Cheesy Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Transform your garden's bounty with these delicious Cheesy Stuffed Zucchini Boats! Perfect for utilizing an abundant zucchini harvest, this dish features hearty ground beef combined with savory spices, tomatoes, and a touch of red wine, all nestled within tender zucchini halves. Topped with melty Monterey Jack cheese, these boats make for a tantalizing main course that is sure to impress family and friends alike. Feel free to customize the stuffing to suit your tastes, and don't hesitate to swap in yellow squash when zucchini isn't available.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
zucchini
6 (medium, halved lengthwise and seeds scooped out)
lean ground beef
1 lb (browned)
onion
1 (medium, chopped)
garlic
2 cloves (minced)
diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can (with juice)
dry red wine
1/4 cup (none)
tomato paste
1 tablespoon (none)
salt
1 teaspoon (none)
herbes de provence
1 tablespoon (none)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Monterey Jack cheese
2 cups (shredded)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Thoroughly wash the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise.
3
Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the seeds from the zucchini halves, leaving about a 1/4 inch thick shell to hold the filling.
4
In a large frying pan over medium heat, brown the lean ground beef until it's no longer pink.
5
Drain any excess fat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
6
Stir in the can of diced tomatoes (including the juice), dry red wine, tomato paste, salt, herbes de provence, and pepper. Mix well.
7
Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
8
Arrange the prepared zucchini boats in a shallow, oiled baking dish, and generously fill each one with the meat mixture.
9
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
10
Remove from the oven, sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese on top of the stuffed zucchini, and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
11
Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
18.75g
Fat
6.25g
Carbs
25g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheesy Stuffed Zucchini Boats?
They are a main dish consisting of zucchini halves hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, onions, garlic, and tomatoes, then topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese.
Can I use yellow squash instead of zucchini?
Yes, you can easily swap in yellow squash if zucchini is not available.
How many zucchinis do I need for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 medium zucchinis.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
How do I prepare the zucchini for stuffing?
Wash them thoroughly, slice them in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon, leaving about a 1/4 inch thick shell.
What kind of meat is used in the filling?
This recipe uses 1 lb of lean ground beef.
Do I need to cook the meat before stuffing the zucchini?
Yes, you should brown the ground beef in a frying pan until it is no longer pink before adding other ingredients.
Should I drain the fat from the beef?
Yes, the instructions recommend draining any excess fat after browning the meat.
How long do I sauté the onion and garlic?
Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
What liquid ingredients are added to the meat mixture?
The recipe includes a 15 oz can of diced tomatoes with juice and 1/4 cup of dry red wine.
Which spices and herbs are used for seasoning?
The filling is seasoned with salt, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of herbes de provence.
How long should the meat mixture simmer?
Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for approximately 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
How long do the boats bake before adding cheese?
Bake the filled zucchini boats for 25 minutes in the preheated oven.
What kind of cheese is recommended for the topping?
The recipe suggests using 2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
How long do they bake after adding the cheese?
Return them to the oven for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving provides 25g of protein.
How much fat is in this recipe?
Each serving contains about 18.75g of fat.
How many grams of carbohydrates are in a serving?
The dish contains 6.25g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a great way to use garden vegetables.
Do I need to peel the zucchini?
No, you should leave the skin on to provide structure for the 'boat' shape.
Can I omit the red wine?
While it adds flavor, you can omit it or replace it with beef broth if desired.
What should I do with the diced tomatoes?
Stir in the entire can, including the juice, into the meat mixture.
What type of baking dish should I use?
A shallow, oiled baking dish is recommended.
Can I customize the stuffing?
Yes, you can customize the stuffing to suit your tastes by swapping proteins or adding other vegetables.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 2 minced cloves of garlic.
Is there tomato paste in this recipe?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste is used to help thicken the sauce.
Should the sauce be simmered covered or uncovered?
The sauce should be simmered uncovered to allow it to thicken properly.
Should I let the dish rest before serving?
Yes, let the zucchini boats cool for a few minutes before serving.
What is the purpose of scooping out the seeds?
Scooping out the seeds creates a cavity for the meat filling and prevents the dish from becoming too watery.