Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef (Print View)

Tender zucchini boats filled with savory beef, tomatoes, and melted cheese for a satisfying weeknight meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchinis
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium tomato, diced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped plus extra for garnish

→ Meats

06 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Dairy

07 - 3 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pantry

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
11 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
14 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F.
02 - Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp with a spoon, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. Chop the pulp and set aside.
03 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
04 - Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Stir in the chopped zucchini pulp, diced tomato, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until everything is well combined and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Remove pan from heat. Stir in the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and fresh parsley.
07 - Arrange the zucchini halves in a baking dish. Fill each with the beef mixture, pressing down lightly to pack.
08 - Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops.
09 - Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
11 - Garnish with extra parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one vessel, making cleanup almost nonexistent
  • The zucchini becomes incredibly tender while the filling stays hearty and satisfying
02 -
  • If your zucchinis are particularly large, you might need to extend the covered baking time by 5-10 minutes
  • The filling can be made a day ahead and refrigerated, but stuff the boats just before baking
03 -
  • Choose zucchinis that are roughly the same diameter so they cook evenly
  • Use a small ice cream scoop to fill the boats quickly and neatly

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