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Cheesy Stuffed Zucchini Boats. A Low-Carb Favorite the Whole Family Will Love

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There’s something undeniably comforting about a cheesy, saucy, oven-baked dinner—and these stuffed zucchini boats are no exception. Packed with seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and topped with melty mozzarella, they hit all the marks for a hearty, flavorful meal that also happens to be low in carbs. They’re super easy to customize, and they bake up perfectly every time, making them a great weeknight dinner option.

stuffed zucchini boats

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Zucchini boats are a go-to for using up fresh summer zucchini, but they’re delicious year-round. You can pair them with a side salad, garlic bread, or even more veggies for a complete meal. If you’re into easy dinners like this one, check out my [Instant Pot Asian Lettuce Wraps], [Air Fryer Zucchini Chips], or [Chocolate Zucchini Cake] if you’re looking to use up more zucchini in a sweet way.

Whether you’re following a low-carb diet, want to sneak in more veggies, or just need a quick and satisfying dinner, this stuffed zucchini boat recipe is here to save the day. It’s a budget-friendly, family-approved dish that’s easy to prep and even easier to devour.

stuffed zucchini boats

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Quick & Easy: Just a few ingredients and minimal prep time.


Great for Meal Prep: Reheats beautifully for lunches or busy nights.


Versatile: Swap in sausage, ground turkey, or even make it vegetarian with lentils or beans.


Low-Carb & Gluten-Free: A great alternative to pasta dishes without sacrificing flavor.

stuffed zucchini boats

How to Make

Step 1: In a pan on the stove you will cook your ground beef with onions and garlic. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and all chopped up. You can season meat with salt and pepper to taste. 

stuffed zucchini boats

Step 2: Wash and prep your zucchini and then slice them in half lengthwise. Then core out the center of zucchini with a spoon. 

Step 3: once ground beef is fully cooked add your Italian seasoning and tomato sauce and mix well. 

Step 4: Spoon the meat mixture into the hollowed zucchini and top with shredded mozzarella. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees. 

Tips & Tricks

  • Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the zucchini centers—don’t go too thin so they hold up while baking.
  • If your zucchini are on the small side, use more to make extra boats!
  • Want extra flavor? Add a dash of crushed red pepper or top with Parmesan before baking.
  • Line your baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
  • Let the boats rest a few minutes before serving so the filling stays in place.
stuffed zucchini boats
stuffed zucchini boats long pin
stuffed zucchini boats

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Stuffed zucchini boats are the perfect way to use up fresh zucchini from the garden. I created a traditional zucchini where I stuffed with seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese.

Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 Medium Zucchini or 2 Large
  • 1 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 1 LB Ground Beef (or sausage, casings removed)
  • 1/2 Onion, chopped
  • 1 TBSP Garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 Cups Marina Sauce
  • 2 TBSP Italian Seasoning
  • 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. You can line your sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. Brown ground beef in a skillet, with the onions & garlic. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Carefully drain the excess oil.
  3. Add in 1 cup of marinara sauce & Italian seasoning. Let simmer fr 5 - 10 minutes.
  4. Cut each zucchini in 1/2 long ways. Scoop out the center meat with a spoon creating a nice pocket for the meat to sit in.
  5. Fill each center with meat mixture.
  6. Top each with remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce.
  7. Top each with shredded cheese.
  8. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

Notes

* To make in a NINJA FOODI OR DUO CRISP

Place stuffed zucchini boats into your crisper basket. Air Fry at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until zucchini is nice and tender and cheese is bubbly.

To make in an AIR FRYER

Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees. Air fry for 10 minutes or until zucchini is nice and tender and cheese is bubbly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 520Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 125mgSodium: 720mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 5gSugar: 10gProtein: 41g

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