Stuffed Cheesy Beef Zucchini Boats
I love recipes that come together using ingredients I already have on hand—and this was one of those moments! I had zucchini, ground beef, onion, garlic, no sugar added spaghetti sauce, and cheese in the fridge, so I whipped up these easy Stuffed Cheesy Beef Zucchini Boats.
It’s a basic, satisfying low-carb meal:
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Chopped onions and garlic
- No sugar added spaghetti sauce
- 2 medium zucchini, halved and hollowed
- Topped with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan
Pop them in the oven until bubbly and golden, and you’ve got a simple, low-effort dinner packed with flavor. Serve alone or with a traditional dinner salad. This recipe really satisfies that urge to eat carb laden Italian food.
Estimated Nutritional Info (per serving, makes 4 servings):
- Calories: ~325
- Fat: 22g
- Protein: 24g
- Net Carbs: ~6g
(This may vary slightly depending on the brand of sauce and cheese you use)
Why I Love Ground Beef for Low-Carb Meals
I almost always have ground beef in my fridge or freezer—it’s versatile, budget-friendly, and perfect for quick keto-friendly meals. If you’re looking to keep things low carb, here are a few other great dishes you can make with ground beef:
Low-Carb Ground Beef Meal Ideas:
- Taco salad with avocado and sour cream (no shell)
- Stuffed bell peppers with cauliflower rice
- Beef and veggie stir-fry with coconut aminos
- Cheeseburger lettuce wraps
- Low-carb shepherd’s pie with mashed cauliflower
- Egg roll in a bowl
- Meatza (meat-based crust pizza)
- Beef-stuffed mushrooms
- Zucchini lasagna
- Cabbage and ground beef skillet
Cheesy Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 small onion finely chopped (optional – adds a few carbs)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup sugar-free marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley or basil optional garnish
Instructions
- Prep the zucchini:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the center with a spoon, leaving about 1/4-inch thick shells.
- Lightly brush or spray with olive oil, and place them in a baking dish, cut side up.
- Bake for 10 minutes to soften.
- Make the beef filling:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned.
- Add onion (if using) and garlic; cook until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Let simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
- Stuff and bake:
- Spoon the beef mixture into the zucchini boats.
- Top each with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan.
- Return to oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
- Enjoy hot, optionally with a dollop of sour cream or extra marinara on the side.