Description
Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a delicious and healthy dish that combines the freshness of garden zucchini with a savory filling of ground turkey, vegetables, and gooey cheese. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings, offering a nutritious meal that everyone will love. Bursting with flavor and customizable to suit various dietary preferences, these stuffed boats are sure to become a staple in your kitchen. Serve them alongside a fresh salad or crusty garlic bread for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and good for you.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 medium onion
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 2–3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Halve zucchini lengthwise, scoop out seeds, season with salt and pepper, and bake cut-side up for 10 minutes.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high; sauté diced onion and bell pepper for about 4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, then ground turkey; cook until browned (3–5 minutes).
- Stir in seasoning, Romano cheese, tomato sauce, water, and diced tomato; heat through for 5–7 minutes.
- Mix in cooked rice until combined; fill zucchini boats with mixture and top with Mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed zucchini boat (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Feel free to substitute the ground turkey with beef or plant-based proteins. Add additional veggies like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition. Top with fresh herbs like basil or parsley before serving for added flavor.