Stuffed Zucchini
Stuffed zucchini boats that are filled with savory Italian sausage, veggies, and just the right amount of cheese to keep things cozy and satisfying. I love that they come together quickly and don’t need a side dish because they’re basically a full meal in one. These are perfect when I’m looking for a low-carb meal or just trying to use up my garden zucchini.Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 lb. ground Italian sausage*
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ½ tsp salt plus more to season the zucchini
- ¼ tsp pepper plus more to season the zucchini
- 8 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Half the zucchini lengthwise into 2 long pieces. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds in the center of the zucchini, hallowing it out to form a boat. Discard the removed zucchini or save it for another use.4 medium zucchini
- Arrange the zucchini cut side up on your sheet pan and sprinkle with salt and pepper.½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once warm, add in the Italian sausage, onion, and bell pepper. Cook, crumbling the sausage until browned and the vegetables have softened.1 lb. ground Italian sausage*, 1 medium onion, 1 red bell pepper
- Add in the garlic, Italian seasoning, tomato paste, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 2 tbsp tomato paste, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
- Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the filling has thickened.8 oz. can tomato sauce
- Turn off the heat and stir in the basil and Parmesan cheese.2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Spoon the mixture into the zucchini boats. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Video
Notes
*Use mild or spicy Italian sausage. If your sausage comes in casings, simply cut and discard the casings before adding to the pan in step 4. You can also swap the sausage for cooked lentils, chopped mushrooms, or a plant-based ground—just be sure to season well so you still get that bold, savory flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving (2 zucchini halves) | Calories: 607kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1898mg | Potassium: 1233mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2082IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 337mg | Iron: 4mg