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. It makes a great vegetarian meal or a tasty side dish alongside something meaty.
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 or ground turkey, ground beef, or Italian sausage. It is also really good with these additions. It's versatile.
What you'll need to make the best cheese stuffed baked zucchini
See printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.
- Medium zucchini - If the zucchini is too small, the boats will hold virtually no filling, and then what's the point? But if they're too big, they will be all filling, and you won't have any yummy zucchini flavor. Plus, the skins on the really big ones get really tough and woody.
- Softened cream cheese - Low-fat tastes just as good as the full-fat version in this recipe. If you've forgotten to leave it out to soften, you can microwave it for 30 seconds and then beat it a bit with a rubber spatula.
- Italian seasoning - You can also use a dash of salt and pepper if you want.
- Chopped onion - This gives the filling mixture a sweet flavor. I like to use sweet Vidalia onions, but you can use whatever variety you have.
- Fresh garlic - I love fresh garlic, and there is no substitute for its flavor. Garlic powder and garlic from a jar are cheap substitutes and do not have the same flavor.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese - This makes the filling creamy and gooey and so delicious. You can also add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
- Italian bread crumbs - These are optional, for a bit of crunch on top of the cheese. It's fine to use gluten-free breadcrumbs or leave them out altogether.
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 pulp. Sauté the chopped onion and zucchini pulp in olive oil over medium high heat until soft.
- Mix cream cheese, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, onion and zucchini, and bread crumbs (if using). Spoon into zucchini shells in the baking pan.
- 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.
Why is there no marinara sauce?
I really like this recipe with just the cheese filling, but a lot of people think stuffed zucchini needs to have marinara or meat sauce mixed in. I don't recommend mixing it into the filling, but if you really feel like you need it, you can spoon some over the top of the cooked zucchini boats.
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
Recipe
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.
TheAngelForever says
That looks amazing! We will have to try this out soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
TheAngelForever says
That looks amazing! We will have to try this out soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
michelle says
I really want to try this! I love zucchini, but my family; kids and husband wont really eat it! Maybe they'll try this! yum! I also just posted about Italian bread crumbs on my last post; too funny.
Amy @ Finer Things says
Oh, yum! And I have everything on hand... especially the "glut" of zucchini from the garden!
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Mommy, Come Home: Productivity =-.
Amy @ Finer Things says
Oh, yum! And I have everything on hand... especially the "glut" of zucchini from the garden!
.-= Amy @ Finer Things´s last blog ..Mommy, Come Home: Productivity =-.
Snow White says
delicious! thanks.
.-= Snow White´s last blog ..Honey Oat Bread =-.
Snow White says
delicious! thanks.
.-= Snow White´s last blog ..Honey Oat Bread =-.
darnold23 says
I hope you will come join me for Crock Pot Wednesday at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com. Mister Linky is up and ready for your entry.
.-= darnold23´s last blog ..CROCKPOT BEEF BURGUNDY: My Tribute to Julia Child =-.
darnold23 says
I hope you will come join me for Crock Pot Wednesday at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com. Mister Linky is up and ready for your entry.
.-= darnold23´s last blog ..CROCKPOT BEEF BURGUNDY: My Tribute to Julia Child =-.
michelle says
I really want to try this! I love zucchini, but my family; kids and husband wont really eat it! Maybe they'll try this! yum! I also just posted about Italian bread crumbs on my last post; too funny.
Anonymous says
I've used something similar to this in stuffed mushrooms before but I honestly hadn't even considered stuffing anything else with it! Thanks so much for sharing =D
.-= mub´s last blog ..Mini Cheese Tartlets =-.
mub says
I've used something similar to this in stuffed mushrooms before but I honestly hadn't even considered stuffing anything else with it! Thanks so much for sharing =D
.-= mub´s last blog ..Mini Cheese Tartlets =-.
Ave @ Made In Canarias says
This looks so delicious! Great shot!
.-= Ave @ Made In Canarias´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday =-.
Ave @ Made In Canarias says
This looks so delicious! Great shot!
.-= Ave @ Made In Canarias´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday =-.
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
I still have zucchini coming out my ears. This is a great recipe to add!
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Watermelon Cupcakes =-.
Andrea McMann says
Ooh! That makes me wish I had a glut of zucchini here! 🙂 YUM!
Andrea McMann says
Ooh! That makes me wish I had a glut of zucchini here! 🙂 YUM!
Raise Them Up says
This sounds wonderful! I can't wait to try it!
Raise Them Up says
This sounds wonderful! I can't wait to try it!
Sherry says
I'm going to have to get some zucchini. Looks delish!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Whipped Honey Butter =-.
Liz@HoosierHomemade says
I still have zucchini coming out my ears. This is a great recipe to add!
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
.-= Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Watermelon Cupcakes =-.
Susie's Homemade says
That is a YUMMY tackle!!
Susie's Homemade says
That is a YUMMY tackle!!
Geri@heartnsolcooking says
Looks YUMMY!!! THANKS!!! Geri
.-= Geri@heartnsolcooking´s last blog .." KEY LIME PIE " =-.
Geri@heartnsolcooking says
Looks YUMMY!!! THANKS!!! Geri
.-= Geri@heartnsolcooking´s last blog .." KEY LIME PIE " =-.
Brenda says
My husband is not big on zucchini, but I bet I could get him to eat this!
SweetsLady says
I'm going to have to get some zucchini. Looks delish!
.-= Sherry´s last blog ..Whipped Honey Butter =-.
Brenda says
My husband is not big on zucchini, but I bet I could get him to eat this!
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
Really looks great!!!
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....The Tostada =-.
Lisa@Blessedwithgrace says
Really looks great!!!
.-= Lisa@Blessedwithgrace´s last blog ..Tempt My Tummy Tuesday....The Tostada =-.