Zucchini cut in half and hollowed out to create “boats” then filled with a spicy, tomato, sausage filling, topped with panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, and baked until it’s tender and crispy, golden brown on top.
My son came home from work the other day and said he was telling his co-workers about my stuffed zucchini recipe, but he couldn’t find it on the blog. I told him that’s because it’s not on the blog. It’s one of those dinners that I don’t cook from a recipe.
My daughter said she had looked for it on the blog too. So I decided to put it on the menu, wrote down the ingredients, measured the amounts, and took some step by step photos as I was putting it together so that I could share it with them and you on the blog.
The recipe is really easy and it’s the perfect way to use those medium size zucchini that you wish you’d picked a day or two earlier. I love Harmons Grocery store’s chicken sausage, but feel free to use your favorite ground sausage. I wouldn’t substitute ground beef unless you spiced it up a bit.
The recipe makes more filling that you can fit in the zucchini, so I just serve it on the side. My daughter likes to serve it with spaghetti too, but if you’re watching your carbs, I’m happy eating it as a one dish meal.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini
- 1 lb. ground chicken sausage
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic very finely chopped or pressed
- 1 can 14 ounces pureed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and using a spoon, scoop out flesh, leaving ½-in. shells. Chop the scooped out flesh of the zucchini in small pieces and set aside.
- Brown sausage in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add onion and cook until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender. Add garlic and cook for another minute. If necessary, drain any excess fat.
- Stir in tomatoes, basil, and chopped zucchini. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Divide the sausage mixture between the shells (boats), and then top with breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until zucchini is tender and top is golden brown.
More zucchini recipes you might like:
23 Zucchini eBook: recipes from The Perfect Pantry
Lemon Zucchini Bread, Barbara Bakes
Cinnamon Zucchini Muffins, Barbara Bakes
Tricolor Thai Salad Recipe with Zucchini & Yellow Squash, Cookin’ Canuck
Julienned Zucchini Vegan Mexican Bowl, Kalyn’s Kitchen
Pin It:
Nutmeg nanny
Oh my, I am in love with this dish! Stuffed zucchini is a favorite of mine and yours looks amazing!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc
These look amazing Barbara! On my list
Deborah
Now this is a great way to use up that zucchini!!
Kitchen Belleicious
great minds sure do think alike. I didn’t post zucchini boats this week but I sure did make some last night! They were great but I am thinking yours would be an evern better hit! Love it
Supriya Nair
The zucchinis look amazing…love the colors. Parmesan adds a zing to this dish. Love you space here..
Claire @ Claire K Creations
Looks like a nice healthy dinner to me Barbara. I always manage to leave the zucchinis in the crisper a little longer than they should be left.
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Boy..these look so GOOD and loaded with goodness!
Mila
Anch’io ogni tanto li preparo, ma la tua ricetta è assolutamente da provare!!!
Heidi @foodiecrush
Isn’t it funny how some of our favorite stand-by recipes are just known by taste, not by measure? Glad the kids asked you to share and I love the idea of chicken sausage in your boats.
Valérie (Franche-Comté)
Barbara, ta version de courgettes me cpnvient parfaitement
Je te souhiate une agréable journée et te remercie pour ta fidélité
Valérie.
My Inner Chick
Gorgeous for a dinner party.
Will you have one, please, B? Haaa. xx
Emily
Mmm…
Kristen
Oh how I love these – and I have plenty of zucchini to use up!
Kelly
Oh this looks incredibly delicious!! Love the use of zucchini!! 🙂
Rocky Mountain Woman
I have so many recipes like that, not sure if any of them are this good though! Maybe I should get out my measuring cups and start measuring…
2 Sisters Recipes
Delicious!! We love zucchini boats especially my kids. I have mine drafted but not yet posted -we cooks tend to think alike! lol…. Hey Barbara I hope you will come over and enter in our first giveaway!
Asha
Ohh!! You have given me a great dinner idea for tonight!!: ))
Rosa
A mouthwatering dish and combination! Those boats remind me of my childhood…
Cheers,
Rosa
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
That dish is a boatload of flavor. I love it!
carrian
I haven’t had zucchini boats in ages!