EASY STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Easy Stuffed Zucchini is a deliciously healthy side dish that’s perfect for summer dinners! Make this delightful microwave zucchini in just 15 minutes, with fresh, flavorful ingredients!

This zucchini boats recipe takes an amazing fresh vegetable and turns it into a healthy main or side dish. You can make this sausage stuffed zucchini completely in the microwave, or on a grill, either way you will have a sensational dish to enjoy in no time!

A Healthy Zucchini Side Dish

Plentiful zucchini is one of my favorite things about summertime! It feels like I gather it all from the garden and am constantly thinking about how I can incorporate it into each and every meal. This is an easy and delicious recipe that everyone enjoys. Zucchini is a very healthy vegetable packed with a lot of nutrition. Zucchini is also fairly cheap and easy to locate in stores if you don’t have a garden with a bountiful haul this year. You can make this recipe when you’re trying to eat lighter or when it’s too hot outside for a heavy meal.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Zucchini Recipe

• It won’t heat up the house. You can make this recipe on the grill or in the microwave, and it tastes great either way. Unlike the oven, which can raise the house a few degrees, this recipe keeps things cooler, making it perfect for hot summer days.
• Simple ingredients. We just use a handful of basic ingredients for this recipe, making it simple at heart. Add in some pine nuts or sausage if you want to, or leave it meatless, and it’s still delicious.
• Only takes a few minutes. This zucchini recipe takes only a few minutes to complete from prep to finish. Perfect for when you don’t want to spend too much time on your feet or when you’re in a hurry to make a healthy filling meal.

Stuffed Zucchini Ingredients

Zucchini– 2 medium zucchini are needed for this recipe, they will be halved down the middle to make 4 pieces.

Breadcrumbs– Use 2 tablespoons of dried breadcrumbs for thickening and binding this recipe together.

Olive oil– You will need 1 ½ teaspoons of olive oil to moisten the filling.

Parmesan cheese– Adding in 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese really elevates the flavor.

Tomato– Add in ½ of a small tomato for added acidic taste and freshness. Be sure to dice the tomato well.

Garlic– For even more amazing taste, use 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.

Thyme– Adding in ⅛ teaspoon of thyme will add a subtle earthy flavor to round everything out.

Salt– This will be added to taste, meaning you can use as much or as little as you’d like.

Additional stuffing stir-ins:

Pine nuts- You can add in 2 tablespoons of pine nuts for added texture. Since you don’t need much, consider buying the pine nuts from the bulk bin section of the grocery store!

Italian Sausage- For some added meat, feel free to mix in ¼ pound of cooked Italian sausage.

How to Make Easy Stuffed Zucchini

Prep Zucchini

Start by using a sharp knife to cut the zucchini lengthwise in half.

Then, use a spoon to scoop out the zucchini centers, leaving a ¼-inch thick shell (or boat). Be sure to reserve the zucchini flesh (the stuff you scooped), in a bowl to use for the filling.

Next, cook the zucchini boats on a microwave-safe plate, for about 2 minutes in the microwave.

Prepare Filling

After that, dice the reserved zucchini flesh and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Add in the olive oil, diced tomato, garlic, and thyme. Stir well to combine.

Cook on high in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until tender. Make sure to stir halfway through cooking.

Then stir in the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese into the vegetable mixture, season with salt, stir again to combine well.

Assemble

Proceed to pile equal amounts of filling onto each of your zucchini boats. Arrange the zucchini in a microwave safe baking dish with the stem ends towards the edge of the pan.

Cook

Put the zucchini back in the microwave and cook, covered, on high for 2-3 minutes until hot. Let stand loosely covered for 2 minutes to cool slightly.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Try This Zucchini Grilled!

If desired, you can grill this recipe instead. To do this, place the stuffed zucchini in a grill basket and grill for about 10 minutes. This will add a nice smokey flavor and beautiful char lines to your zucchini.

How long are stuffed zucchinis good for?

This dish is best served immediately after being made, but if you plan to meal prep it or wish to stretch it further, you can. You can get the zucchini to last up to 3 or 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat again before serving.

What do you serve with stuffed zucchini?

Serve up your easy stuffed zucchini with a side of just about anything. If you’re trying to keep the meal healthy, adding a little brown rice, chicken or salmon would be a good choice. Other options include different veggies like broccoli or serving it with a simple soup.

Here are some more Zucchini Recipes you’ll enjoy!

• Best Zucchini Bread Recipe Ever! 
• Zucchini Sausage Soup
• Lemon Zucchini Muffins
• Pineapple Zucchini Bread
• Garden Zucchini Chowder
• Zucchini Sheet Cake with Browned Butter Icing
• Low Fat Zucchini Cookies
• Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Zucchini Risotto
• Easy Zucchini Pasta
• Pudding Zucchini Bread
• Apple Zucchini Bread

Easy Stuffed Zucchini is a deliciously healthy side dish that’s perfect for summer dinners! Make this delightful microwave zucchini in just 15 minutes, with fresh, flavorful ingredients!