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Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Name: Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 4 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise; 16 ounces (4 cups) sweet or hot ground Italian sausage; 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 small chopped onion; 1 (14.5 oz.) can Italian style diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese; 1/4 cup panko OR whole-grain bread crumbs; 2 teaspoons parsley; 2 pinches Himalayan pink salt; 2 pinches pepper

Stuffed zucchini boats with vegetables and cheese

These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are filled with a hearty sausage mixture, topped with cheese and baked to perfection.

This change-of-pace main dish is a tried-and-true favorite in our home. The great thing about this recipe is it allows you to feed your entire family (especially your kiddos) veggies, without any complaints. It’s an easy, low carb meal your entire family will enjoy. Even folks who aren’t fond of zucchini are guaranteed to love it!

What if the zucchini flesh is difficult to scoop out?

If the flesh is difficult to scoop out, microwave the zucchini halves until slightly softened.

Can I substitute the ground sausage with another meat?

The best part about this recipe is you can play with some of the ingredients to fit your taste. If you prefer a much leaner meat, try turkey or ground chicken. We’ve even tried a combination of sausage and turkey. You really can customize this recipe any way you’d like.

Can I make a vegetarian option?

Yes, just swap out the meat for beans, tofu or your favorite veggies.

Prep ahead

We’re always looking for ways to reduce time in the kitchen and simplify healthy eating, especially throughout the week.

While this meal is super simple to toss together, you can chop your onions and scoop out your zucchini on your food prep day or the night before. Another option is to prep the boats ahead, refrigerate overnight and bake the next day.

Food prep really helps to reduce stress, save time and simplify dinner on busy weeknights.

Can I freeze my Zucchini Boats?

Zucchini is plentiful during the summer, so it’s easy to pick them up when they’re really cheap and freeze them. These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are great to batch cook and freeze for future meals. Just make sure they’re frozen in an airtight container or a freezer bag so that you can seal the air out. If sealed properly, they stay good for up to two months.

Some ways to “reinvent” your leftover Zucchini Boats:

Pasta dish: Chop and mix leftovers with cooked pasta, bell peppers and sauce
Tossed in scrambled eggs or an omelet
Quesadilla style: Add leftovers to a tortilla. Top it with a small amount of cheese a second tortilla. Grill it and garnish with avocado for a great tasting lunch.

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Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Author: hello@thespotmediagroup.com
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 1x

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Description

This change-of-pace main dish is a tried-and-true favorite in our home. This recipe is a fun and different way to enjoy fresh zucchini. These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are filled with a hearty sausage mixture, topped with cheese and baked to perfection. The great thing about this recipe is it allows you to feed your entire family (especially your kiddos) veggies, without any complaints. It’s an easy, low carb meal everyone will enjoy. Even folks who aren’t fond of zucchini are guaranteed to love it!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and slice zucchini lengthwise and hollow them out with a spoon. If the flesh is difficult to scoop out, microwave the zucchini halves until slightly softened. Chop the zucchini you removed into small cubes and set aside. Place the zucchini skin in a 9×13 casserole dish.
In a pan over medium heat, add the olive oil and sausage. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until meat is partially cooked. Add the garlic, onion, tomatoes, chopped zucchini and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
In a medium bowl, add the parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs and parsley. Mix well.
Spoon the sausage mixture into the hollowed out zucchini boats and place the cheese mixture over top.
Place in the oven and bake until golden brown, approximately 20 minutes.

Notes

Gluten-free: Use gluten-free bread crumbs if necessary.

Paleo/ Vegan-friendly: Eliminate the cheese.

Always check for FfL-friendly ingredients.

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Category: Recipes
Method: Prep Now, Cook Later

Keywords: Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Zucchini Boats

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