Low Carb & Keto Stuffed Zucchini Boats

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These easy Low Carb & Keto Stuffed Zucchini Boats are low in calories and carbs, high in protein, and packed with nutrition and flavor! Made with just a handful of ingredients, they're the perfect family-friendly weeknight meal.

If you're on a low carb diet or keto diet then I've got a great recipe for you! These Low Carb & Keto Stuffed Zucchini Boats are packed with healthy ingredients and Italian flavors.

Zucchini is such a versatile ingredient- you can use it in so many different ways. I make everything from air fryer zucchini to zucchini fritters, crispy zucchini fries, and kid-friendly zucchini tots. One of my favorites ways to prepare it is to make stuffed zucchini boats.

Your family will love these delicious zucchini boats made with a hearty meat filling and plenty of melty cheese. It's a tasty and satisfying dinner that will fill you up without weighing you down. Plus any leftovers are perfect to pack up for lunch the next day!

Jump to:

What are zucchini boats?
Are zucchini boats healthy?
Is zucchini keto friendly?
Ingredients
Step-by-step instructions
Chef's tips
Substitutions and variations
What to eat with zucchini boats
Recipe FAQs
More Low Carb & Keto Recipes
Recipe
Reviews

What are zucchini boats?

A zucchini boat is basically a fun name for stuffed zucchini. You make zucchini boats by slicing zucchini lengthwise, hollowing out the halves, and stuffing them with various ingredients. They kind of look like boats when they're filled, hence the name.

It's definitely a fun way to prepare zucchini. It's also a great way to get your kids to eat veggies. If you have kids, get them in the kitchen to help you stuff the boats. They'll love it (and they'll be more likely to eat it)!

Since these zucchini boats take a little time to assemble, I usually make them on the weekend when I have some extra time. Then on busy weeknights, I know I have a delicious and nutritious meal ready and waiting in the fridge!

Are zucchini boats healthy?

Yes! These stuffed zucchini boats are healthy. They're low in calories and carbs, high in protein, and packed with nutrients.

Zucchini is a very nutritious vegetable. It's low in calories and is packed with water and fiber. It’s a good source of several beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, especially vitamin C.

Is zucchini keto friendly?

Yes! Zucchini is a low starch vegetable and is an excellent choice if you're on a low carb or keto diet. For 1 cup of chopped zucchini with skin, you will get 3.9 g total carbs, 2.7 g net carbs, 0.4 g fat, and 1.5 g protein per the USDA.

These healthy Low Carb & Keto Stuffed Zucchini Boats have 34 grams of protein and only 9 grams of net carbs per serving. This makes them a nice low carb dinner option.

Looking for more keto recipes? Try my easy Keto Taco Casserole, which has all the flavors of tacos in simple, low-carb casserole.

Ingredients

These easy stuffed zucchini boats are made with just a handful of healthy ingredients.

Here's what you need to make this dish:

Medium or large zucchini- this is the star ingredient! Choose zucchini that are large enough to be able to stuff easily. Try and select zucchini that are straight with minimal curve (they will be easier to hollow out and stuff).
Ground turkey or ground beef- I use ground turkey but you can use either one. See the section below for more substitution ideas.
Onion- I typically use yellow onion but you can use any type
Marinara sauce- adds so much flavor and saves you from having to make homemade sauce (but if you want to make homemade marinara sauce, you can use my Simple Tomato Sauce recipe). Look for brands of marinara sauce that have no added sugar like Rao's Homemade marinara sauce.
Cheese- I use a mixture of mozzarella and parmesan

Step-by-step instructions

See recipe card below for full instructions and cook time.

collage of steps 1 and 2 for making zucchini boats.

Step 1- Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out the zucchini flesh leaving a ¼-inch border. The easiest way to do this is with a melon baller- it works great! If you don't have one, you can use a small spoon. Reserve the scooped out zucchini flesh- you will use it in the filling.
Step 2- Place the zucchini boats in a large (13x9-inch) baking dish or on a sheet pan, cut side up. Start baking them in the oven at 375°F while you make the filling.

collage of steps 3 through 6 for making zucchini boats.

Step 3- Make the meat filling. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, ground turkey or beef, and reserved zucchini flesh. Cook until meat is browned.
Step 4- Stir in the marinara sauce.
Step 5- Spoon the filling into the zucchini boats.
Step 6- Top them with a mixture of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Pop the zucchini boats back in the oven and bake until zucchini is cooked through and cheese is melted.

Chef's tips

Choose zucchini that are medium to large. You want them big enough to stuff easily. Also, choose zucchini that are straight rather than curved. They will be easier to hollow out and stuff.
If the zucchini boats are rolling around a lot, cut a thin slice off the bottom to create a flat surface. This will prevent them from rolling and will make them easier to stuff and bake.
I like to partially bake my empty zucchini boats while I make the filling to save time. Then, after they're stuffed, I bake them a little longer until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted.

Substitutions and variations

What I love about this dish is that it's endlessly customizable! There are so many different ingredients and flavors you can use to make different types of zucchini boats.

Here are a few ideas:

You can use other types of ground meat like ground beef, chicken or even use Italian sausage. I've also made this dish vegetarian using Beyond Beef, which is plant-based ground beef.
Instead of Italian flavors, you can make Tex-Mex zucchini boats with chili powder and salsa instead of marinara sauce. You can even make zucchini taco boats with leftover taco meat from taco night! Top them with a dollop of sour cream.
You can make Buffalo chicken zucchini boats with shredded chicken, hot sauce, and blue cheese
Try making barbecue chicken zucchini boats with shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, and cheddar cheese
To add a boost of veggies to this dish, you can add some sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms or spinach
You can substitute other types of cheese for the mozzarella and parmesan. For a Tex-Mex version, try cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack. To make a creamier meat filling, you can add some cream cheese.

What to eat with zucchini boats

If you're following a low carb diet, you can serve these keto zucchini boats with cauliflower rice, my air fryer spaghetti squash, cauliflower cheesy bread or keto (cauliflower) mac and cheese.

Or try one of my low carb vegetable side dishes like Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Marcona Almond Pesto or Perfect Air Fryer Asparagus.

If you're not watching your carbs, you can serve these zucchini boats with pasta or polenta.

Recipe FAQs

Are zucchini boats healthy?

Yes, these stuffed zucchini boats are healthy. They're low in calories and carbs, high in protein, and packed with nutrients.

Is zucchini keto?

Yes, zucchini is a low starch vegetable and is an excellent choice if you're on a low carb or keto diet. For 1 cup of chopped zucchini with skin, you will get 3.9 g total carbs, 2.7 g net carbs, 0.4 g fat, and 1.5 g protein per the USDA.

Can you eat zucchini skin?

Yes, zucchini skin is thin, soft, and perfectly edible. The skin of the zucchini also contains many beneficial nutrients. Just remember to wash the zucchini first, just like with any other vegetable.

How do you store zucchini boats?

These zucchini boats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. They can be reheated in the oven, microwave or air fryer. They can be frozen for up to 3 months but keep in mind that zucchini tends to get mushy when frozen. Another option is to make and freeze just the meat filling ahead of time. Then when you're ready to make the dish, you can defrost the filling, spoon it into fresh zucchini, top with cheese, and bake.

More Low Carb & Keto Recipes

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