Name: SkinnyItalian Zucchini Boats – An Easy Dinner You'll Love!
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 medium zucchini ((16 oz total) ); 1 (14 oz) jar pizza or pasta sauce; ½ pound extra lean ground beef or ground turkey; ¾ cup onions, (finely diced); 2 teaspoons garlic, (minced); ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings; Salt and pepper, (to taste); 4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese ((for Paleo, no cheese))

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These are fantastic! One bite and you’ll know why. The filling is a wonderfully flavorful bolognese sauce. These boats are perfect for dinner, fresh, and filling without being overly heavy. Each serving has only 187 calories and 4 grams of fat.

Why You’ll Love SkinnyItalian Zucchini Boats

Craving Italian flavors but watching your carbs? Look no further than Skinny Italian Zucchini Boats! This recipe is a perfect weeknight win for health-conscious home cooks. Zucchini halves transform into edible "boats" filled with a flavorful blend of seasoned ground meat, veggies, and a touch of marinara sauce. Baked to perfection, they provide a satisfying low-carb meal packed with vitamins and fiber. Enjoy classic Italian taste without the guilt - it's a healthy and delicious way to keep your weeknight meals interesting.

Ingredients for SkinnyItalian Zucchini Boats

This recipe offers a delicious and healthy twist on a classic Italian dish. Here's a closer look at each ingredient and its role:

Zucchini "Boats":

2 medium zucchini (16 oz total): Medium zucchini are the base of this recipe. They are halved lengthwise and hollowed out to create edible "boats" that hold the filling.

Sauce:

1 (14 oz) jar pizza or pasta sauce (divided): Pizza or pasta sauce provides the base for the filling's flavor profile. The recipe suggests using about 2 cups, with some reserved for topping the boats before baking. Choose a low-sugar option or a Keto-friendly marinara sauce like Rao's if desired.

Filling:

½ pound extra lean ground beef or ground turkey: Lean ground meat is the primary source of protein in the filling. Extra lean options like ground beef or turkey keep the overall dish lower in fat.
¾ cup onions, finely diced: Finely diced onions add a touch of sweetness and savory depth of flavor to the filling.
2 teaspoons garlic, minced: Minced garlic adds a warm and savory base flavor to the filling.
½ teaspoon Italian seasonings: Italian seasonings typically include a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. These infuse the filling with classic Italian flavors.
Salt and pepper, to taste: Salt and pepper enhance the overall flavor profile of the filling.

Topping (Optional):

4 teaspoons Parmesan cheese (for Paleo, no cheese): Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty flavor, as well as a cheesy element to the top of the zucchini boats. If following a Paleo diet, you can omit the cheese.

This combination of ingredients creates a flavorful and healthy dish that's perfect for a satisfying low-carb meal. The zucchini boats offer a unique and fun way to enjoy classic Italian flavors, while the filling provides protein and vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

How to Make SkinnyItalian Zucchini Boats

Preparing the Zucchini Boats:

Preheat the Oven: Get your oven started by preheating it to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). This ensures the zucchini boats cook through evenly and the cheese melts nicely on top.
Microwave the Zucchini (Optional): Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. The recipe suggests microwaving them for 2 minutes on a microwave-safe plate to soften them slightly. This step is optional, but it can help reduce overall cooking time.
Hollow Out the Zucchini: Using a spoon or melon baller, scoop out the flesh of the zucchini halves. Be sure to leave a quarter-inch thickness of flesh on the sides and bottom to create sturdy "boats" that will hold the filling.
Chop and Set Aside the Zucchini Flesh: Once scooped out, chop the zucchini flesh into small pieces. Set this aside, as you'll be adding it to the filling later.

Assembling the Base:

Prepare Baking Dish: Pour a half cup of your chosen marinara sauce into the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish. This will prevent the zucchini boats from sticking and add a layer of flavor.
Place the Zucchini Boats: Carefully arrange the zucchini halves, cut-side up, in the baking dish with the marinara sauce.

Making the Filling:

Cook the Ground Meat and Vegetables: In a large nonstick pan, heat some cooking spray (not mentioned in the instructions, but recommended to prevent sticking). Add the ground beef, the chopped and scooped-out zucchini flesh you set aside, the diced onions, and the minced garlic. Cook the mixture over medium heat until the ground beef is browned throughout.
Drain Fat: Once browned, transfer the mixture to a colander and drain any excess fat. This helps keep the overall dish lower in fat.
Season and Simmer the Filling: Return the drained meat mixture to the pan. Add another half cup of marinara sauce, the Italian seasonings, a little salt, and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine everything and simmer for about 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Filling and Baking the Boats:

Fill the Zucchini Boats: Carefully spoon a rounded ⅓ cup of the cooked filling mixture into each zucchini boat. Gently press down on the filling to ensure it's compact and fits well.
Top with Sauce and Cheese: On top of the filling in each boat, add 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of Parmesan cheese.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap steam and create a more even baking process. Bake the zucchini boats in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and cooked through.

Finishing Touches and Serving:

Optional Extra Cheese: After 35 minutes, remove the baking dish from the oven and uncover it. If desired, you can sprinkle an additional teaspoon of Parmesan cheese over each zucchini boat for extra cheesy goodness.
Serve and Enjoy!: Carefully use a spatula to scoop out each zucchini boat and transfer it to a serving plate. Spoon some of the remaining sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over each serving for extra flavor. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Skinny Italian Zucchini Boats!

Helpful Tips About this Recipe

Makes 4 servings. Each serving, 1 stuffed zucchini boat.

WW Freestyle SmartPoints 5-Blue
WW SmartPoints 5-Green

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 stuffed zucchini boat
187 calories, 4g fat, 1g sat. fat, 15g prot, 23g carbs, 5g fiber, 646mg sod, 12g sugar

FACTS: for Freestyle SmartPoints
145 calories, 1g sat. fat, 9g sugar, 13g protein