For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ground beef mixture. If you don't have fresh basil, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of dried basil in the meat mixture. Experiment with different cheeses! Provolone or Parmesan would also be delicious. To prevent the zucchini from becoming too watery, you can salt the scooped-out zucchini halves and let them sit for 30 minutes before baking. Pat them dry with paper towels before drizzling with olive oil.
Italian-Style Zucchini Boats
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PREP TIME10 mins
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COOK TIME35 mins
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TOTAL TIME45 mins
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SERVING4 People
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VIEWS9
Embark on a culinary journey to Italy with these delightful zucchini boats! Each tender zucchini vessel is brimming with a savory, herbed ground beef filling and topped with a generous blanket of melted mozzarella. A comforting and flavorful dish perfect for showcasing summer's bounty.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate25 g
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Cholesterol158 mg
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Fiber7 g
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Protein52 g
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Saturated Fat15 g
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Sodium2555 mg
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Sugar11 g
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Fat35 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
5 mins
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
02
Step
2 mins
Drizzle olive oil on zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
03
Step
40 mins
Bake in the preheated oven until zucchini is fork-tender, 30 to 45 minutes.
04
Step
6 mins
While zucchini is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef with onion and garlic until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic salt.
05
Step
4 mins
Combine tomato paste with water in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly. Drain fat from beef mixture if needed. Add tomato paste mixture and heat through. Turn off heat, add fresh basil leaves, and mix until well blended.
06
Step
5 mins
Remove zucchini from the oven; leave the oven on. Scoop meat mixture generously into each zucchini quarter and sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
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RECIPE REVIEWS
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Neil Labadie
Jul 1, 2025Easy to follow instructions and a great meal!
Luna Durgan
Jun 29, 2025I tried it with ground turkey and it was still yummy.
Lorena Stokes
Jun 26, 2025I used Italian sausage instead of ground beef, and it was fantastic!
Omari Harberjacobi
Jun 26, 2025I added some diced bell peppers to the meat mixture for extra veggies. It was delicious!
Charlotte Schuster
Jun 26, 2025I've made this recipe several times now, and it's always a crowd-pleaser. Thank you for sharing!
Viviane Terry
Jun 25, 2025I made this last night and it was amazing! The flavor was spot on. I will definitely be making this again.
Janelle Tillman
Jun 25, 2025This recipe was a hit! My kids loved it, and it was a great way to use up the zucchini from my garden.