Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Beef and Feta

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a Mediterranean getaway without leaving your kitchen? Ever wondered how to stuff zucchini ? This recipe for Stuffed Zucchini with Meat and cheese is exactly what you need! It's bursting with flavour and surprisingly easy.

Brief Overview

Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Meat is a classic dish with roots in Mediterranean cuisine. It's easier than you think. Prep takes about 25 minutes.

Baking is another 35. This recipe makes 4 servings, perfect for a family dinner.

Main Benefits

Looking for a Healthy Stuffed Zucchini Dinner ? This recipe is packed with protein and fibre. Perfect for a weeknight meal.

What makes these Baked Stuffed Zucchini Boats so special? The combination of savoury meat, creamy feta, and fresh herbs is simply divine.

I once served these at a BBQ. They were gone in minutes!

What You Need to Make Amazing Zucchini Boats With Meat

Okay, let's talk ingredients. You'll need zucchini, obviously. Ground beef is the star of the show. A bit of rice and tomatoes round things out. Don't forget the feta!

Here's the full list:

• Four medium zucchinis.
• One tablespoon of olive oil.
• One small onion.
• Two cloves of garlic.
• One pound of ground beef.
• One-half cup of cooked rice.
• One-half cup of canned diced tomatoes.
• One-quarter cup of chopped fresh parsley.
• One-quarter cup of chopped fresh mint.
• One teaspoon of dried oregano.
• One-half teaspoon of salt.
• One-quarter teaspoon of black pepper.
• Four ounces of feta cheese.

Now, what about equipment? A skillet is essential. You'll also need a baking dish. A spoon or melon baller helps with scooping.

A mixing bowl is needed to assemble the filling. That's all there is to it!

step-by-step: Easy Stuffed Zucchini Recipe

First, preheat your oven to 375° F. Halve the zucchinis. Scoop out the insides. Save the flesh for later. Next, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil.

Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off the grease. I always forget this step. It makes a big difference!

Stir in the zucchini flesh, rice, tomatoes, herbs, salt, and pepper. Cook for five minutes. Fill the zucchini halves with the meat mixture.

Top with feta. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The feta should be golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges.

Enjoy your Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini .

Let's Talk Ingredients & Equipment for Stuffed Zucchini with Meat and Loveliness!

Right, so before we dive headfirst into making these Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Meat , let's gather our bits and bobs.

Honestly, don't let the list scare you. It's simpler than it looks! The beauty of this Easy Stuffed Zucchini Recipe is that it's so adaptable.

Main Ingredients

Okay, here's the breakdown. If you want to make Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini , here's what you need:

• 4 medium zucchini (about 8 inches/ 20 cm long). Halved, mind you.
• 1 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for drizzling). Don't skimp on the good stuff.
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup / 115 g).
• 2 cloves garlic, minced.
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground lamb for a proper traditional flavour), ( 450 g).
• 1/2 cup cooked rice (white or brown), ( 100 g).
• 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained, ( 115 g).
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Fresh is best, innit?
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint.
• 1 tsp dried oregano.
• 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste).
• 1/4 tsp black pepper (plus more to taste).
• 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup), ( 115 g).
• Optional: Fresh lemon wedges, for serving. Adds a bit of zing!

For the zucchini, you want them firm and evenly green. No bruises or soft spots, yeah? And for the beef, go for lean if you are aiming for a Healthy Stuffed Zucchini Dinner .

Seasoning Notes

Right, spices. Essential bit. We are aiming for that Greek Stuffed Zucchini with Feta vibe.

Oregano is key . It's that Mediterranean flavour we are after.

Parsley and mint brighten everything up.

You can substitute dried herbs for fresh, but halve the amount. Dried herbs are more concentrated, you know? A bit of spice with red pepper flakes can kick it up.

Equipment Needed

Let's get the kit sorted.

• Large skillet. For browning the meat. Obvs.
• Baking dish (9x13 inch / 23x33 cm). Size matters!
• Small spoon or melon baller. For scooping out the zucchini.
• Mixing bowl. For mixing.

A potato peeler is very helpful with How To Stuff Zucchini . You don't need fancy gadgets. A normal spoon will do, in a pinch!

Don't have a massive baking dish? Use two smaller ones. Just keep an eye on them.

Remember my attempt at Baked Stuffed Zucchini Boats when I didn't have a big enough pan? I had to use a casserole dish and they kinda steamed instead of baking.

Still tasted good, but learn from my mistakes! Next time, I will just use a bigger dish, like the right size!

Alright, let's dive into making some seriously delicious Stuffed Zucchini with Meat and cheese! Seriously, these aren't your grandma's bland veggies.

These Zucchini Boats With Meat are bursting with Mediterranean flavor. I promise you’ll love this Healthy Stuffed Zucchini Dinner , and it's way easier than you think.

Prep Like a Pro for Your Stuffed Zucchini Masterpiece

Essential Mise en Place: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Before you even think about turning on the hob, let's get organized. It's what makes a good cook, a great cook.

Halve 4 medium zucchinis lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh leaving a border about 1/4 inch thick. Chop the flesh you scooped out.

You'll need 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup cooked rice, 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup each of fresh parsley and mint, 1 tsp oregano, salt, pepper, and 4 oz of feta cheese.

Phew !

Time Saving Tips: Beat the Clock

Honestly, sometimes I'm the queen of procrastination. But! You can cook the rice ahead of time. You could even brown the ground beef the night before. Prepping those ingredients early saves time.

Stuffed Zucchini: step-by-step to Deliciousness

How To Stuff Zucchini: Simple Steps for Delicious Results

1. Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) .
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 5 minutes, then add the garlic for 1 minute.
3. Brown the ground beef. Drain off any excess grease, nobody wants that.
4. Stir in the chopped zucchini flesh, rice, tomatoes, parsley, mint, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
5. Arrange the zucchini halves in a baking dish. Fill each with the meat mixture.
6. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
7. Bake for 30- 35 minutes , until the zucchini is tender and the feta is golden.

Zucchini Stuffed Boats: Pro Tips for a Perfect Finish

Don't Overfill

Overfilling the Baked Stuffed Zucchini Boats just leads to a mess in the oven. I know, I've been there. Be gentle! Nobody wants a meat explosion in the oven.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Soggy zucchini is the enemy! Lightly salt the inside of the Zucchini Stuffed Boats after scooping out the flesh. This draws out moisture. Pat them dry before filling.

So, there you have it! This Easy Stuffed Zucchini Recipe is a total winner. I love how versatile it is.

Try a Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Recipe if you are a carnivore, or even a Stuffed Zucchini with Rice and Herbs for a healthy option.

Enjoy.

Recipe Notes for Epic Stuffed Zucchini with Meat and Goodness

Alright, so you're about to dive into making these amazing Stuffed Zucchini Boats With Meat , huh? Awesome! These recipe notes are here to make your life easier.

Honestly, I've made these a ton of times. I learned some things the hard way! Let's avoid those, shall we?

Serving: Let’s Get This Show on The Table!

Presentation matters, right? For plating, picture this: A bed of fresh rocket (arugula) with two Stuffed Zucchini Boats nestled on top.

A drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh parsley? Chef's kiss! Complement it with a simple Greek salad or some roasted lemon potatoes.

As for drinks, a crisp white wine (think Sauvignon Blanc) or even a sparkling water with a lemon wedge works wonders.

Trust me.

Storage: Keepin’ It Fresh

Got leftovers? No worries! For refrigeration, these babies will last for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Make sure they've cooled down completely first.

Freezing is an option, but the zucchini might get a bit soft. If you do freeze them, wrap them tightly individually in cling film, then place in a freezer bag.

They're good for about 2 months .

For reheating, I find the oven's best. Pop them in a preheated oven at 175° C ( 350° F) for about 15- 20 minutes , or until heated through.

Microwaving works in a pinch, but can make the zucchini a bit mushy. Just sayin'.

Variations: Your Zucchini Stuffed Boats , Your Way!

Okay, so maybe you're not a meat eater? No problem! For a dietary adaptation, swap the ground beef for lentils or quinoa.

It's equally delicious! Veggie variations are easy! You can try something similar to Stuffed Zucchini with Rice and Herbs

Got dietary restrictions? No worries. To make this a vegetarian recipe, use lentils instead of ground beef. You can even add extra veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers. It's totally customisable!

Seasonal ingredient swaps. In the autumn, consider using butternut squash instead of zucchini. It adds a lovely sweetness. Easy Stuffed Zucchini Recipe is perfect for any season, really.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness In A Boat

Each serving is around 350 calories , packing a good punch of protein and fibre. These Baked Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a decent source of vitamins, too! For key health benefits, think about the lean protein from the beef and the fibre from the zucchini.

It's a win-win!

So, go on and make these Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini . Have fun with it, and don't be afraid to experiment. You've got this! These Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini Recipe will wow everyone.