Ground Beef Zucchini Boats
These Ground Beef Zucchini Boats are a delicious and healthy dinner idea packed with savory ground beef, marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese—all baked inside tender zucchini. Perfect for meal prep, quick weeknight dinners, and low-carb diets.
Ingredients
Zucchini Boats
- 4 medium zucchini
- olive oil for brushing
- salt and pepper to taste
Ground Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 or 90/10 recommended
- 1/2 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs for crunch
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Cheesy Topping
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wash zucchini, trim ends, and slice each in half lengthwise.
- Scoop out the center flesh with a spoon to create a 1/4-inch shell. Set aside the scooped-out flesh and chop it finely.
- Arrange zucchini halves in a baking dish. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in chopped zucchini flesh, marinara sauce, Panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Season filling with salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon the beef mixture into each zucchini half, filling them generously.
- Top each boat with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and garnish with chopped parsley or basil if desired. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
For softer zucchini, pre-bake the shells for 10 minutes before adding filling. Try swapping beef for turkey, sausage, or adding chopped veggies to the filling. Omit breadcrumbs for a low-carb version. Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.