Turkey Stuffed Pepper Feta Zucchini Boats
Turkey stuffed zucchini boats are an easy baked stuffed zucchini recipe! Even kids love this turkey stuffed zucchini, and it’s a protein packed meal! It’s low carb, gluten free, and is adaptable to be a meatless, vegetarian or paleo stuffed zucchini meal.
Today’s zucchini recipe is one that our family makes so often that it didn’t occur us to until we realized zucchini season is here that we should probably share it as maybe you haven’t seen the healthy goodness in these turkey stuffed zucchini boats.
We’ve made this dish in so many different ways, sometimes we’ll use some leftover tomato or pizza sauce or will stuff some spinach in with the mix as well. It really is so versatile. Hope you enjoy the inspiration.
How do you make stuffed zucchini boats
Wash your zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Then use a melon baller or spoon to remove the seeds and enough of the pulp that you’ll be able to stuff some turkey and veggies in there.
How to Make Stuffed Zucchini Boats Vegetarian or other options
The best part about these stuffed zucchini boats is the versatility and adaptability.
If you’re not into ground turkey, you can use any type of meat you want, from sausage, chicken or beef to lamb or venison.
For a vegetarian option, simply omit the meat and stuff the boats with veggies and lentils OR using this vegetarian meat replacement from VeggieBalance.
If you’re a vegan, omit the cheese. See what I mean? It’s so easy to please!
For the veggie portion of the mixture, I took advantage of some great ones from my weekly organic produce delivery, including organic mushrooms, red bell pepper, zucchini, and yellow onion.
Just try to cut everything up into somewhat equal sized pieces so that it all cooks evenly. I use heart healthy olive oil or grapeseed oil, but of course, you can saute in any type of oil that you want. Butter or bacon grease would be delightfully awesome choices, too, especially if you are following a low-carb diet.
How long do you bake stuffed zucchini boats
From our experience, zucchini can come in many different shapes and sizes. A medium sized zucchini is relative if they are ginormous siblings around them.
We baked our for 15minutes. It’s best to tell if it’s done by the knife test. Simply stab the zucchini in it’s thickest part and if it’s still a bit tough and doesn’t easily come out.. you’ll want to cook it a bit longer.
Now are you ready to ride down the healthy dinner river in these turkey stuffed zucchini boats?
Come on… let’s eat!
After you print the recipe, be sure to grab a dessert recipe from my recipe index. I think my chocolate strawberry fool would be perfect options for dessert.
Yum, right?!
If you make this recipe, please come back and leave me a comment or tag us on Instagram @itsyummi to let me know your thoughts!
Turkey Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil (or other oil of your choice)
- .5 pound lean ground turkey or other ground meat of your choice
- 4 medium zucchini , washed, ends removed, and sliced in half lengthwise
- ½ medium red bell pepper , washed, seeded, and diced small
- 4 ounces fresh mushrooms washed and diced (any variety will work. Canned works also.)
- 1 medium white or yellow onion , peeled and diced small
- 1 small clove garlic , minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup tomato sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Lay zucchini halves on a rimmed baking sheet or in a casserole dish; set aside.
- Add oil to a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once oil is shimmering, add ground turkey and cook 4-5 minutes, or until partially browned, breaking up meat into pieces with a spoon as it cooks.
- Reduce heat to medium and add all vegetables, plus salt and pepper. Cook 6-7 minutes, or until onions are translucent and vegetables are softened. Taste and add more seasoning, if desired.
- Spoon mixture evenly into prepared zucchini boats. Top with feta cheese, if using, then bake for 15-18 minutes, or until zucchini is cooked.
The sausage and feta might actually get my husband to eat zucchini. Love the idea!
Here’s hoping that does the trick for you, Erin! 😉
I hope you have a chance to try the zucchini boats, Julianne, and I really hope you enjoy them, too!
What a creative way to use zucchini!
Thanks, sweet girlyfriend!
Becca this is fantastic. I love the idea of these for parties and game days. Perfect munching food.
Thanks, Kim! I love the health factor of these zucchini boats, too.
You bet I am ready to ride the river in these boats – the river that leads to my stomach!!! woop woop! 🙂
I have never made zucch boats so I am super glad you posted this recipe! My daughter would so love these!
Haha! Why do I suddenly have the desire to sing Billy Joel’s hit, “River of Dreams”? I hope your family loves these zucchini boats, Shashi!
Um, I have a secret love affair with feta cheese. I mean I love all cheese, but the salty deliciousness of feta just takes things to a whole new level. Too bad all my zucchini in the garden are gone…but there’s always next summer, right?
Hmm… a scandalous affair with feta. That could be the title of a spicy novel, Dave! 😉 Oh, regarding your desire to wait until next year for garden zucchini… just a hint between friends…. they have these amazing places called grocery stores where fresh zucchini is often stocked in the produce section! #yesimasmartass
Feta AND zucchini sounds like my PERFECT meal. I’m totally on board- er, deck. 🙂
Haha! So happy to hear you’re ready for a ride in a zucchini boat, Carla! 😉
This looks delicious- actually buying zucchini to make this!
Yay, Arman! I hope you enjoy the zucchini boats recipe. I’d love to hear your thoughts after you’ve tried them 🙂
I simply adore these !! I love how they kind of remind me of ants on a log, but, you know, far more sophisticated.
OK. That’s the cutest description I’ve ever heard for zucchini boats! You’re adorable. The end.
Very pretty on the plate, Becca! Makes me want to dig right in!
I came here for turkey, spinach, and feta zucchini boats…. no spinach to be found?
Sorry about that, KB! Thank you for helping me catch the omission. The recipe calls for 2 cups of raw baby spinach.
Absolutely love your creative idea with turkey stuffed zucchini boats! Never seen something like this! Definitely i will try to make it too! Thx for sharing!
Have you ever put a spaghetti sauce or some kind of red sauce (just a little ) to hold the meat together ?
Hi Janice,
Yes! I make this recipe often, so I like to switch things around a bit. To keep it paleo, you’ll need to make sure that the tomato sauce is sugar free and that there aren’t any onions or garlic in it. If you want to make your own, you can just use regular tomato sauce and add whatever Italian seasonings you like. I just mix the sauce in with the cooked ground meat vegetables, then after you stuff the zucchini, you can sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. It’s really good!
I really like this recipe but did find the filling to be a bit bland and dry. I seasoned the turkey with some dried oregano and thyme, then put a few dollops of Rao’s tomato basil sauce over the top of the boats rather than mixing in with the meat. It was yummy!