Easy Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Zucchini boats stuffed with seasoned ground beef, carrot, and tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella and Parmesan, then baked until tender. Ready in 30 minutes, with a full air fryer option included.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini cut in half lengthwise, flesh scooped out, leaving a shell about 1/4 inch thick
- Salt and pepper to season the zucchini
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 1 small carrot diced
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1 garlic clove pressed
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 oz ground beef or a mix of ground beef and pork
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp dried basil optional
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Chop the scooped zucchini flesh into small pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F for 5 minutes just before cooking.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan and cook the ground beef for 4 to 5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until no longer pink. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Add the onion, chopped zucchini flesh, carrot, and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until softened.
- Return the cooked meat to the pan. Add the tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, and stir to combine.
- Season the inside of the zucchini shells with salt and pepper and brush lightly with oil.
- Divide the filling between the 4 zucchini boats.
- Bake for 20 minutes, adding the cheese after the first 10 minutes. Serve warm.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Air fryer: Cook without the cheese at 400°F for 10 minutes. Add the cheese and cook 5 to 10 more minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the top is bubbly.
- Freezing: Freeze the filling only, for up to 1 month. Do not freeze assembled zucchini boats.
- Substitution: Yellow squash can be used in place of zucchini with no timing changes.
Nutrition
Calories: 231kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 556mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2916IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 202mg | Iron: 1mg
