Easy Cheesy Zucchini Boats
Let me share these amazing Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats with you. They're such a delicious way to use up those garden zucchini and trust me everyone loves them. The zucchini gets perfectly tender the beef filling is rich and savory and that melty cheese on top just makes everything incredible. It's one of those dishes that looks fancy but is actually super simple.
Why You'll Love These
This recipe is pure magic y'all. The flavors come together so beautifully and it's such a smart way to sneak in extra veggies. I love how versatile it is you can really make it your own. Plus that melted cheese on top gets all golden and bubbly it's absolutely irresistible.
What You Need
- Garden Fresh: Grab 2 big or 4 small zucchini yellow squash works too.
- The Filling: Ground beef makes it nice and hearty.
- Extra Flavor: Chopped onion adds such great taste.
- Saucy Base: Your favorite marinara sauce.
- Cheesy Top: Lots of mozzarella for that perfect melt.
- Extra Yum: Try adding veggies tomatoes or red pepper flakes.
Let's Start Cooking
- Prep Your Boats
- Heat your oven to 375°F cut those zucchini in half and scoop out the middle save those bits.
- Make The Filling
- Brown your beef and onions drain the fat then stir in marinara and those saved zucchini bits cook it down.
- Fill Them Up
- Put your boats in a baking dish load them up with that yummy meat sauce.
- Baking Time
- Cover and bake about 25 minutes add cheese on top then bake uncovered until bubbly.
- Ready to Serve
- Add some fresh herbs and serve them up hot.
Tips For Perfect Results
Want softer zucchini? Just bake them longer before adding cheese. Don't waste those scooped out bits add them to your filling. Cook any extra veggies before adding sauce to keep things from getting watery. Leftover chili makes an amazing quick filling too.
Saving For Later
These keep beautifully in the fridge for about 3 days. Just warm them up in the oven at 350°F or pop them in the microwave. You can even freeze them for up to 3 months just thaw overnight when you're ready.
Mix It Up
Try using Italian sausage or turkey instead of beef. Bell peppers or portobellos make great boats too. Want to go vegetarian? Skip the meat and load up on beans quinoa or lentils with lots of veggies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use different meat for the filling?
Yes! Ground turkey, Italian sausage, or a mix work great. You can even use plant-based ground meat alternatives.
- What can I do with the scooped out zucchini?
Add it to the meat sauce for extra vegetables, or save it for soups and stir-fries. Just cook out excess moisture first.
- How do I prevent watery zucchini boats?
Brush with olive oil before filling and don't overcook. If using garden zucchini, you might want to salt them and let them drain first.
- Can I make these ahead?
Prepare and fill the boats up to 24 hours ahead, then bake when ready to serve. They also reheat well.
- Can I freeze these?
While possible, the texture of zucchini changes when frozen. Best to enjoy fresh or within a few days of refrigeration.