Zucchini Spaghetti Boats

Ingredients

  • 3 medium zucchini, about 6 ounces each
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (or ½ pound of each)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 ½ cups pasta sauce, divided
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

  • Step 1:

    Preheat oven to 400 F.

  • Step 2:

    Slice zucchini lengthwise and use a teaspoon to scrape out the center to create a ½ in thick shell (save your scrapings for the sauce). Brush with olive oil and set aside.

  • Step 3:

    Cook meat (or meats), onion, and garlic in a large skillet, over medium heat, until no pink remains.

  • Step 4:

    Add zucchini scrapings and cook and additional 2 – 3 minutes. Drain all liquid from the pan.

  • Step 5:

    Stir in one cup of pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp pepper, and salt to taste. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until thickened.

  • Step 6:

    Place zucchini in a large baking dish and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Step 7:

    Fill each zucchini with meat mixture. Top with remaining ½ cup pasta sauce and bake for 15 minutes.

  • Step 8:

    Remove from oven, top with cheeses and bake an additional 10 – 15 minutes, until the zucchini is soft and the cheese is bubbly.