Zucchini Boats Ground Beef (Print Version)
Savory zucchini halves stuffed with a flavorful ground beef mix and topped with melted cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 medium zucchini
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Meats
04 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Pantry
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Herbs
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Dairy
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Optional
14 - Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out flesh, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. Reserve scooped flesh and chop it.
03 - Place zucchini halves cut-side up in baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper.
04 - Heat remaining olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
05 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
06 - Stir in chopped zucchini flesh, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5-7 minutes until mixture thickens.
07 - Spoon beef mixture evenly into zucchini boats. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
08 - Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
09 - Remove foil and bake additional 8-10 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
10 - Garnish with fresh parsley or basil before serving.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- This is the kind of comfort food that happens to be low carb and gluten free without feeling like a diet meal at all
- The whole family gets excited about eating their vegetables when theyre stuffed with cheese and savory beef
02 -
- I learned the hard way that you really need to drain the diced tomatoes well or the filling gets too soggy
- Don't throw away that scooped out zucchini flesh, it adds body and texture to the filling while reducing waste
03 -
- Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out the zucchini flesh without damaging the shells
- Let the boats rest for 5 minutes after baking so the filling sets up slightly