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Savory Zucchini Pizza Boats

savory zucchini pizza boats - featured image
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A quick and easy low-carb meal featuring zucchini halves filled with marinara sauce and melted cheese, perfect for a comforting and healthy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium zucchinis (about 8–10 inches long, firm and fresh)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim or fresh)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: sliced black olives or pepperoni
  • Optional: dairy-free cheese for vegan version

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Wash and dry the zucchinis. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Using a spoon or melon baller, carefully scoop out the seeds and some flesh to create a ¼-inch thick shell.
  3. Place the zucchini boats on a baking sheet, cut side up. Drizzle each with olive oil and season lightly with salt and black pepper.
  4. Roast the zucchini boats for 10 minutes to soften them slightly and reduce watery filling.
  5. While the boats roast, mix the marinara sauce with minced garlic and Italian seasoning in a bowl.
  6. Remove the boats from the oven and spoon marinara sauce evenly into each one without overloading.
  7. Top each with shredded mozzarella and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Add any optional toppings like olives or red pepper flakes.
  8. Return the boats to the oven and bake for another 12-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden and zucchini is tender but not mushy.
  9. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

[‘Do not scoop out too much zucchini flesh to keep the boats sturdy and prevent sogginess.’, ‘Roasting the zucchini before adding toppings reduces moisture and watery filling.’, ‘Use good quality marinara sauce for best flavor.’, ‘Mix mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for balance of meltiness and flavor.’, ‘Optional broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a bubbly golden crust, watching carefully to avoid burning.’, ‘Let boats rest a few minutes after baking to firm up the filling.’, ‘Prep ahead by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking; add extra baking time if baking from cold.’, ‘Freezing is possible before baking but may cause sogginess after thawing.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini pizza boats, low-carb pizza, easy dinner, healthy pizza, gluten-free, vegetarian, keto-friendly

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/savory-zucchini-pizza-boats-recipe-easy-homemade-low-carb-meal-ideas/