Ingredients
Vegetables
- 6-8 medium zucchini, or 12 small
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the zucchini boats later.
- Prepare Zucchini: Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise and use a spoon to carefully carve out the inner flesh, creating hollow boats. Chop the scooped-out zucchini ‘meat’ and set it aside for the filling.
- Cook Onion and Garlic: Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it starts to turn golden. Add minced garlic and cook for a few seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is no longer pink, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make Filling: Stir in the marinara sauce, chopped zucchini flesh, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 8-10 minutes so the flavors blend and the filling thickens slightly.
- Assemble Zucchini Boats: Place the hollowed zucchini halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each zucchini boat.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle a drizzle of shredded low-fat cheddar or mozzarella cheese over the stuffed zucchini. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Feel free to add chopped bell peppers or mushrooms into the filling for extra veggies.
- Use a low-sodium marinara sauce to reduce salt content.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make it vegetarian, replace the meat with cooked lentils or plant-based ground meat alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat