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Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Boats

Quick and tasty zucchini boats stuffed with seasoned ground beef, perfect for sneaking in extra veggies for dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Zucchini Boats
  • 4 medium medium zucchini Choose firm zucchinis for better structure.
For the Filling
  • 1 lb ground beef Use lean ground beef for less grease.
  • 1 medium onion, chopped Onion adds flavor.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced Add for aroma and taste.
  • 1 cup tomato sauce Use your favorite brand.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning You can also use taco seasoning.
  • ½ cup cheese, shredded Use mozzarella or cheddar.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds using a spoon, creating 'boats'.
  3. Sprinkle salt in the scooped-out zucchini and let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess water.
  4. Pat the zucchini boats dry before filling.
Cooking
  1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is cooked through.
  2. Add the Italian seasoning and tomato sauce to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
  3. Fill the zucchini boats with the beef mixture, heaping generously.
  4. Top each boat with shredded cheese.
  5. Place the filled zucchini in a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is bubbly.

Notes

For extra flavor, try topping with breadcrumbs or fresh herbs before baking. Leftover filling can be stored for later use.