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Stuffed Zucchini Boats

A vibrant and flavorful dish where zucchini is filled with a hearty mixture of rice, ground turkey, and cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 280
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Filling
  • 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
  • 1 cup ground turkey or your choice of protein
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes canned or fresh
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt to taste Salt
  • Pepper to taste Pepper
  • Olive oil for drizzling Olive oil
For the Zucchini
  • 4 medium zucchinis halved and seeds scooped out
For the Topping
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the Zucchini: Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. With a spoon, scoop out the centers, creating boat-shaped halves (save the insides for the filling!).
Cooking the Filling
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the minced garlic until fragrant.
  2. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the scooped-out zucchini flesh, cooked rice or quinoa, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
Assembling and Baking
  1. Spoon the filling into the zucchini halves generously. You can heap it on top like a mountain of flavor!
  2. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the stuffed zucchinis.
  3. Place the zucchini boats on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is bubbling and golden.
  4. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your masterpiece!

Notes

Feel free to experiment with different proteins and veggies for a personalized touch. Great for meal prep, they can be made ahead and stored in the fridge.