Easy Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Rene Cleveland

1. Preheat the Oven:

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This will ensure it’s hot enough when you put your zucchini boats in!

2. Prepare the Zucchini:

Wash the zucchinis and carefully slice them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scoop out the seeds and some of the fleshy part to make a boat shape, leaving about 1/4 inch thick walls. Don’t forget to save the scooped-out flesh for later!

After scooping out the zucchini, lightly salt the insides and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This will draw out excess moisture and keep your boats from getting soggy.

3. Sauté the Filling:

In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it’s soft and translucent, around 3-4 minutes. Then, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds, releasing those lovely aromas!

4. Cook the Meat:

Add the ground beef (or turkey) to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, which should take about 5-7 minutes. If there’s any excess fat, be sure to drain it.

5. Add Zucchini Flesh:

Chop up the reserved zucchini flesh and add it to the skillet. Cook this mixture for another 2-3 minutes, allowing everything to soften and blend.

Be sure to cook out any excess liquid before filling the zucchini. This will keep your boats in good shape.

6. Mix in Sauce and Spices:

Now it’s time to stir in the marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let this simmer for about 5 minutes, so the flavors can meld together beautifully.

7. Stuff the Zucchini:

Take the meat mixture off the heat and spoon it evenly into each zucchini boat. Be generous with the filling—it’s the good stuff!

8. Top with Cheese:

Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each stuffed boat, covering them in cheesy goodness.

9. Bake the Zucchini Boats:

Place your stuffed zucchini boats in a baking dish or on a baking sheet. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10. Garnish and Serve:

Once baked, remove the boats from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. If you’d like, sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top before serving for a pop of color and flavor!