Stuffed zucchini boats are packed with mouthwatering Italian flavors.
This recipe for zucchini boats features seasoned Italian sausage simmered in a rich tomato sauce with peppers and onions. It’s stuffed into zucchini and baked under two kinds of cheese.
You Will Love This Recipe For Zucchini Boats Because…
- There is so much flavor in the meaty savory filling.
- Garlic, onion, red pepper, and Italian seasoning make this sauce rich and flavorful.
- The tender zucchini is the perfect choice for holding the hearty sauce.
- The savory Italian flavors, the zucchini, and 2 kinds of melted cheese make a delicious combination.
Ingredients
Zucchini: Look for firm, deep green, and unblemished zucchini squash. No need to peel. This recipe calls for a 6-ounce zucchini (about 6” long).
Meat Filling: Ground Italian sausage is cooked with garlic and onion, tomatoes, and seasonings. For extra heat, use hot Italian sausage instead of mild.
Cheese: Don’t skimp on the cheese! For extra melty mozzarella and parmesan, grate them from blocks. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prohibit the best melt.
Seasoning: Make homemade Italian seasoning mix, or buy a jar, either way you’ll find so many ways to use this versatile blend.
Variations
- Swap out the sausage for ground beef or turkey, or omit the meat altogether and use chopped mushrooms and cauliflower rice instead.
- No time to prep the sauce? Use a low-carb, low (or sugar-free) marinara sauce instead, or make this chicken pasta sauce. Spice it up by stirring in a dash or two of sriracha or some red pepper flakes if desired.
- Experiment adding extra seasonings like easy garlic herb seasoning for extra flavor and zest.
How to Make Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Prepare and bake zucchini (recipe below).
- Brown sausage in a skillet with garlic and red pepper.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings.
- Fill zucchini boats with meat mixture, sprinkle with cheese, and bake.
Tips for Success
- Save the scooped-out zucchini flesh, remove the seeds, and add it to the sauce.
- If adding extra veggies to the sauce, cook them a bit to evaporate some of their moisture. This keeps the sauce and zucchini boats from getting too watery and soggy.
- Prep the zucchini boats and sauce in advance and assemble before baking–perfect for those busy weeknights.
Leftovers
Keep leftover zucchini boats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave with some fresh cheese. Freeze them on a baking sheet once cooled, and store them in a zippered freezer bag for up to 4 months.
Tasty Low Carb Zucchini Recipes
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Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini about 6 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- ¼ cup onion diced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ red pepper diced
- 14.5 ounces petite diced tomatoes drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scrape out the inside of the zucchini leaving a ½-inch shell.*
- Place zucchini in a large baking dish, cut-side up. Brush with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown Italian sausage and onion over medium-high heat. Drain any fat. Stir in the garlic and red pepper and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until softened.
- Stir in diced tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Taste, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill the baked zucchini with the sausage mixture. Top with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the zucchini is soft and the cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- *Save the scooped-out zucchini flesh, remove any large or tough seeds, and add it to the sauce.
- If adding extra veggies to the sauce, cook the sauce for extra time to evaporate some moisture. This keeps the sauce filling from getting too watery when baked.
- Prep the zucchini boats and sauce in advance and assemble before baking for easy weeknight cooking.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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What is the oven temperature for the zucchini boats?
I look forward to trying this recipe
Sue
Hi Sue, you will want to preheat your oven to 400°F. They are so yummy, hope you enjoy!