Beef Tenderloin Mushroom Zucchini Boats (Print Version)
Savory zucchini vessels loaded with tender beef, earthy mushrooms, herbs, and golden melted cheese for an impressive dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 10.5 oz beef tenderloin, finely diced
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 medium zucchinis
03 - 7 oz cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
04 - 1 small onion, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
→ Dairy & Cheese
07 - 3.5 oz shredded mozzarella or Gruyère cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
→ Pantry
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon butter
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Wash zucchinis and halve lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out flesh leaving a ⅓ inch border to form boats. Reserve half the scooped flesh, chop it, and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
04 - Add diced beef tenderloin to skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until just browned.
05 - Stir in chopped mushrooms and reserved zucchini flesh. Cook until mixture is dry and mushrooms are golden, about 5-7 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat. Add parsley and half of the mozzarella or Gruyère cheese. Stir to combine thoroughly.
07 - Place zucchini halves on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
08 - Fill each zucchini boat generously with beef and mushroom mixture. Top with remaining mozzarella or Gruyère and sprinkle with Parmesan.
09 - Bake for 20 minutes, or until zucchini is tender and cheese is golden brown.
10 - Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with extra fresh parsley if desired.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet before baking, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
- The tender beef paired with earthy mushrooms feels luxurious but comes together in under an hour
02 -
- Overcooking the beef filling makes it tough, so remove it from heat while still slightly pink
- Watery zucchini creates soggy boats, so never skip the step of cooking the filling until dry
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients cook more evenly, so take the meat out about 20 minutes before starting
- Use a sharp knife for dicing the tenderloin to avoid shredding the delicate meat fibers