Description
These Ground Beef Zucchini Boats are a delicious and healthy meal combining tender zucchinis filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, marinara sauce, and aromatic seasonings, all topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner, these boats are baked to bubbly perfection and optionally garnished with fresh basil for a fragrant finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Boats
- 4 medium zucchinis
Beef Filling
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Reserved flesh from zucchinis
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the zucchini boats later.
- Prepare Zucchinis: Wash the zucchinis thoroughly and trim off the ends. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise to create the boat shapes.
- Scoop Zucchini Flesh: Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the seeds and some of the flesh to create hollow boats without breaking the skin. Keep the scooped flesh aside for the filling.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion turns translucent and fragrant.
- Brown Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Stir in the reserved zucchini flesh, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes until well combined and heated through.
- Fill Zucchini Boats: Arrange the hollowed zucchini halves in a baking dish. Evenly spoon the beef mixture into each zucchini boat.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the filled boats.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to let the flavors meld and cook through.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, herbal note. Serve the zucchini boats warm.
Notes
- For a lower-carb option, use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- You can substitute marinara sauce with homemade tomato sauce for a fresher taste.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the ground beef and add cooked lentils or mushrooms instead.
- Be careful not to scoop too much zucchini flesh to prevent the boats from collapsing.
- If you prefer extra cheesy boats, add more mozzarella on top before baking.
