Easy Beef Zucchini Boats—Whip this up when you’re craving something low-carb, healthy, loaded with nutrition and flavor, and ridiculously easy to make. This one hits all the marks!
Imagine tender zucchini filled with a beefy, cheesy stuffing, baked to golden perfection. Each bite is fresh, hearty, and so satisfying. Delicious doesn’t even cover it!
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Easy zucchini boats are perfect for summertime when fresh zucchini is in abundance, but they’re also a cozy option for a casual dinner, meal prepping for the week, or looking for a healthy, crowd-pleasing dish.
I know you can’t wait to jump into the recipe, but I’ll bet you a steak dinner you’ll also love our Beef Swedish Meatballs and FLAVORFUL beef meatballs.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe…
- Zucchini, fresh veggies, and your favorite protein are the stars of this dish. A little chopping and mixing, and you’ve got a healthy, wholesome meal that feels light but is totally satisfying.
- When life is busy, quick recipes are lifesavers. These easy 10 ingredient zucchini boats come together in just about 30 minutes, giving you a delicious, homemade dinner with minimal effort. Perfect for weeknights when time is short!
- Whether you’re feeding the family on a weeknight, prepping for a dinner party, or looking for a light, summery dish, zucchini boats fit the bill. They’re flavorful, comforting, and always a crowd-pleaser!
- Want to add your own touch to the filling? No problem. Swap ground beef for turkey, go vegetarian, or experiment with different cheeses and spices. This recipe is super flexible, so you can make it your own with whatever you have on hand.
- Are you a planner? Zucchini boats are AMAZING for making ahead. Just prep them by hollowing the zucchini, add the mixture, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. How easy is that?
Ingredients
What I love about these beef zucchini boats is how simple the ingredients are—nothing fancy. The key ingredients are fresh zucchini, ground beef, and cheese. Everything works together to make a super tasty dish.
- Zucchini – Choose straight, medium-sized, and avoid bruised ones
- Ground beef – We like 88/12 or leaner.
- Onion – Yellow or white works great
- Garlic
- Marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Italian cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
First, cut off the ends of the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the middle part of the zucchini and throw it away.
Place the hollow zucchini on a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat until it’s no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the fat, remove the meat from the pan, and set it aside.
In the same pan, cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the beef back into the pan with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and marinara sauce. Mix everything well and cook for 5 minutes.
Spoon the meat mixture evenly into the zucchini halves.
Bake them for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, sprinkle cheese on top of the zucchini and bake for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts.
Top Tip
Don’t over scoop the zucchini! Instead, leave about ¼ inch of flesh to keep the boats sturdy and prevent them from falling over.
Storage
Pop your leftover zucchini boats into an airtight container and stash them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let them cool first—no one likes soggy boats!
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, and they’ll taste just as good as day one.
FAQ
Nope! The skin helps hold everything together and adds a nice texture. Plus, it’s full of nutrients—win-win! Just give the zucchini a good wash before using.
There are so many options! Try quinoa, lentils, or a mix of sautéed veggies for a delicious vegetarian version. Add some beans or tofu for extra protein.
Beef Italian Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Beef
- 4 Zucchini Medium
- ½ Cup Onion Chopped
- 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 1 Cup Marinara Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
- ¼ Tsp Salt
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Cup Italian Shredded Cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Cut off the ends of the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the middle part of the zucchini and throw it away.
- Place the hollow zucchini on a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Cook the ground beef in a pan over medium heat until it's no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the fat, remove the meat from the pan, and set it aside.
- In the same pan, cook the onion for 4 minutes until soft. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Add the beef back to the pan with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and marinara sauce. Mix everything well and cook for 5 minutes.
- Spoon the meat mixture evenly into the zucchini halves. Bake them for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, sprinkle cheese on top of the zucchini and bake for another 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Sprinkle parsley on top and enjoy!
Notes
- Reheat zucchini boats at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
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