Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef (Printable)
Tender zucchini halves filled with savory beef, tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese for a comforting weeknight main dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium zucchinis
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium tomato, diced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
→ Meats
06 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Dairy
07 - 3 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
14 - Salt and pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Slice zucchinis in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp with a spoon, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. Chop pulp and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 2-3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up with spoon, until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in chopped zucchini pulp, diced tomato, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook 4-5 minutes until combined and most liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and fresh parsley.
07 - Arrange zucchini halves in a baking dish. Fill each with beef mixture, pressing lightly to pack.
08 - Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over tops.
09 - Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
10 - Garnish with extra parsley and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The zucchini becomes incredibly tender while still holding its shape, creating the perfect edible vessel
- This recipe turns ordinary vegetables into something that feels like comfort food without being heavy
02 -
- Do not skip the step of chopping the zucchini pulp, it adds volume and moisture to the filling that you otherwise get from extra breadcrumbs
- Let the beef mixture cool slightly before filling the zucchini so it does not start cooking the vegetables before they go into the oven
03 -
- Use a small cookie scoop to fill the zucchini boats evenly and without making a mess
- If the cheese browns too quickly, tent the dish loosely with foil for the last few minutes