**Beef Stuffed Zucchini: A Culinary Symphony of Flavor and Nutrition**
Embark on a culinary adventure with our tantalizing beef stuffed zucchini recipe, a delightful dish that marries the succulent flavors of ground beef, aromatic herbs, and tender zucchini. This low-carb and gluten-free meal is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a nutritional powerhouse, boasting an array of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Prepare to indulge in a symphony of flavors as you savor the juicy beef filling, complemented by the delicate sweetness of the zucchini and the vibrant notes of fresh herbs. This versatile recipe offers variations to suit every palate, including a vegetarian option, ensuring that everyone can relish this culinary masterpiece.
BEEF-STUFFED ZUCCHINI
This ground beef and zucchini recipe is a delightful summer meal. For a change of pace, substitute your favorite barbecue sauce for the marinara in this baked stuffed zucchini. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each with a sharp knife to allow zucchini to sit flat. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-in. shells. , Place shells in an ungreased 3-qt. microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef, onion and zucchini pulp over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Remove from the heat; stir in the marinara sauce, egg, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup cheese., Spoon about 1/4 cup into each shell. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 4 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Microwave 3-4 minutes longer or until a thermometer inserted into filling reads 160° and zucchini are tender. If desired, broil zucchini 3 in. from the heat for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown. Serve with additional marinara sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 420 calories, Fat 25g fat (11g saturated fat), Cholesterol 143mg cholesterol, Sodium 735mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 33g protein.
BEEF STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Did your garden over-produce zucchini? Here is a great recipe to use up the zucchini and not get bored.
Provided by CPCHKC
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 50m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Scoop seeds and flesh from zucchini halves with spoon, leaving hollowed-out shells. Discard about half the flesh. Put remaining flesh in a large bowl.
- Mix ground beef, tomato soup, water, bell pepper, bread crumbs, egg, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder with the zucchini flesh; spoon into the zucchini shells. Arrange stuffed zucchini onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle Italian cheese blend over the zucchinis and continue baking until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 558.1 calories, Carbohydrate 28.6 g, Cholesterol 166.5 mg, Fat 31.2 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 41.9 g, SaturatedFat 13.7 g, Sodium 897.1 mg, Sugar 9.6 g
BEEF STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS
If you're looking for yet another way to serve zucchini, try this flavorful entree from Michael Weaver of Norman, Oklahoma. "I received this recipe from a friend at work," he writes. "His wife fixes it for him, and he says it's his favorite. It's great when you have extra squash and don't know what to do with it."
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice off the bottoms so they sit flat. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-in. shells. Place zucchini shells in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside. , In a large skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in water and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until heated through. , Fill each zucchini shell with 2 tablespoons meat mixture. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; microwave 1-2 minutes longer or until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 236 calories, Fat 14g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 58mg cholesterol, Sodium 674mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.
TURKISH HERBED BEEF AND RICE STUFFED ZUCCHINI, TOMATOES, PEPPERS
Steps:
- Slice tops of 6 tomatoes, reserve. Scoop out pulp, drain in sieve, chop. (Save 2 tomatoes.) Cook onions in oil, stirring occasionally, 8-10 mins. until soft, not brown. Add chopped tomato, 3/4 C chopped tomato pulp and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and tomato begins to break down, 5 min. Add rice and cook, stirring, 2 min. Add water, boil, then simmer, covered, over low heat until rice tender and water absorbed, 20 min. Transfer rice mixture to bowl, chill until cool, about 20 min. Add beef, herbs, 1 3/4 tsp salt, and 1 tsp pepper to cooled rice, kneading until smooth. Trim and cut zucchini crosswise in half to fit upright in a deep 7-qt heavy pot with lid. Hollow out each zucchini halfl leave 1/2 inch at bottom. Cut tops off peppers, reserve and hollow. Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in middle. Fill veggies. Arrange tomatoes in cake pan lined with foil. Stir tomato paste into water; add 1/2 cup to pan, reserve rest. Put tops on tomatoes and cover tightly with foil. Bake 45 min. Cut 2 tomatoes into thin slices and layer in 7-qt pot; drizzle with oil. Stand zucchini and peppers in pot, leaning against each another and wedge pepper lids to keep them upright. Sprinkle chopped tomato pulp over and pour tomato water around veggies. Bring to boil then simmer, covered, 20-25 min./140°F. Transfer stuffed vegetables to a serving dish and add sugar and lemon juice to cooking liquid in pot. Boil until reduced to about 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Spoon a little cooking liquid over each stuffed vegetable.
CABBAGE STUFFED WITH BEEF, ZUCCHINI, AND HERBS
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Cut cabbages in half from top to base. Cut out core; discard. Pull out inner leaves of each half, leaving 3 outer layers (reserve). Finely slice inner leaves. Heat broth and 2 tbsp oil in a medium sauté pan on medium. Add vegetables (plus sliced cabbage), garlic, and beef. Cook until vegetables are tender and meat is browned; add herbs; place in cabbage halves. Mix butter with breadcrumbs; place on top of cabbage; drizzle remaining 1 tbsp oil on top. Bake until tender, about 35 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
BEEF STUFFED ZUCCHINI
From Simple and Delicious - a tasty way to have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. This is a combination microwave and stove-top recipe.
Provided by HokiesMom
Categories Vegetable
Time 25m
Yield 4 zucchini shells, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each so they sit flat. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch shell.
- Place shells in an ungreased 13x9 microwave safe dish (or any size that will fit all four pieces - mine is round). Turn off turntable setting on microwave (I remove the turntable).
- Cover dish and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes or until crisp tender; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and broken up well; drain.
- Remove skillet from heat and stir in egg, marinara sauce, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup cheese.
- Spoon about a 1/4 cup into each shell. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH for 4 minutes.
- Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese then microwave for 3-4 minutes longer until thermometer inserted into filling read 160°F.
- Serve with warmed up marinara sauce for each serving for dipping.
BEEF AND BULGUR-STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Provided by Ellie Krieger
Categories main-dish
Time 1h28m
Yield 6 servings, of 2 zucchini each
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut each zucchini in half crosswise. Using a melon baller, carefully scoop out zucchini flesh, leaving about 1/4 inch flesh intact on all sides and leaving zucchini closed at the bottom of each half. Reserve zucchini flesh for another use, or discard. Reserve zucchini tubes.
- Heat oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion sand cook, stirring, until they are soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes more. Add ground beef, cumin, coriander and red pepper flakes and cook until meat is just done and no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add bulgur, and diced tomatoes and currants and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in pine nuts and parsley. Let mixture cool slightly, about 5 minutes. Using a small spoon or clean hands, gently stuff zucchini halves with beef-mixture.
- Place zucchini halves in a 9 by 13-inch glass baking dish. Combine reserved tomato juice, tomato sauce and salt and pour over zucchini. Cover tightly with foil and place in oven. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, uncover and rotate zucchini. Re-cover, return dish to oven and bake an additional 20 to 25 minutes, until zucchini is cooked through but still slightly firm. Place 2 zucchini halves on a plate and serve with tomato sauce.
Tips:
- Choose the right zucchini: Look for firm, medium-sized zucchini that are about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Prepare the zucchini properly: Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Use a spoon or melon baller to create a boat-like shape.
- Season the beef filling generously: Use a variety of herbs and spices to flavor the beef filling. Common options include garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
- Cook the beef filling thoroughly: Brown the beef in a pan over medium heat until it is cooked through. Drain any excess grease.
- Stuff the zucchini boats evenly: Divide the beef filling evenly among the zucchini boats. Press the filling down firmly so that it stays in place.
- Bake the zucchini boats until tender: Bake the zucchini boats in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the beef filling is heated through.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: Before serving, garnish the zucchini boats with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil.
Conclusion:
Beef stuffed zucchini is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's a great way to use up leftover beef and zucchini, and it's also a healthy and flavorful option. With a few simple tips, you can make sure your beef stuffed zucchini turns out perfect every time. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to cook zucchini, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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