Sizzling ground beef, nestled in garden-fresh zucchini and topped with melted cheese, makes these Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Boats not just a meal but a memorable feast.
Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Boats Recipe
Enhance your dinner routine with the Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Boats, where the wholesomeness of zucchini pairs impeccably with richly seasoned ground beef. This recipe stands out for its simplicity and the ingenious use of zucchini as a vessel for the juicy, flavorful beef filling topped with golden, bubbly cheese. It's an inventive way to include more vegetables in your meals without sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. Perfect for those evenings when you crave something special but straightforward, these zucchini boats deliver big on taste and comfort.
Ingredients
- 6 small-medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion finely diced
- 1 pound ground beef OR ground beef and pork
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder OR 2 cloves freshly minced
- ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
- 1.5 cups shredded cheese I used mozzarella; cheddar or Gouda work, too
Instructions
Prep zucchini
- Wash zucchini well, then slice in half lengthwise. Scoop out the flesh with a small spoon and set aside. Place zucchini halves on a baking sheet.
Brown beef and season
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened, then add ground beef and cook until well browned. Stir in tomato paste, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Finish filling
- Stir in tomato sauce and scooped-out zucchini flesh (chop if desired for more even filling), then simmer, covered, on low heat for 10 minutes. Remove the lid, stir well and simmer for another 5 minutes.
Fill and bake
- Heat oven to 360°F. Spoon filling in prepared zucchini halves. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
Serving Suggestions
- Salad Pairings
- Quinoa, rice
- Couscous
- Roasted asparagus,
- Bell peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
Tips and Tricks
- To ensure the beef is packed with flavor, brown it well before adding other ingredients. This method creates a deeper, more complex taste in the meat.
- If the beef and tomato sauce mixture appears too dry, don't hesitate to stir in a few tablespoons of water or beef broth.
- If you're dealing with larger zucchini from your garden, slicing them into thick rounds and hollowing out the centers for filling is a creative alternative to halving them lengthwise.
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