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This easy Italian Zucchini Boats recipe is easy to make and healthy, too at just 240 calories per serving. This recipe is gluten-free, low carb, and keto. Plus it costs just $10.76 for 6 servings!
Do your kids take one look at the meal you just made them and then proceed to tell you they don’t like it? Mine too! How frustrating is that? What do you tell them? I always say, “you’ll love this, I don’t make gross food.” In the end, they usually eat it and end up loving it. And I’m like who was right?!
This zucchini boat recipe was no different. I was looking for a healthier option for Italian dishes and opted for zucchini boats. The zucchini boats are stuffed full of goodness.
I guess because it had a different look than what my kids had seen before, they were thrown off. Cue the complaining. Ugh! I asked them to give it a try and they LOVED it. That makes for one happy mama.
Zucchini boats are fun to make. Not only that, they are healthy too! It’s a total win-win. Zucchini boats are baked to perfection. And the icing on the cake? Zucchini boats are easy to make, too! Score!
Italian Zucchini Boats Questions Answered:
Do you eat the skin on zucchini boats?
Yes and no. How’s that for an answer? LOL. It actually just depends on how the skin has been prepared. If the skin has been waxed you want to peel the skin first. However, if the skin has not been waxed then you can leave the skin on before baking.
How can you tell if zucchini is good?
If the skin of the zucchini is shiny or glossy this is a good one to pick. The zucchini should feel firm but also tender. The other way to tell if zucchini is good is by cutting into it. The inside should have a buttery-like texture while the flesh is yellow, greenish, or white.
Are large zucchini good to eat?
Do you know the saying bigger is better? Well, that is not the case with zucchini. Large zucchini tend to have a somewhat bitter taste and are sometimes even flavorless. The larger seeds tend to make for a higher water content which causes a pulpy texture. On the other hand, smaller zucchinis have a mild flavor with a fresh taste.
How to Make Zucchini Boats Recipe:
- First, Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a standard-size baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking sheet and set aside.
- Then, trim the ends off the zucchinis and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop and scrape the flesh out of the zucchini halves.
- Place the zucchini halves on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle each with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
- Next, in a large skillet set over medium-high heat add olive oil, onion, and ground turkey. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until the meat is browned. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the pasta sauce to the pan with the meat and simmer for 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Then, use a spoon to spoon the meat and sauce mixture into prepared zucchini boats.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Next, bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is fork-tender and the cheese is golden.
- Finally, allow the boats to cool for 5 minutes. Then top with chopped parsley and serve.
Get the kids involved with this recipe:
- Ages 2-3: Let them help season the zucchini boats as well as sprinkle the cheese on top. Make sure they keep a safe distance from the hot pan.
- Ages 4-5: Have them help spoon the meat mixture into the zucchini boats and sprinkle the cheese on top.
- Ages 6-8: Let them help cook the ground turkey, onions, and garlic.
- Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
- Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe, unsupervised, while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Discover why we love getting the kids involved in the kitchen and more tips in our How to Get Kids Involved In Cooking article.
The flavor and Recipe Variations:
- TACO ZUCCHINI BOATS: Make taco meat using ¾ pound of ground turkey and 1 can (drained and rinsed) of black beans. Use Mexican cheese instead of Mozzarella and cilantro instead of parsley. You can also add ½ cup of corn to the taco meat mixture.
What to Serve with Zucchini Boats:
More Healthy Recipes:
- 15-Minute Skillet Tilapia
- Crock Pot Greek Yogurt
- Dry Roasted Chickpeas
- Easy Chana Masala
- Easy Oven Baked Salmon
- Green Smoothie
- Grab and Go Yogurt Parfait Boxes
- Homemade Granola
- Mango Banana Smoothie
- Mexican Chicken Rice Bowls
- Zucchini Taco Boats
How long is this good for:
- Serve: The boats will keep for about 2 hours at room temperature before they will need to be refrigerated.
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: We do not recommend freezing zucchini boats, because upon defrosting the zucchini will be mushy.
How much will this Zucchini Boat recipe cost:
RECIPE COST: $10.76
PER SERVING COST: $1.80
NOTE: If you have a garden full of zucchini during the summertime, then this recipe will cost even less by using zucchini from your garden!
To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained.
- 6 medium zucchini – $3.90
- salt and pepper to taste – $0.02
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning – $0.07
- 2 teaspoons olive oil – $0.10
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced – $0.13
- 1 ½ pound ground turkey – $4.44
- 1 large garlic clove, minced – $0.05
- 2 cups pasta sauce – $1.12
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – $0.87
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley – $0.06
Cook’s Tools:
- cutting board
- chef’s knife
- spoon
- cookie sheet
- foil or silicone baking mat
- large skillet
- wooden spoon
Italian Zucchini Boats
Equipment
- cutting board
- chef's knife
- spoon
- cookie sheet
- foil or silicone baking mat
- large skillet
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 6 medium zucchini rinsed and dried
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 ½ pound ground turkey
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 2 cups pasta sauce
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
PREP THE OVEN AND PAN:
- Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a standard-size baking sheet with foil or a silicone baking sheet and set aside.
PREP THE ZUCCHINI:
- Trim the ends off the zucchinis and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop and scrape the flesh out of the zucchini halves.
- Place the zucchini halves on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle each with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
MAKE THE FILLING:
- In a large skillet set over medium-high heat add olive oil, onion, and ground turkey. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes or until the meat is browned. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the pasta sauce to the pan with the meat and simmer for 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
FILL ZUCCHINI BOATS:
- Use a spoon to spoon the meat and sauce mixture into prepared zucchini boats.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
BAKE AND SERVE:
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is fork-tender and the cheese is golden.
- Allow the boats to cool for 5 minutes. Then top with chopped parsley and serve.
Nutrition
This easy Italian Zucchini Boats recipe is easy to make and healthy, too at just 240 calories per serving. This recipe is gluten-free, low carb, and keto. Plus it costs just $10.76 for 6 servings!
Robin G says
This was just the thing I needed to satisfy my craving for Italian while staying on my diet 😀
Jess Jankowski says
That’s amazing! Woo hoo!
Liz says
I used to make a similar recipe years ago, but I never wrote it down. I was excited to try your version and it was delicious!! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Jess Jankowski says
So happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
Teresa says
WOW! I’ve seen these before but these look so much better. I’ve got to try them.
Jess Jankowski says
SO happy you found them!
Calvin says
Great idea, looks nice too.
Jess Jankowski says
Thank you! Our kids go nuts for these!