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    Home » Food

    Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef

    August 14, 2023 by Jenn Leave a Comment

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    Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef are a great way to enjoy summer vegetables in a fun and flavorful way all year long.

    This recipe for baked stuffed zucchini with ground beef is perfect for a light and healthy low carb or KETO meal, or as a party appetizer.

    halved zucchini filled with ground beef or chicken and topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board

    This post may contain affiliate links which means we receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure and privacy policy for more information.

    Try these delicious Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef

    This stuffed zucchini with ground beef recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. Zucchini is a low-calorie, high-fiber vegetable that is packed with vitamins and minerals. Ground beef is also a good source of protein and iron, so zucchini stuffed with ground beef is a great meal choice all around!

    The pasta sauce in this baked stuffed zucchini with ground beef recipe adds flavor and richness, while the basil provides a touch of freshness. The melted cheese on top adds a bit of creaminess and richness that brings the entire zucchini hamburger boats together!

    This was inspired by our Low Carb Cheddar Zucchini Crisps Recipe that we shared a few years ago, and pairs well with this Creamy Chicken Zucchini Pasta as a main dish!

    halved zucchini filled with ground beef or chicken and topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board

    Why We love these Easy Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef

    These ground beef stuffed zucchini boats are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. You can use your favorite type of ground beef, or add in some chopped vegetables like onions, peppers, or mushrooms. You can also use a different type of pasta sauce, or add in some grated Parmesan cheese.

    These stuffed zucchini boats with ground beef are perfect for a light and healthy summer meal. They are also a great party appetizer. Serve them with some crusty bread for dipping, and your guests will love them!

    These Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef are pretty low carb, and they are also great for those days when you are looking for a quick and easy snack or light dinner. This ground beef zucchini recipe is really just SO GOOD! 

    halved zucchini filled with ground beef or chicken and topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board

    Looking for other low carb recipes like my stuffed zucchini with ground beef?

    Check out these delicious low carb recipes that I have shared over the years, like our Panko Parmesan Zucchini Fries Recipe!

    I think you will love them all, especially our Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Bake Recipe! Of course, this is just a small selection of low carb recipes, but we have LOTS and lots of recipes on the blog that are perfect for low carb and KETO diets.

    You can check out some of our most recent low carb recipes below, or click on the Low Carb KETO Recipes tab and it will take you to ALL of our low carb recipes in our FOOD INDEX!

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    Tips for the Best Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Ah, beef zucchini boats! A culinary adventure that transforms an ordinary vegetable into a flavorful, boat-shaped masterpiece. If you're ready to embark on this delicious journey and create the best stuffed zucchini boats ever, then hop on board! We've got some fantastic tips to help you sail through this tasty endeavor.

    Just like choosing a sturdy vessel for your sea voyage, selecting the right zucchinis is crucial. Opt for medium-sized ones that are firm and vibrant green in color. Avoid any squishy or overripe specimens; we want our boats to stay afloat!

    zucchinis

    Hollowing Out Like a Pro: Now it's time for some fun! Carefully slice each zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seedy center using a spoon or melon baller. Be gentle yet thorough while hollowing them out, ensuring there's enough space to hold your scrumptious filling.

    Precooking Filling Ingredients: To ensure all flavors meld together harmoniously inside our zucchini boats, make sure that you precook the ground beef. You can also add some minced garlic and onions to make this more of a more Italian style minute meals recipe! One of our biggest kitchen tips is always to add GARLIC, but we have left it out of this recipe because not everyone likes that flavor with their zucchini. 

    How To Make Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef

    Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef Ingredients

    • 2-3 fresh zucchini
    • 1 cup cooked lean ground beef - if you are going to double or triple this stuffed zucchini boats recipe, you will need about a pound ground beef
    • ⅔ cup low carb or KETO marinara sauce
    • ¼ cup KETO-friendly low carb bread crumbs
    • 1 egg
    • salt and pepper
    • Shredded Mozzarella cheese
    • Shredded Parmesan cheese

    Optional: Minced garlic, diced onions, Italian Seasoning to taste cooked in olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes. 

    Get all of your cooking and baking supplies on Amazon.com!

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    Directions for How to Make Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef

    Preheat an outdoor grill, or preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit - or you can use your air fryer!

    Wash your veggies, and then cut the zucchini lengthwise. Cut a flat spot on the bottom of the zucchini if necessary so that they sit level. Use the end of a spoon to scoop a ½" wide x ½" deep well of zucchini out of the center and discard. Basically, remove the seeds and make room for your stuffing!

    Mix together your cooked ground beef, the marinara sauce, the ground bread crumbs, egg and salt and pepper in a medium bowl.

    Spoon a small amount of this stuffing into each zucchini and then top it off with a healthy serving of shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.

    Place the stuffed zucchini boat onto foil and then wrap it gently around the edges of the zucchini.

    Place on a preheated grill and cook for 10-12 minutes or until desired doneness. I like mine soft with a bit of crunch! Remove from grill and serve whole or slice into bite size pieces to enjoy as a finger food.

    AIR FRYER OPTION

    Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). 

    Place the zucchini boats in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown.

    OVEN OPTION

    Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and lightly browned.

    halved zucchini topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board

    There you have it, folks, a quick, healthy, and delicious meal that's perfect for any day of the week. Zucchini boats with ground beef are not only easy on the waistline but also filled with nutrients that your body will thank you for. They're a perfect dinner option for those busy nights when you don't have much time to cook.

    So, go ahead and give this recipe a try in your own kitchen. And don't forget to let us know how it turned out in the comments!

    Share this Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef with your friends and family on social media!

    If you love this Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef recipe as much as we do, please leave me a 5-star review below and help me share this recipe on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest!

    If you do make the recipe, I hope you’ll share that you tried it on Pinterest! I love it SO MUCH when readers share their feedback!

    Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef
    halved zucchini filled with ground beef or chicken and topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board
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    Are you looking for more easy dinner recipes?

    If Low Carb or KETO recipes aren't your thing, have no fear! We have lots of One Pot Meals Quick and Easy Air Fryer Slow Cooker Recipes - you name it! Check out our FOOD INDEX for a complete listing of all of our recipe ideas!

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    To print the recipe, click the recipe card below!

    I know that many people still like to print out recipes and keep them in a recipe binder, or simply have the printed recipe sitting in front of them when it comes time to cook! 

    Sometimes it is just easier to go off a recipe when it is printed right in front of you. Who wants to swipe their screen on their phone or tablet when their hands are greasy? So I love offering this option as well!

    Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef and topped with melted cheese
    Print

    Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef

    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4
    Author Jennifer

    Ingredients

    • 2-3 fresh zucchini
    • 1 cup cooked ground beef
    • ⅔ cup pizza or marinara sauce
    • ¼ cup seasoned bread crumbs
    • 1 egg
    • salt and pepper
    • Shredded Mozzarella cheese
    • Shredded Parmesan cheese

    Instructions

    1. Preheat an outdoor grill.
    2. Cut zucchini lengthwise. Cut a flat spot on the bottom of the zucchini if necessary to sit level. Use the end of a spoon to scoop a ½" wide x ½" deep well of zucchini out of the center. Discard.
    3. Mix cooked ground beef, sauce, bread crumbs, egg and salt and pepper together. Spoon a small amount into each zucchini. Top with cheese.

    4. Place zucchini onto foil. Wrap it gently around the edges of the zucchini. Place on a preheated grill and cook for 10-12 minutes or until desired doneness. I like mine soft with a bit of crunch.
    5. Remove from grill and serve whole or slice into bite size pieces to enjoy as a finger food.
    What should I serve with zucchini boats?

    The best side dishes to serve with zucchini boats are eggplant parmesan, crispy chicken wings, or a mixed green salad.

    What temperature should ground beef be safely cooked to?

    But here's the thing - according to CDC and USDA, they recommend cooking ground beef to a temperature of 160°F. Now, you might wonder why there's a different guideline for us regular folks. Well, it's actually simpler to focus on just one standard - temperature - rather than juggling both temperature and time. So, by cooking ground beef to 160°F, we can effectively zap those pesky E. coli germs and ensure a safe meal in no time!

    Can ground beef be cooked in a microwave oven?

    It is safe to cook ground beef in the microwave if cooked to the safe minimum temperature of 165F degrees. Cooking at a lower power will allow the meat to cook from the center. If you cook it at full power, it will likely burn too quickly on the outside leaving you with a pink center.

    Is zucchini related to the cucumber?

    Did you know that even though cucumbers and zucchini may appear alike, they actually have different family ties? Cucumbers are part of the gourd family, while zucchini belongs to the Cucurbita family. 🥒🥒

    Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef
    halved zucchini filled with ground beef or chicken and topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board
    halved zucchini filled with ground beef or chicken and topped with melted cheese on a wooden cutting board

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    About Jenn

    Jenn, AKA "The Rebel Chick," is a 40-something Gen Xer who strives to help her readers live their best lives possible. Whether it be through sharing new recipes, sharing her dating stories, or encouraging people to embrace adventure and travel, she aims to inspire people to live full, happy and authentic lives.

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    Hi, I'm Jennifer! I'm a Miami native and I love sharing easy dinner recipes, baking recipes, travel ideas and general Miami Lifestyle fun! Follow along for inspiration on how to make the most our of life!

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