Description
A quick, keto-friendly, and low-carb dinner featuring tender zucchini halves stuffed with savory ground beef, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights and crowd-pleasing comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 lb 80/20 ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes (no added sugar)
- 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash zucchini, trim ends, and slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out the center flesh with a spoon or melon baller, leaving about a quarter-inch of flesh to create a boat. Place cut-side up in a 9×13 inch baking dish. If zucchini is watery, salt inside and let sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned (5-7 minutes), breaking it up with a spoon.
- Add diced onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion is translucent. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Transfer beef mixture to a bowl lined with paper towels and blot excess grease thoroughly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine drained beef, tomato sauce, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir to combine.
- Spoon the beef mixture into each zucchini boat. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with extra Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until zucchini is tender and cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Optionally broil for 2 minutes for extra browning.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
Draining the beef thoroughly is crucial to prevent soggy boats. Salting the zucchini beforehand helps remove excess moisture. Use block cheese shredded by hand for better melting. Medium-sized zucchini are best to avoid watery results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 zucchini boats per
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: keto, low carb, ground beef, zucchini boats, easy dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, gluten-free, healthy dinner