How to make the best cheese stuffed zucchini boats recipe. This meatless dinner is healthy and uses Italian seasoning and a variety of cheeses to make an awesome vegetarian meal. It's a simple and easy supper that's keto, whole 30, low carb, and paleo friendly (just leave out the breadcrumbs).
In my neck of the woods, stuffed vegetables usually involve hamburger, tomato sauce and rice, or crab meat.
None of these fillings really thrill me, and I often avoid them.
At the same time, I love veggies, especially when they are fresh from my garden. I love to make them the focal point of a meal.
A few years ago, I came up with this recipe in response to a glut of zucchini and summer squash from said garden.
This filling is wonderful and would be tasty stuffed inside any number of foods, including bread, tomatoes, other types of squash, mushrooms, and almost anything else. It's so creamy and delicious!
I've also tried this filling with the addition of shredded chicken or pork. It was also really good that way. It's versatile.
What you'll need to make the best cheese stuffed baked zucchini
How to Make the Best Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
- Preheat the oven to 350º.
- Cut a medium to large zucchini in half and scoop out the seeds. Discard. Scoop out some flesh to make a shell and place the shells in a baking dish.
- Grate or finely chop the zucchini flesh. Sauté the chopped onion and zucchini flesh in olive oil until soft.
- Mix cream cheese, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, onion and zucchini, and bread crumbs (if using). Spoon into zucchini shells in the baking dish.
- Bake for about one hour, or until zucchini is tender and filling is hot and melty. Cool slightly before serving.
A note on the breadcrumbs
The breadcrumbs in this recipe do lend the dish a nice Italian flavor, but they are not completely necessary. I used them the first couple of times I made this, but then stopped. I no longer use them and the cheese filling in the stuffed zucchini comes out just as well. Use them if you want to, leave them out if you prefer.
Check out these other zucchini dishes while you're here:
- Spicy Sriracha Shrimp with Peanut Zucchini Noodles
- Zucchini Noodles with Garlic, Lemon, & Parmesan
- Chicken Piccata with Zucchini Noodles
- Zucchini Sausage Egg Muffins Recipe (Gluten-Free and Low Carb)
- Zucchini Quiche (Gluten-Free)
- How to Make the Best Grilled Zucchini and Squash
Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened (low fat tastes just as good as the full fat version in this recipe)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic pressed
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1 handfuls Italian bread crumbs optional, can be gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Cut zucchini in half and scoop out seeds. Discard. Scoop out some flesh to make a shell. Place shells in a baking dish.
- Grate zucchini flesh. Sauté onion and zucchini flesh in olive oil until soft.
- Mix cream cheese, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, onion and zucchini, and bread crumbs. Spoon into zucchini shells in the baking dish.
- Bake for about one hour, or until zucchini is tender and filling is hot and melty. Cool slightly before serving.
[email protected] says
Really looks great!!!
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Dominique says
Aww.. never knew zuchini's could be cooked that way.. can't wait to try it out:)
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..TT- Combining Sites =-.
Dominique says
Aww.. never knew zuchini's could be cooked that way.. can't wait to try it out:)
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..TT- Combining Sites =-.
Prerna says
Wow.. That is such a yummy zucchini dish.. Let me try it out tonight and hopefully, my toddler will love it!!
Thanks for sharing this
.-= Prerna´s last blog ..Being a Writer : Writing for Suite 101 =-.
Prerna says
Wow.. That is such a yummy zucchini dish.. Let me try it out tonight and hopefully, my toddler will love it!!
Thanks for sharing this
.-= Prerna´s last blog ..Being a Writer : Writing for Suite 101 =-.
Malia says
Wow! I'm trying not to drool on my keyboard! I'm bookmarking this recipe and getting me some zucchini this weekend.
.-= Malia´s last blog ..Tethered =-.
JustMalia says
Wow! I'm trying not to drool on my keyboard! I'm bookmarking this recipe and getting me some zucchini this weekend.
.-= Malia´s last blog ..Tethered =-.
t says
This looks really good!
.-= t´s last blog ..Wedding Card =-.
t says
This looks really good!
.-= t´s last blog ..Wedding Card =-.
Holly says
I am working on a Vegetarian recipes page for my website and would love to include this recipe? May I have your permission to do so?
Thank yo!
.-= Holly´s last blog ..Sep 14, Healthy snacks for kids: Snacking is a great way to add more nutrition to your c =-.
Holly says
I am working on a Vegetarian recipes page for my website and would love to include this recipe? May I have your permission to do so?
Thank yo!
.-= Holly´s last blog ..Sep 14, Healthy snacks for kids: Snacking is a great way to add more nutrition to your c =-.
Robyns Online World says
I made this last night - YUM! http://robynsonlineworld.blogspot.com/2009/09/taras-cheese-stuffed-zucchini.html
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Wii Family Party Outdoor Fun & Giveaway =-.
Robyn's Online World says
I made this last night - YUM! http://robynsonlineworld.blogspot.com/2009/09/taras-cheese-stuffed-zucchini.html
.-= Robyns Online World´s last blog ..Wii Family Party Outdoor Fun & Giveaway =-.
Tiffany Eat at Home says
I love veggie dishes like this. Scrumptious!
Bonnie says
That would look nice, but I would dice the zucchini and put it on the bottom
Tara Ziegmont says
That's a great idea! Thanks for the tip.