Print

Print Recipe

Tender zucchini halves filled with a juicy, seasoned ground beef mixture and topped with melted cheese. A healthy, low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free main course that is easy to customize and ready in 35 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise and hollowed out to make boats
  • 1 pound ground beef (lean preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, or parmesan)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus extra for brushing zucchini
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers to create boats.
  3. Brush zucchini halves lightly with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake zucchini boats for 5–7 minutes to soften slightly.
  5. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  6. Sauté diced onion until translucent.
  7. Add minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
  9. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  10. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  11. Simmer the beef mixture for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
  12. Fill each pre-baked zucchini boat evenly with the beef mixture.
  13. Sprinkle shredded cheese over each filled boat.
  14. Bake filled zucchini boats for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  15. Serve topped with fresh herbs like basil or parsley and enjoy.

Notes

Pre-bake the zucchini to keep the boats tender but prevent mushiness., Drain excess fat and liquid from the beef mixture before stuffing to avoid watery filling., Use fresh garlic, onions, and herbs for best flavor., Mozzarella melts beautifully; cheddar adds a sharp taste — choose according to preference., These zucchini boats can be customized with various seasonings and cheeses to match different flavor profiles., Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container., Uncooked boats can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before baking., Reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mamapantry.com/30-min-ground-beef-zucchini-boats-healthy-delicious/