Introduction

If you’re looking for a delicious, low-carb dish that’s packed with flavor, these Cheesy Hamburger and Rice Stuffed Zucchini Boats are the perfect option. Juicy ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheese come together in hollowed-out zucchini, creating a satisfying and healthy meal. This dish combines the savory goodness of a cheeseburger with the wholesome texture of zucchini, all baked to perfection and topped with gooey cheese. Whether you’re looking for a creative way to use zucchini or a weeknight meal that’s easy and family-friendly, this recipe is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients:

For the Zucchini Boats:

• 4 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or a mix)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

For Garnish (optional):

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• Extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

Preparation:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a large baking dish or sheet with cooking spray or a little olive oil and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Zucchini Boats

1. Wash the zucchinis and trim off the ends. Slice each zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the center flesh, leaving about ¼ inch around the edges to form “boats.” Save the scooped-out zucchini flesh for later use.
2. Place the hollowed-out zucchinis cut side up in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef Filling

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Stir in the chopped zucchini flesh (from Step 2), and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the mixture to soften and combine. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Stir in 1 cup of cooked rice and ½ cup of marinara or tomato sauce. Mix everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and well combined.

Step 4: Stuff the Zucchini Boats

1. Spoon the hamburger and rice mixture into each zucchini boat, filling them generously.
2. Top each stuffed zucchini with a spoonful of the remaining marinara sauce, followed by a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake the Zucchini Boats

1. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
2. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. The zucchinis should be tender but not mushy.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Once the zucchini boats are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.
2. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and extra flavor. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Cooking Notes:

• Zucchini Size: If your zucchinis are particularly large, you may need to increase the baking time slightly to ensure they’re tender. Alternatively, you can partially cook the zucchinis (without filling) for 5-10 minutes before adding the filling.
• Rice Options: You can use any type of rice you prefer, such as brown rice for added fiber, jasmine rice for a fragrant touch, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Cheese Choices: While cheddar and Parmesan are classic choices, you can experiment with mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for added flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• These Cheesy Hamburger and Rice Stuffed Zucchini Boats make a complete meal on their own, but you can also serve them with a light side salad or roasted vegetables for extra nutrients.
• For a heartier meal, serve with garlic bread or a side of mashed potatoes to complement the flavors.

Tips:

1. Meal Prep: You can make the filling in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, simply stuff the zucchinis and bake.
2. Freeze for Later: These zucchini boats freeze well. Assemble the boats but skip the baking step. Freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, bake from frozen, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
3. Vegetarian Version: Replace the ground beef with a meatless alternative like lentils, quinoa, or plant-based crumbles for a delicious vegetarian meal.
4. Extra Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms to the filling for more texture and flavor.

Prep Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 410
• Protein: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fat: 25g
• Sodium: 750mg
• Fiber: 4g

Conclusion

These Cheesy Hamburger and Rice Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a hearty, wholesome, and flavorful dish that brings together the best of comfort food and healthy ingredients. With tender zucchini filled with savory ground beef, rice, and topped with melted cheese, it’s a meal that will please the whole family. Whether you’re looking for a creative way to use zucchini or a satisfying dish for a weeknight dinner, these stuffed zucchini boats are sure to be a hit. Simple to prepare, customizable, and packed with deliciousness—what’s not to love?

Cheesy Hamburger and Rice Stuffed Zucchini Boats

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• Author: Imili Johnson
• Total Time: 55 minutes

Print Recipe

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Zucchini Boats:

• 4 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or a mix)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

For Garnish (optional):

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• Extra Parmesan cheese for sprinkling

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a large baking dish or sheet with cooking spray or a little olive oil and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Zucchini Boats

1. Wash the zucchinis and trim off the ends. Slice each zucchini lengthwise and use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the center flesh, leaving about ¼ inch around the edges to form “boats.” Save the scooped-out zucchini flesh for later use.
2. Place the hollowed-out zucchinis cut side up in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef Filling

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spatula, until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Stir in the chopped zucchini flesh (from Step 2), and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the mixture to soften and combine. Season with Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Stir in 1 cup of cooked rice and ½ cup of marinara or tomato sauce. Mix everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and well combined.

Step 4: Stuff the Zucchini Boats

1. Spoon the hamburger and rice mixture into each zucchini boat, filling them generously.
2. Top each stuffed zucchini with a spoonful of the remaining marinara sauce, followed by a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Bake the Zucchini Boats

1. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
2. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. The zucchinis should be tender but not mushy.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

1. Once the zucchini boats are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.
2. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil for a pop of color and extra flavor. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes

Nutrition

• Calories: 410
• Sodium: 750mg
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 27g