Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed zucchini boats are one of those dinners that feel cozy, filling, and a little lighter at the same time.

I love this recipe because the zucchini becomes tender, the beef filling tastes rich and saucy, and the melted mozzarella on top makes everything feel extra comforting.

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This recipe is made with zucchini, ground beef, marinara sauce, herbs, and mozzarella cheese.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love making these when I want something simple but still satisfying. The zucchini works like a little edible bowl, and the beef filling gives it that hearty dinner feel.

It is also a great way to use up extra zucchini, especially when you want something different from regular sautéed zucchini or zucchini noodles.

Ingredients

You will need:

1. 2 medium zucchini
   Try to use zucchini that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
2. 1 lb ground beef
   You can also use ground turkey or ground chicken.
3. ½ bell pepper, chopped
   This adds a little crunch and flavor.
4. ½ cup onion, finely chopped
5. 2 garlic cloves, minced
6. 2 teaspoons olive oil
7. 1 cup marinara sauce
8. 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
9. ½ teaspoon dried oregano
10. ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
11. ½ teaspoon dried thyme
12. ½ teaspoon salt
13. ¼ teaspoon black pepper
14. Cooking spray or a little oil for greasing
15. Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

How To Make Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray or a little oil so the zucchini does not stick while baking.

Step 2: Prepare The Zucchini

Wash the zucchini and cut each one in half lengthwise.

Using a spoon, gently scoop out the soft center to create a boat shape. Do not scoop too deep because the zucchini needs to hold the filling properly.

Place the zucchini halves in the prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Season The Zucchini

Sprinkle the zucchini boats with a little salt, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

This gives the zucchini itself some flavor before the filling goes in.

Step 4: Cook The Beef Filling

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.

Add the ground beef, chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook everything together until the beef is browned and the vegetables soften.

If there is extra grease in the pan, drain it.

Step 5: Add The Sauce

Stir in the marinara sauce.

Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens a little and the flavors come together.

Step 6: Fill The Zucchini Boats

Spoon the beef mixture into each zucchini boat.

Try to fill them generously, but do not overfill so much that the filling spills everywhere while baking.

Step 7: Add Cheese

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each stuffed zucchini boat.

The cheese melts beautifully and gives the recipe that cozy baked dinner look.

Step 8: Bake

Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.

The zucchini should be soft, but not completely mushy.

Step 9: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top before serving.

Serve warm on its own, or pair it with a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or garlic bread if you are not keeping it low-carb.

Tips For Best Results

Do not scoop out too much zucchini flesh, or the boats may become too thin and weak.

Use zucchini that are medium-sized, not too tiny and not too huge.

If you like a little heat, add red pepper flakes to the beef filling.

You can swap mozzarella with parmesan, cheddar, fontina, or any melty cheese you like.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To reheat, warm them in the oven or air fryer until heated through. I would avoid freezing the fully baked zucchini boats because zucchini can become watery after thawing.