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Zucchini boats with sausage are a great weeknight meal that pulls together quickly. We have several variations we make regularly and the kids love helping make them. It’s an easy way to help my kids get the nutrition they need with a meal the whole family loves.
Zucchini Boats
They’re naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and keto friendly. And who doesn’t love a warm, cheesy main dish? If your family is dairy-free though, then the cheese can easily be omitted.
This stuffed zucchini recipe frequently makes it onto our weekly meal plan because they’re so easy and versatile to make. The zucchini is scooped out to make room for fillings like bell pepper, sausage, and minced garlic.
I love how they’re a great meal on the go and also reheat well. I’ll wrap them up in foil and store them in the fridge until I’m ready to reheat them in the oven. You can wrap them in parchment paper first, then the foil so they aren’t cooking in aluminum in the oven.
I’ve even made these ahead to serve for breakfast on busy mornings. Way healthier than grabbing a donut!
Zucchini Boat Variations
You can easily customize them however you want by changing up the spices. You could do a lasagna flavor version with Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, or tomato sauce, and topped with parmesan cheese. Make a taco version with black beans, red bell pepper, ground turkey or beef, and taco seasoning.
Garnish it with red pepper flakes, oregano, or a drizzle of fresh olive oil if desired. They make a great main course, but double as a side dish when needed.
Choosing Your Zucchini
While large zucchini is great for zucchini bread, I prefer using more of a medium size here. The texture is a little better in the recipe. If the zucchini is too small though, there isn’t enough room to fit the toppings in.
Looking For More Zucchini Recipes?
Here are other ways to use up any zucchini you may have lying around!
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
- Zucchini Fritters Recipe
- Creamy Lemon Tarragon Zucchini
- 20-Minute Beef & Zucchini Stir-Fry
- Zucchini Lasagna Recipe
Stuffed Zucchini Sausage Boats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 medium bell pepper (diced)
- 2 TBSP coconut oil
- 1 lb ground sausage (or ground beef)
- 4 medium zucchini
- ¼ cup roasted red peppers (diced, optional)
- 2 eggs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp basil
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup shredded cheese (optional)
- sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Saute the onion and bell pepper for about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground sausage to the skillet and stir occasionally until cooked through.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside.
- Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a paring knife and spoon to scoop out (and keep!) the seeds and center of the zucchini flesh, leaving a hallowed out zucchini canoe with edges about ¼ inch thick.
- Dice the zucchini centers that you removed and add them to the meat and veggie mixture in the skillet.
- Add the diced, roasted red peppers, eggs, herbs, and spices to the skillet and stir well.
- Divide the meat mixture evenly among the zucchini halves and top with shredded cheese if desired.
- Bake in a baking dish or baking sheet for 25-30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese starts to bubble.
- Top with sour cream if desired and enjoy!
Notes
- I like to make extra and wrap them to reheat later for breakfast or lunch on the go.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Nutrition
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What’s your favorite way to eat zucchini or summer squash? Share below!
You say you wrap the leftovers for individual meals. Can these be wrapped and frozen to thaw and reheat later?
They can, just keep in mind that after freezing and thawing, the zucchini will be quite soft. The taste will be just fine though.