Ground Beef Zucchini Boats Recipe
Tender zucchini halves stuffed with seasoned ground beef, vegetables, and melted cheese, then baked to perfection. These Ground Beef Zucchini Boats are a healthy, flavorful, and easy dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 lb ground beef lean preferred
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers with a spoon, leaving a small border to hold the filling. Save the scooped flesh for the filling.
- Cook the filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until soft.
- Stir in garlic, then add ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon.
- Add chopped zucchini flesh, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
- Assemble the boats
- Place zucchini halves in a baking dish. Fill each with the beef mixture.
- Top with shredded mozzarella.
- Bake
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Use medium zucchini so they cook evenly without getting too soft.
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, add red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- Try topping with Parmesan or cheddar for a different flavor profile.