Description
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a delightful and healthy dinner option that combines vibrant flavors with wholesome ingredients. These zucchini boats are easy to prepare, making them perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings. Filled with ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and topped with melted cheese, they provide a nutritious meal that even picky eaters will enjoy. Whether served as a main dish or side, these stuffed zucchini boats are versatile and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 2–3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 tablespoons Romano cheese
- 4 ounces water
- 1 medium tomato
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Halve the zucchini lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, and place cut-side up on the baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray, then season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm olive oil and sauté diced onion and red bell pepper for about 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Add ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it apart while browning for about 3-5 minutes until cooked through.
- Stir in salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, Romano cheese, tomato sauce, water, and diced tomato. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until well combined.
- Mix in cooked rice until fully incorporated.
- Fill each zucchini half evenly with the turkey mixture, topping with Mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed zucchini boat (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize your filling with other vegetables like spinach or mushrooms. For extra flavor, top with fresh herbs such as basil or parsley before serving.