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Stuffed Zucchini Recipe

Stuffed Zucchini Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 19 reviews

A delicious and hearty stuffed zucchini recipe featuring zucchini boats filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or turkey, sautéed vegetables, rice or breadcrumbs, and Italian seasoning, topped with melted Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Perfect as a comforting main dish or a healthy family dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Zucchini Boats

  • 4 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Filling

  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1/2 cup cooked rice or breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Topping

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Zucchini Boats: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Carefully scoop out the insides of the zucchini halves to create hollow boats, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh around the skins. Chop the scooped-out flesh finely to use in the filling.
  2. Cook Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened and fragrant. Add the ground beef or turkey along with the chopped zucchini flesh, cooking until the meat is browned and cooked through.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomato, cooked rice or breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for a few more minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the mixture to heat through.
  4. Stuff Zucchini: Spoon the prepared filling into the hollowed zucchini boats, packing the mixture tightly to ensure they hold together during baking. Arrange the stuffed zucchinis in a baking dish.
  5. Add Cheese: Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheeses over the stuffed zucchini boats, covering the filling completely.
  6. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top.
  7. Serve: Remove from oven and let the stuffed zucchini cool for a few minutes. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving to add a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
  • Using cooked rice adds texture; alternatively, breadcrumbs help bind the filling.
  • Feel free to add herbs like parsley or basil to the filling for extra flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace meat with lentils or cooked mushrooms.
  • Adjust seasoning according to taste—add crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed zucchini, zucchini boats, ground beef stuffed zucchini, baked zucchini recipe, Italian stuffed vegetables, healthy dinner, low fat meal

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/stuffed-zucchini-recipe/