STUFFED ZUCCHINI

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Stuffed Zucchini image

Sponsored by Classico® Pasta Sauce. This one-skillet dish is inspired by a zucchini meal my cousins make when I visit them. A filling of beef and rice makes it super-comforting while lots of great vegetables, fresh herbs and savory tomato-basil sauce keep it light. I can't get enough of it!

Provided by Elena Besser

Categories     main-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup cooked white rice
1/2 pound ground beef
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 cup tomato-basil sauce, such as Classico® Traditional Sweet Basil Pasta Sauce
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped basil
1/2 cup finely chopped toasted pine nuts or walnuts
2 cloves garlic, grated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 medium zucchini, trimmed and halved lengthwise
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 to 4 cocktail tomatoes, such as Campari tomatoes, diced
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Grated Parmesan, for garnish

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
  • Combine the rice with the beef, lemon zest and juice, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup parsley, the basil, pine nuts and garlic in a medium bowl. Season with a 4-finger pinch of salt and a generous amount of pepper. Mix with a fork until well combined; set aside.
  • Scoop out the flesh from the zucchini with a melon baller or teaspoon, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Reserve the scooped-out flesh. Cut the zucchini boats crosswise into 2-inch pieces.
  • Combine the reserved zucchini flesh with the onions and tomatoes in a large cast-iron or heavy ovenproof skillet. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with oil and toss. Add the remaining 1/2 cup tomato sauce and toss again.
  • Using your hands or a small spoon, gently stuff each zucchini shell with about 2 tablespoons of the meat filling, pressing to carefully pack it in. Nestle the stuffed zucchini into the vegetables in the skillet and drizzle with oil.
  • Bake until the vegetables are soft and the meat is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Garnish with grated Parmesan and the remaining 1/4 cup parsley. Enjoy!

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