Recipe

Zucchini Boats Recipes That Will Steer Your Taste Buds

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Whether you want to add more veggies to your meals or take advantage of peak-season zucchini, zucchini boats are the best. They can be anything you want: an appetizer, a side dish, or a main. Just stuff your zucchini boats with a hearty and satisfying filling.

Unlike other zucchini recipes, which take a lot of prep time, zucchini boats are easy to whip up. Plus, they are so versatile.

1. Burrito Zucchini Boats

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On average, a burrito has 400 to 850 calories, and that is very high, considering it takes an hour of intense exercise to burn all that off. If that’s worrying, you can always opt for a zucchini burrito boat. 

A zucchini burrito boat has everything you love about your favorite burrito: black beans, corn, cheese, ground beef, and tomatoes. The only thing missing is the tortilla, which contains the most calories. This zucchini boat still packs a lot of flavor, so much so that you won’t miss the tortilla.

2. Cheese and Sausage Boats

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Italian sausage, cheese, and spicy and sweet seasoning can turn even the most boring vegetables like zucchini into a culinary masterpiece.

Crumbled sausage is caramelized in a pan and stuffed in a partially roasted zucchini boat. The boat and sausage are topped with tomatoes and a cheese sauce made with eggs, Colby cheese, cottage cheese, Italian blend cheese, onion, Italian seasoning and herbs, salt, and pepper. The boats are baked in the oven and broiled towards the end of cooking time. 

3. Mac and Cheese

Source : delish

There are tons of mac and cheese recipes on the internet. Each version has its own unique twist. But whatever ingredients you have and however you make it, a mac and cheese anything will never disappoint like a stuffed mac and cheese zucchini boat.

For this dish, ensure your pasta is perfectly al dente. Overcooking can make the pasta mushy and give the zucchini boats a gummy taste that no one likes. You can serve it with oven-baked bbq chicken breast or pork loin.

4. Air Fryer Loaded Zucchini Skins

Source : andiemitchell

If you are a stuffed potato skin loyalist, add a fresh twist and make loaded zucchini skins. This dish is equally appropriate as potato skins for game day. They are loaded with cheddar, tomato, and avocado. But don’t just stop there. This recipe is super versatile. 

You can add, subtract, make, and buy the ingredients according to your mood and preference. If you want a vegetarian option, skip the protein. For a quick and easy zucchini skin, buy a guacamole from the store. Love spice? Add chili flakes or Mexican chile.

5. Chickpea and Mushroom Stuffed Zucchini

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For something entirely vegetarian and vegan, stuff your zucchini boats with chickpeas and mushrooms. The mildy sweet zucchini pairs well with umami mushrooms and nutty chickpeas.

Chickpeas, cooked zucchini, and mushrooms are laced with spices and flavors such as coriander, cumin, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Once cooked, they are spooned into zucchini shells and baked in the oven. You can add a buttery and creamy tomato sauce before putting them in the oven.

6. Garlicky Shrimp Zucchini Boats

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When you are craving pasta but on a strict low-carb diet, try a garlicky shrimp zucchini boat. It has all the goodness of a shrimp scampi.

The zucchini boats are stuffed with juicy, sweet shrimp bathed in a creamy tomato-Parmesan sauce and baked with mozzarella until golden and bubbly. Once you make this filling, you can use it as a base for pasta and stuffed peppers. 

The dish takes an hour, but the prep time is only 10 minutes. Most of the cooking is hands-off.

7. Stuffed Zucchini Casserole

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There are so many stuffed zucchini recipes, but a casserole-filling zucchini boat is as classic and comforting as it gets. It is delicious and perfect when you have the time and energy to cook. A stuffed zucchini casserole does not come together in minutes, so if you want something quick and easy, this recipe is not it.

The zucchinis are stuffed with ground beef, sausage, chopped onion, bread crumbs, and mixture. They are topped with a tomato mixture of crushed tomatoes, tomato soup, and water before baking. 

8. Chicken Chowder Stuffed Zucchini

Source : delish

Wondering what to do with the leftover rotisserie chicken in your fridge? Make a chicken chowder stuffed with zucchini. The comforting chowder containing corn and cherry tomatoes contrasts beautifully with the crispy oven-roasted and naturally sweet zucchini boats.

The key to a scrumptious chicken chowder stuffed with zucchini is bacon. It is optional, but brushing your zucchini and making your chowder in bacon fat gives this dish an umami flavor. 

The balance of sweet corn and the saltiness of the bacon is definitely addictive.

9. Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats

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Even though nothing can replace our love for pizza, it is always good to take a break from the calorie-laden food and opt for something healthier, like a pizza stuffed with zucchini.

You will definitely miss the pizza crust in this dish, but at least it is healthy, and you still get to enjoy part of the goodness of the pizza, which is the sauce and pizza toppings. Studded with mini pepperoni, mozzarella, and marinara sauce, pizza-stuffed zucchini boats are healthy and irresistible. 

10. Jalapeño Popper Zucchini Boats

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Jalapeño poppers are a crowd-pleasing appetizer at any potlucks, picnics, and parties. If you are constantly craving these spicy and ultra-indulgent snacks, turn them into an actual dinner and keep the recipe in your back pocket.

Combine cream cheese, shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, Monterey Jack, bacon, jalapeños, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Fold in the zucchini flesh and scoop the mixture in the zucchini boats. Bake everything until the cheese melts. 

11. Greek Chicken Stuffed Zucchini

Source : flavourandsavour

For variety, incorporate Mediterranean flavors in your zucchini boats with Greek chicken stuffings. All you need are cooked shredded chicken, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and finely chopped cucumber.

Cook all these ingredients in caramelized garlic and onion and season with kosher salt and oregano. Once everything is incorporated, scoop it into the oven-roasted zucchini boats, top with feta cheese, and bake in the oven. Drizzle lemon juice, garnish with cucumber and dill, and serve warm.

12. Chicken Parm Zucchini

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Chicken Parmesan is so versatile you can put on anything like a zucchini boat. It is low in carbohydrates, high in protein, and leaves you feeling satisfied. 

Start by sauteeing chicken in a pan and add garlic and store-bought pasta sauce. Once everything is cooked and the flavors meld together, spoon them into the boats and cover them with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. 

Once you take it out of the oven, the bubbling cheese and the aroma wafting through the air will have you salivating.

13. Cheesesteak Zucchini Boats

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Thinly sliced pieces of beefsteak and melted cheese in a zucchini boat instead of a hoagie roll will leave you feeling good about your health choices without sacrificing the flavors.

This stuffed zucchini has everything you love about an iconic Philly cheesesteak except the bread. You cook the onion, bell peppers, and zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Once everything is tender, add thinly sliced sirloin steak and season with oregano, salt and pepper. Cook everything, load it in the zucchini boats, and bake.

14. Tuna-Stuffed Zucchini

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Tuna and zucchini pair well together, so tuna-stuffed zucchini boats are only natural. This dish is easy and fairly quick to make. In a medium bowl, mix zucchini flesh, tuna, bread crumbs, cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper. Stuff the hallowed zucchini with the tuna filling and bake them in the oven.

Serve immediately, sprinkled with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

15. Buffalo Ranch Chicken Stuffed Zucchini

Source : thewholesomedish

Buffalo ranch sauce is a quintessential condiment in American cuisine. It combines two things that Americans love: Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.

It all starts with a creamy and tangy ranch sauce, which is spiced with a buffalo sauce that mostly contains cayenne pepper and hot sauce.

In a large bowl, combine chicken, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, cheddar, buffalo sauce, green onions, and season with salt and pepper. Spoon chicken mixture into zucchini boats and bake until zucchini is tender.