When zucchini season rolls around, I am always looking for ways to use up zucchini. If it were up to me, we would live off of fried zucchini sandwiches all summer long like we did when we were old order Amish, but my husband needs more protein in his diet than that. My kids would simply eat canned pineapple zucchini all day long, but I feel it’s probably a little too sweet to eat with every meal (although we do enjoy it quite a bit). These pizza zucchini boats were a nice compromise and although my kids didn’t love the zucchini bottom as much as our regular sourdough pizza crust, I felt it was a very tasty way to use up zucchini while adding protein to the dish.
As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases. Follow along for Amish recipes (and more) and feel free to leave a rating and comment in the comment section below!
Pizza Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
Zucchini boats
- 2 large zucchini, halved, cored and ends removed 3 pounds total
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese fine textured
Meat sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef
- salt and pepper
- 1 pint (15 oz.) pizza sauce *see note
Toppings:
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- sliced pepperoni regular or mini
- fresh parsley or basil for garnish optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375:
- Prep the zucchini by cutting it in half lengthwise and removing the ends. Scoop out the seeds in the center leaving behind an oval center for the "boat" to hold the filling. Place onto a 13 by 18-inch cookie sheet with sides and season the zucchini lightly with salt and pepper. Combine oil, parmesan and garlic powder, then brush it onto the tops of the zucchini boats.
- Bake the zucchini boats in the preheated oven for ten minutes to get a headstart on softening them. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain the beef if needed, then add pizza sauce and allow to simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Divide the meat filling between the par-baked zucchini boats, filling until just slightly mounded on top. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, then return to the oven and continue baking for 20-25 minutes until the zucchini boats have softened to your preference when pierced with a fork.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh herbs on top if desired. Allow to cool slightly, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
Subscribe today and get free meal inspirations delivered to your doorstep!
Ingredients needed for these pizza boats: pizza sauce (I highly recommend my homemade pizza sauce), two medium/large zucchinis roughly 3 pounds total, salt and pepper, olive oil, parmesan, garlic powder, ground beef, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. Fresh herbs can be added as garnish but are optional.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375, then prep the zucchini by cutting it in half lengthwise and removing the ends. Scoop out the seeds in the center leaving behind an oval center for the “boat” to hold the filling. Place onto a cookie sheet, then season lightly with salt and pepper. Combine oil, parmesan and garlic powder, then brush it onto the tops of the zucchini boats.
Is the garlic parmesan topping necessary?
I recommend adding garlic and parmesan, along with seasoning the zucchini boats with salt and pepper before adding the fillings because the zucchini boats can be bland without. However, you could simply season the boats with salt and pepper, then brush on a little olive oil on top before baking.
Step 2: Bake the zucchini boats in the preheated oven for ten minutes to get a headstart on softening them. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain the beef if needed, then add pizza sauce and allow to simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Step 3: Divide the meat filling between the par-baked zucchini boats, filling until just slightly mounded on top. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, then return to the oven and continue baking for 20-25 minutes until the zucchini boats are soft when pierced with a fork.
Final steps: Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh herbs on top if desired. Allow to cool slightly, then serve and enjoy!
What can be paired with these zucchini boats?
If you are looking for a light side, I would recommend broccoli salad or chicken curried cobb salad. Fresh copycat Pizza Hut breadsticks or copycat Olive Garden breadsticks would pair nicely with these zucchini boats too! For a quick, no rise bread side I usually whip up a batch of copycat Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits (I know, I must be obsessed with copycat recipes).
Storage notes:
Keep leftover zucchini boats refrigerated either tightly wrapped or in an airtight container. I do not recommend freezing them because zucchini breaks down and becomes mushy in the freezer.
Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely day! Feel free to pin or print this recipe using the icons in the recipe card, but please leave a comment and recipe rating in exchange. Thank you for your support! -Marilyn Stoltzfus Peight
