Zucchini Ground Beef Boats
Zucchini ground beef boats are a delicious and healthy meal option that is perfect for any day of the week. These boats are made from zucchini, which is a low-calorie vegetable that is packed with vitamins and minerals. Ground beef adds protein to the dish, making it a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Trying to get my kids to eat vegetables was always a struggle, but with ground beef zucchini boats, it’s never been easier. The boat shape makes the dish fun and appealing to children, while also sneaking in some nutritious vegetables. Plus, the filling of ground beef and vegetables is flavorful and tasty, making it a win-win for picky eaters.
This zucchini boats recipe is a great way to stick to a Keto Diet or even if you’re doing a low carb diet.
Ingredients
Here is a quick look at what you will need. You can find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Zucchini
- Canned Diced Tomatoes
- Lean Ground Beef
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Coconut Aminos
- Parsley
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Kosher Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the steps. See the Recipe card below for the rest.
In a heated pan, brown ground meat for 8 to 10 minutes and drain excess oil. Retain 1 tablespoon of beef fat.
Season browned ground beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and pour coconut aminos. Combine the seasonings well with the ground beef.
Pour diced tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
Sprinkle half of parsley and continue stirring for another 60 seconds. Turn off the heat. Set aside.
Cut each zucchini in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and create a hollow space throughout the core.
Place zucchini halves on the Air Fryer tray. Lightly brush zucchini boats with oil.
In a pre-heated Air Fryer Oven, insert the Air Fryer tray into the cooking chamber. Set at 370F (188C) for 15 minutes. Cook zucchini for Fill all zucchini boats with the meat mixture.
Sprinkle each zucchini boat with mozzarella cheese on top. Return the tray to the Air Fryer Oven.
Variations and Substitutions
- Dipping Sauce: For added flavor, you can serve these zucchini boats with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
- Meats – If you don’t like ground beef for your meat filling, you can always try Italian sausage or ground turkey
- Vegetarian Option: For a meatless version, you can substitute the ground beef with Tofu.
- Different Cheese: If you’re not a fan of mozzarella cheese, you can use any other type of shredded cheese such as cheddar, Colby Jack, or Mexican blend Cheeses.
- Veggies: Feel free to add in some diced onion, bell peppers, or mushrooms to the ground beef mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Toppings: You can top these zucchini boats with some Sour Cream, chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil, or even sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Serving Suggestions: These zucchini boats make a great main dish served with a side salad or roasted vegetables. They can also be served as an appetizer or party snack by cutting them into small pieces.
Equipment
- Kitchen tongs
- Baking tray
- Spatula
- Large Skillet
- Air Fryer
Storage
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days
Freezing: You can store in a freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months
Reheat: To reheat, simply place the calzones in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat in an air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375 degrees.
Pro Tips
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can also bake these zucchini boats in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also cook them on a griddle or grill. Just make sure to oil the surface before cooking to prevent sticking.
- To add even more flavor, you can mix in some chopped fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or oregano into the ground beef mixture. You can also top the calzones with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before baking for an extra cheesy crust.
- Use a Melon Baller to easily scoop out the inside of the Zucchini’s.
FAQ
While smaller zucchini may be more convenient for this recipe, you can use large Zucchinis as well. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Larger zucchinis may take longer to cook through.
Yes, you can assemble them ahead of time and store them in the fridge until ready to bake. They may need a few extra minutes in the oven since they will be chilled.
Recipe Card
Zucchini Ground Beef Boats
Equipment
- Kitchen tongs
- Baking Tray
- Spatula
- Large Skillet
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 small Zucchini about 400 grams
- 1 cup Canned Diced Tomatoes
- 3/4 cup Lean Ground Beef 6 ounces
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 tablespoon Coconut Aminos
- 1 tablespoon fresh finely chopped Parsley divided
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a heated pan, brown ground meat for 8 to 10 minutes and drain excess oil. Retain 1 tablespoon of beef fat.
- Season browned ground beef with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and pour coconut aminos. Combine the seasonings well with the ground beef.
- Pour diced tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Sprinkle half of parsley and continue stirring for another 60 seconds. Turn off the heat. Set aside.
- Cut each zucchini in half, lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and create a hollow space throughout the core. Retain 1/4 to 1/2 inch flesh from the skin of the zucchini.
- Place zucchini halves on the Air Fryer tray. Lightly brush zucchini boats with oil.
- In a pre-heated Air Fryer Oven, insert the Air Fryer tray into the cooking chamber. Set at 370F (188C) for 15 minutes. Cook zucchini for 3 to 5 minutes, skin side up. Remove the tray and turn the zucchini, skin side down. Fill all zucchini boats with the meat mixture. Evenly distribute the ground beef mixture among the prepared zucchini. Return the Air Fryer tray with the filled zucchini boats. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle each zucchini boat with mozzarella cheese on top. Return the tray into the Air Fryer Oven. Melt the mozzarella cheese for 2 to 3 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown to your liking. Remove Air Fryer Tray. Allow the zucchini boats to cool for a few minutes. Transfer the zucchini boats to a plate and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Disclaimer:
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
