Fresh Zucchini stuffed with a hearty meat sauce, topped with cheese and baked to perfection making this a delicious low-carb and gluten-free dinner!
These zucchini boats are for my low-carb lovers and just about anyone else! We all have those nights when we crave a large slice of pizza or lasagna but can’t bear the thought of all the carbs at night. With these zucchini boats, you get all the deliciousness without the carbs because the zucchini crust is used as the base.
The zucchini boats are then stuffed with ground beef sauce and topped with cheese and baked until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is cooked through. They store very well in the fridge or freezer and make a great take to work lunch too.
I used cheddar cheese because that was all I had on hand, but Mozzarella or Monterey Jack work as well. Top with diced tomatoes, avocado, and/or cilantro. If you’re a foodie, go ahead and add a drizzle of lime too! 
Watch Video Below!
Beef Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 6-8 medium zucchini, or 12 small
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup low-fat shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F. Slice zucchini in half, and carve them out with a spoon. Chop the zucchini 'meat' and set it aside. Line zucchini boats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased with oil.
- Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet. Cook onion for 2-3 minutes or until it begins to golden. Ad the garlic and cook for a few seconds. Add meat and cook until it's no longer pink, 3-5 minutes. Add the marinara sauce, zucchini pulp, italian seasoning and salt + pepper. Simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Spoon mixture into zucchini boats and top each with a drizzle of cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheesy is fully melted and bubbly.
Tried this recipe with a few minor modifications. No Alfredo sauce so quickly picked a couple of fresh tomatoes and whipped up a quick tomato sauce. Everything but the Ground beef and cheese was fresh picked from our garden.
There was way too much Zucchini pulp so I fried what was left over in garlic butter.
The meal was delicious. We are definitely making this again.
I am making this tonight. But I am using tomatoe sauce instead of Marinara. Hubs is not crazy about Marinara. I seasoned with Italian and a little Oregano salt and pepper. Using Mozzarella and cheddar and Parmesan.
This was a bit hit with the whole family. I added some fennel seeds to the beef to give it more of an Italian sausage flavor. Quick, pretty healthy and economical dinner, win win win!
I have made this recipe several times and it is a favorite.We have a friend coming from South Carolina next month and I am making it for him. I know he will enjoy it and I am sending the recipe to all our kids. They are good cooks and I think they will like this.
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Can I use cucumber instead?
You should use zucchini, not cucumber.
Do You eat the boat, or just the topping inside
You eat the boat.
Can these be frozen?
I haven’t tried freezing them but if you do, freezing in a foil baking dish and re-heating in the oven is the way to go!
Excellent dish! I grated carrots & cauliflower into the meat mixture while simmering, as well as a T of Asiago cheese
This turned out very well! Everyone liked it!
Wondering about making this a vegetarian meal with plant based meat instead of the ground beef. What do you think?
Yes, it works great with plant-based meat as well!
I have several huge extra large zucchini. How long should I cook them in oven?
I made this with a lb. Each of ground beef and turkey. My homemade marinara sauce, added cooked rice, onions, peppers,diced fresh tomatoes and chopped spinach. Oh and cheese. Awesome. I also made some stuffed peppers as I had 10 beautiful huge peppers. Made one for the guy who works down at the gas station/deli and he said I should make and sell at his deli. Nice compliment 😃.
Delicious!!! Will make again!! 🙂
Several people have asked what is a serving suze. I haven’t seen an answer.
The recipe says it makes 6 servings.
Simply, your serving would be one whole zucchini. So, if you started with 6 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini. Per the recipe, if you started with 8 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini.
I have made this twice this month. My husband and I love it. Had friends and family try it and they love it too. This recipe is definitely a keeper.
How much is a portion? One half or two?
Simply, your serving would be one whole zucchini. So, if you started with 6 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini. Per the recipe, if you started with 8 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini.
Thanks this is quick filling and not heavy for this time of year. Adding the extra spices made it taste like the sauce was homemade! Its a hit!
This is a good recipe if you like your zucchini almost raw
I’m thinking that too.. I’m precooking the zucchini for 5 minutes before stuffing them…
I boil the scooped out zucchini for 1-2 minutes before filling and baking.
Is that better? Did it make is softer ?
This may be a dumb question, but you don’t scoop the seeds and cook them, do you? The picture looks like the zucchini is there and only the seeds are gone.
Please email the answe. I don’t want this published. Thanks
If you like your zucchini a bit softer, you can heat them in the oven without the meat mixture for 15 minutes at 325 degrees, then add meat mixture and continue cooking until done.
We love this recipe because it’s as good as zucchini lasagne but without the eggs and ricotta!
Much healthier!
wish I would have read the comments before making this. I would have heated the zucchini without the meat first. Lesson learned.
Make sure oven is preheated to 375°
ground turkey rather than ground beef
I’m thinking of using ground bison but ground turkey is a great idea.
I’m thinking of using ground bison but ground turkey is a great idea!
How much is one serving?
Simply, your serving would be one whole zucchini. So, if you started with 6 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini. Per the recipe, if you started with 8 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini.
How much is one serving ?
It says 6 servings and the recipe is for 12 halves. So I assume 2 halves is 1 serving.
That is correct!
I make these every summer their great. I broil my zuchinni 1st for 5 mins until it starts to brown then add the mixture then put in the oven. Gor those that like the zuchinni cooked more. It’s great my family loves it. Also try adding some ricotta cheese. Their awesome.
Lori, did you add the ricotta right in with the meat mixture or layer it? This sounds amazing!!
Simply, your serving would be one whole zucchini. So, if you started with 6 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini. Per the recipe, if you started with 8 zucchini and cut them all in half and filled them, you would eat two halves, or one whole zucchini.
I tried making baked zuchinis before but this recipe you shared take it to the next level. It is easier to make and it is also keto friendly which is perfect for me.
It was a hit for everyone around the table. The beef mixture can be seasoned in a variety of ways. Definitely a keeper!
Love this. I only had a small
Amount of ground beef. I made 1.5 zucchini . It made plenty. I just made it with onion the meat, cheese garlic, chopped fresh tomatoes, basil and oregano from the garden and pepper. The zucchini came from the garden. So delish! Thanks
My daughter has made this recipe for the past couple of years. She also has used sausage instead of beef; and instead of baking them she has grilled them! Absolutely delicious either way they are made. You can use ground up Chen as well.
These look great. I wonder if i could prep the meat mixture and keep it in the fridge to just make one serving at a time.
What a great idea! I want to do that, too. I bet that would work beautifully!!
When storing these in the FreeZer, how long should you heat them up in the microwave?
Heat for 2 minutes or until steaming.
we tried this recipe tonight, and it was great! i’m definitely adding this to the rotation. thank you!
Glad it made it to your rotation. Enjoy! 🙂
Does anyone know where the video is?
Loved this recipe, always trying to find good ground beef recipes that the entire family loves. Can you tell me which MARINAra sauce you use?
This recipe is fantastic ..
Our kids are making it tOday for their Dad as a fathers Dad dinner .
Excellent taste and quick to make.
Thanks for the great review, Ana!
These are very good and fairly quick to make.
Tried it and loved it!
This was delicious!! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!! My husband and I have been trying to cut out carbs, without luck…until now!! Thank you again!
for whatever reason, I can’t give you five stars…I would if I could!
Your recipe calls for 6 to 8 medium zucchini or 12 large. one pound of hamburger for 6 or 12 medium zucchini????????/
thank you
It’s 6-8 medium or 12 SMALL zucchini!
Our zucchinis were a bit small, so I smeared mince mixture over. Kids did enjoy very much!
I precooked the Zucchini shells Before stuffing and these were a huge hit! My husband claiMs To “hate squash” but was a sport and tried it and loved it!
How do you are cook the zucchini before stuffing?
Fantastic way to use zucchini!
Great resipe
Made it tonight For my wife and, all i can say iS….yummy!
Way less filling Than pasta, and i absol love the firm biteof the zucchini.
Thank you for sharing!
If i want to eat the boat, SHOULd I peal the zucchini or anyrhing before stuffing and baking?
No, you are supposed to eat the boats regardless! Enjoy 🙂
I want to eat the boat. Should I peal them or anything before stuffing and baking?
Tried these this evening very good but next time I think I will blanch the boats a little before stuffing because hubby and I ate everything.
Very Yummy and quick! I did drain the Meat before adding mariNara sauce and put The Zucinni in TheOven at 375 for 20 min to soften them before stuffing. Will make again!
Very delicious!!!
Omg this is so yummy! I think next timE i’ll Try it with gRound tuRkey to make it a little Healthier.
Stuffed mine witH broccoli/rice/cheese/ground beef/pasta sauce. So good!!
Yum, that sounds delicious!!
Why do you rate 2 stars when writing delicious…
Weird people out there
Man, it’s been a while since I had zucchini boats. A really long while. Time to change that =)
Just had this last night, and for lunch today! Really delicious. Added in a diced red pepper with the onions & garlic. Definitely a versatile recipe I can’t wait to try again!
Is a “serving” 1 boat or 2 for the nutrition facts?
Thanks!
The serving size is for 2 small zucchinis or 1 large.
Further clarification – then is 2 small zucchinis actually four small boats and 1 large zucchini is two large boats?
Sorry for the confusion! The serving size is 1 whole large zucchini or two “boats.
I made these with vegetarian crumbles and skipped the cheese and they were very good.
What is your suggestion for re-heating them?
I don’t have any marinara. Could I use Alfredo sauce? Or just season the meat a bit more and use no sauce at all?
Yes, you can also use a few tablespoons of tomato paste or tomato sauce or taco seasoning for a Mexican twist!
Forgot sauce but still was delicious
Can Italian sausage {drained well) be used instead of the hamburg ?
Yes, it should work!
This was easy to make and very tasty. I think I would drain my ground beef before mixing with sauce and other ingredients. I will make this again.
I am new at cooking so I hope this does not sound silly. Would it be okay to put the zucchini in the oven for a few minutes just to soften the shell, then put the zucchini and filling in the fridge to cook later when my husband gets home in a few hours? Just asking to shorten the cook time for later.
Yes, that should be okay. Hope you and your husband enjoy them 🙂
Very easy to make and a good way to use some of my ‘grown too big” Zucchini from the garden!
I used 90% Beef to cut down a little on the fat.
These were very tasty and simple. I will definitely make them again. I used just regular tomatoe sauce and mazarrella cheese. Wonderful!
These were so good! I threw in some yellow squash from the garden and they were just as good as the zucchini. I’m curious how they turn out if frozen; I think the zucchini would get watery/rubbery. In any case, this was yummy and I’ll be making it again! I spritzed the squash with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and put in the pre-heating oven to soften it up a bit before adding the meat mixture.
After it is cooked do you just scoop out the inside & eat it? Or can the entire zucchini
be eaten?
you can eat the whole thing. Many people just like the inside, but the entire zucchini is good to eat!
I have seen several variations of this recipe but no one mentions what they do wit the Zucchini innards you scoop out.
Step 2 says
chop up the scooped out zucchini and mix with the meat. See step 2.
Can these be frozen either before or after baking?
I suggest freezing them before baking!
Thank you for the info, I have a LARGE half to save for tomorrow