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Turkey stuffed zucchini boats topped with bubbling mozzarella and marinara in a white baking dish

Turkey Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe: 50-Minute Dinner

Zucchini halves get a saucy ground turkey and marinara filling, then bake under bubbling mozzarella until tender. The shells scoop out in minutes, so the whole dish is on the table in about 50 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients
  

  • 4 medium zucchini about 8 oz each
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 small onion diced, about 1/2 cup
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt divided
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce divided
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella part-skim
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan finely grated

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 400 °F. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the center with a spoon, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Chop the scooped flesh (about 1 cup) and set aside. Arrange the shells cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the ground turkey, onion, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Cook 7-8 minutes, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink.
  3. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook 30 seconds. Stir in the chopped zucchini flesh and cook 3 minutes, until softened. Pour in 1 cup of the marinara and simmer 2 minutes.
  4. Spoon the turkey mixture into the zucchini shells, mounding it slightly. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup marinara and the mozzarella.
  5. Bake 20-22 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.
  6. Rest 5 minutes, then finish with the Parmesan.