Summer squash season is just around the corner, and as usual, zucchini is the leader of the pack. This sweet summertime squash makes a wonderful appetizer or side dish, but how to make it a meal? Stuff it! Zucchini boats are the perfect way to make an otherwise light veggie side into a hearty and filling meal.
To make zucchini boats, simply scoop the flesh out of the zucchini halves, stuff them with a filling of your choice, and Voila! You have a meal, and a creative way to use up all the zucchini in your garden—not to mention it’s a low-carb alternative to your favorite meaty and cheesy dishes. Keep reading for our 15 best zucchini boats you’ll want to make all summer long.
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Stuffed Zucchini
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“Delicious,” says reviewer CYARHIA. “I didn’t have a lot of excitement for this one but I had a lot of zucchini to use so I tried it and was pleasantly surprised! Tastes like lasagna but so much healthier!” This is our most popular stuffed zucchini recipe, with over 500 glowing reviews.
Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
“This was a very simple quick dinner with lots of flavor,” says Allrecipes member PoliteMango2813 My toddler enjoyed helping me prepare by crushing up the crackers. Thank you!
Zucchini Boats on the Grill
AllrecipesPhoto
When summer squash meets the grill you have the ultimate summertime side dish. Stuff the summer squash and you have the ultimate summertime meal! “I make these all the time and you can just about throw anything in them,” says reviewer JUDE2666.
Chef John’s Taco-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Chef John
Taco Tuesday just went low-carb. Chef John says that zucchini “is not very exciting, interesting, or fun to eat, which is basically the opposite of a taco.” Using a spiced taco meat to stuff zucchini halves turns them into something amazing.
Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini
France C
“Here’s a delicious way to solve the problem of those too-big zucchinis ballooning in your garden at the end of the summer: zucchini boats baked and stuffed with lamb, feta, pine nuts, tomatoes, and more. It’s just like your mother used to make, but with an exotic Mediterranean twist,” says recipe creator Larry Short.
Zucchini with Chickpea and Mushroom Stuffing
Kim
This is an entirely vegetarian take on zucchini boats. Recipe creator jackie says, “A great vegetable dish that can be used as a centerpiece or as a side. Can be lovely when served with tomato based sauce and a green vegetable, or I have even had them with traditional roasted vegetables at Christmas.”
Easy Stuffed Zucchini
Shawn Uhlman
This simple recipe features zucchini packed full of meat, jarred sauce, and cheese — what’s not to love? “I can’t even tell you how good this is,” says reviewer FLFeline. “I followed the directions exactly and I served it with a salad and garlic bread. This one is now a permanent part of my go-to recipes!”
Cheese and Sausage Stuffed Zucchini
BRBayless
“With an overabundance of squash, this is my summer to have a zucchini dish nearly every night,” says reviewer By the Lake. “We don’t mind! I made it exactly as the recipe called for. No changes need to be made.” Italian sausage, cheese, and seasoning make an otherwise boring zucchini into a hearty, flavorful meal.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Destin-Lisa Ocheltree
“In this recipe zucchini are hollowed into ‘boats’ and stuffed with bread crumbs, Cheddar cheese, onion, parsley, egg and Parmesan cheese. A hearty side dish or main meal,” says recipe creator Debbie.
Stuffed Zucchini Casserole
LYNNINMA
“This was a wonderful way to use zucchini,” says reviewer bobthecow24. “I grew some monster zucchinis in my garden this year and wasn’t sure what to do with them. This fit the bill perfectly.”