Description
These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are easy to prepare, and incredibly versatile. Easily, substitute eggplant and/or yellow squash for the zucchini. The zucchini are generously filled with a savory sausage meat sauce, topped with gooey mozzarella cheese, then baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 pound hot Italian sausage (see notes for substitutions)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 yellow onion, minced
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes or 1 1/2 cups tomato or marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan.
- Add the sausage and allow to brown.
- Once the sausage is almost fully-cooked, add in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Soften the vegetables for a few minutes.
- Add the tomatoes (salt the tomatoes), or tomato sauce and fresh basil.
- Simmer for at least 20 minutes if using fresh tomatoes, and 5-10 minutes if using tomato sauce or marinara sauce.
- While the sauce is simmering, cut the ends off of the zucchini. Slice each down the middle, lengthwise.
- With a spoon, remove the seeds to create a “boat.” Carefully, so as not to remove too much of the flesh.
- Salt the inside flesh to release excess moisture. Give it a few minutes. Blot the inside with paper towels.
- Place the hollowed-out zucchini boats into a prepared, oven-safe casserole dish, or cast iron pan. If needed, trim the bottom of each boat to keep steady.
- Season the inside of the zucchini boats with salt and black pepper. Add a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese to the bottom of each boat.
- Preheat the oven to 350F (177°C).
- Generously fill the boats with the meat sauce. Top each with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Fill the gaps in the casserole dish with remaining sauce.
- Cover. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the zucchini are tender.
- Remove the cover and broil for a few minutes to brown the cheese.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Choose firm, medium-to-large size zucchini.
- Yellow squash or eggplant are great substitutions for the zucchini.
- Replace the hot Italian sausage with mild sausage, ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey.
- If fresh tomatoes are not available, use tomato sauce or marinara sauce.
- Simmer the sauce for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- To make this dish vegetarian/vegan, substitute the sausage with a meat alternative. Use vegan cheese.
- Carefully spoon out the seeds to create a boat, leaving as much flesh as possible.
- Adjust the bake time to your preference.
- If needed, trim the bottom of the zucchini boat to keep upright/steady in the casserole dish.
- See post for additional tips and notes.
- Total cook time with vary depending on whether you are using fresh tomatoes or a jarred sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American