1 Teaspoon onion powder *see Notes
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon oregano see Notes, or marjoram or savory herb
  • 1 Teaspoon basil fresh or dried
  • ½ Teaspoon rosemary fresh or dried
  • ½ Cup cheese see Notes, shredded
Sauce *see Notes
  • 1 Cup tomato sauce *see Notes
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 1 Tablespoon oregano Fresh *see Notes for dry, or marjoram or savory herb
  • ½ Teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
Topping
  • ½ Cup cheese shredded
  • 2 Tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Prep Zucchini
    Cup of Yum
  1. Rinse and pat dry zucchini.
  2. Cut ends off zucchini and cut it into half.
  3. Arrange Zucchini halves in your baking dish. Cut the 4th one a bit short so that it fits there. Slice the remaining zucchini piece that didn't fit, it will be added to the sauce afterward.
  4. Hollow out zucchini. Collect fruit pulp.
  5. Spread zucchini pulp between 2 bowls. One is for the stuff, the other for the sauce. Add the sliced zucchini parts to the bowl for the sauce.
Prep Stuffing
  1. Add ground beef, seasoning, and cheese to one of the bowls with the zucchini.
  2. Combine ground meat stuffing.
Prep Sauce
  1. In the second bowl, add tomato sauce and seasoning to the zucchini pulp.
  2. Combine everything well.
Put it all together
  1. Preheat oven to 400 Fahrenheit/ 200 Celsius.
  2. Stuff zucchini with the meat filling.
  3. Spread the sauce around/between the zucchini.
  4. Top boats with cheese and sprinkle some olive oil over all that.
  5. Bake your zucchini boat at 400 Fahrenheit/ 200 Celsius for about 20 minutes or until golden on the top.
  6. Serve up hot.

Notes

  • Choose ground beef with 15-20% fat for juicier filling; mixing with pork adds flavor.
  • Fresh herbs may replace dried; use 1 tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried herbs.
  • The tomato sauce is optional but enhances moisture and taste around the boats.
  • Using dried garlic and onion powder cuts prep time but fresh versions can be substituted.
  • Select your favorite shredded cheese such as cheddar, mozzarella, or emmental for topping.

Nutrition Information

Calories 359kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 12g (60%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 62mg (21%) Sodium 1332mg (56%) Potassium 699mg (15%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 723IU (14%) Vitamin C 22mg (24%) Calcium 357mg (36%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 zucchini boats

Amount Per Serving

Calories 359

% Daily Value*

Calories 359kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 12g 60%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 1332mg 56%
Potassium 699mg 15%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 723IU 14%
Vitamin C 22mg 24%
Calcium 357mg 36%
Iron 3mg 17%

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