on Mar 04, 2023, Updated Aug 17, 2024
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Zucchini Boats
These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a great dinner idea when you’re stuck in a rut. They are so filling and satisfying, full of wholesome ingredients that will keep you fuelled. The 🧀 cheesy topping is out of the world and absolutely irresistable. The filling for these zucchini boats is savory and flavorful, and adaptable to whatever ground meat you prefer or have on hand. The zucchini is ♨️ baked perfectly to tender-crisp so it still holds it shape and the delicious filling. This is a great 🍽️ meal idea to keep things interesting but it still comes together really quickly and easily.
How to Prepare
🌡️Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). 🔪 Use a sharp knife to cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Then take a spoon and scoop out the inside of the zucchini carefully, so that you have enough room to add in the filling. Then set aside. 🧄 Now, finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. 🥑 Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. 🥩 Add the ground meat and cook, stirring and breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the water has evaporated and the meat begins to brown, about 10 minutes. 🧅 Reduce the heat to medium-low, add the onions and stir. 🧂 Then add the salt, paprika, oregano, and garlic and stir. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the tomato sauce and stir. Last but not least, add the water and let it evaporate and thicken completely as you stir. 🥄 When you can easily run a wooden spoon through the meat without leaving any liquid behind, it’s ready to take off the heat. 🍅 In a baking dish large enough to fit all of the boats, add marinara sauce to the bottom.Take a zucchini boat, fill it with meat, and place it in the baking dish on top of the marinara. Repeat until all the meat is used. 🧀 Now, top each zucchini with your favorite melty cheese. ⏲️ Bake until golden, about 45 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they bake to make sure they do not burn. The zucchini boats should still have a bite to them when cut. Enjoy!
Variations and Substitutions for Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Best Served With
These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a great main dish, served with a side 🥗 salad, like my Green Goddess Salad, Simple Green Salad, or Lemon Parmesan Salad. Serve these with a beautiful loaf of 🥖 bread, like my No Knead Garlic Bread or No Knead Peasant Bread.
Common Questions
