Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe

Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 4

For a change of pace, substitute your favorite barbecue sauce for the marinara.

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Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe
  • Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
  • Yield: 4 Servings
20 10 30

Ingredients

  • 4 medium zucchini
  • 1 pound ground beef
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    With Johnsonville Italian Sausage.

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  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3/4 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • Additional marinara or spaghetti sauce

Directions

  • 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 and onion 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. Serve with additional marinara sauce. Yield: 4 servings.

Editor's Note: This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave.

Nutritional Facts 2 stuffed zucchini halves (calculated without additional sauce) equals 394 calories, 21 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 134 mg cholesterol, 602 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 33 g protein.

Originally published as Beef-Stuffed Zucchini in Simple & Delicious July/August 2008, p6

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Reviews for Beef-Stuffed Zucchini

Beef-Stuffed Zucchini Recipe

Beef-Stuffed Zucchini

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(0-60) of 60 reviews

Reviewed on Apr. 17, 2013 by Strechie63

Absolutely loved this. May add garlic next time.

Reviewed on Oct. 03, 2012 by doxie3

I had never tried stuffed zucchini before and this was a great way to start. I definitely will make this again. My husband has to eat gluten free so I used his bread and added seasoning for the bread crumbs. It was very tasty.

Reviewed on Sep. 06, 2012 by Queenmumv66

MY KIDS ONLY ATE THE FILLING, BUT THEY LOVED IT! I COOKED IT ALL IN THE OVEN,NOT THE MICROWAVE. I ALSO ADDED OREGANO AND DRIED BASIL AND GARLIC.THE KIDS WANT IT AGAIN (FOR THE FILLING!) SO I WILL MAKE IT AGAIN.

Reviewed on Sep. 06, 2012 by Queenmumv66

MY KIDS ONLY ATE THE FILLING, BUT THEY LOVED IT! I COOKED IT ALL IN THE OVEN,NOT THE MICROWAVE. I ALSO ADDED OREGANO AND DRIED BASIL AND GARLIC.THE KIDS WANT IT AGAIN (FOR THE FILLING!) SO I WILL MAKE IT AGAIN.

Reviewed on Aug. 07, 2012 by niceli

I made this recipe with the following changes: I used 6 small yellow squash in place of zucchini, and instead of microwaving for the final step, put in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes (it worked better with my meal timing). Good weeknight recipe with lots of room for easy variations.

Reviewed on Aug. 06, 2012 by shigdon

One of my favorites!!!

Reviewed on Aug. 02, 2012 by germanycook

Really good! A filling dinner but not full of starch, we just loved it. I cut up the zucchini pulp and fried it with the beef and onions, added some herbs, otherwise did the recipe as stated. Very yummy, and quick! We're having the other half of the recipe tomorrow night, can't wait :)

Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2012 by Jlowlery

** Added 1/4 CUP mild diced tomatoes w/ green chiles. Also did bake it at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes after the microwave to "toast" the cheese some. Was fantastic!

Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2012 by Jlowlery

Absolutely delicious. My husband ate 4 of the halves and demanded to have the leftovers for lunch the next day! I added 1/4 mild diced tomatoes w/ green chiles and seasoned the beef with basil, oregano, garlic pepper, and parsley before cooking it. This will be a regular meal for us now!

Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2012 by luckyladyx

Tried it the last two summers & we loved it.

Will be making it again this summer.

Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2012 by andi99

My husband and I loved these! I used pork sausage crumbles (from a freezer bag) and Newman's sausage spagetti sauce, to save time. They were both really good in this recipe. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2012 by Sweet Peaxyz

So fast and delicious! I've made it with both hot sausage and ground beef; it is good either way. My children liked this too.

Reviewed on Jul. 26, 2012 by toukeebird

the filling was outstanding, I wasn't happy with microwaving the zucchini and will read the reviews to hopefully find a better alternative

Reviewed on Jul. 21, 2012 by best of home cooks

these were very easy to make. The only things I did different were I used pizza sauce instead of spaghettie sauce and bakes them in the oven at 350 degrees. I did microwave the zucchini shells as directed. This is the second time I've made thses and will make them again. Yum!!!!

Reviewed on Jul. 19, 2012 by kmarqui

Easy to put together, and very delicious. I just added minced garlic to the onions and ground beef. Will make again.

Reviewed on Jul. 19, 2012 by chin-chilla

Thought this was really easy and tasty for summer produce.

Reviewed on Jul. 18, 2012 by FDTM1st

I used ground venison, added some rice and a "kicked" up version of homemade marinara sauce. Also used the scooped out zucchini chopped into little chunks. Smoked Gouda is perfect.

Reviewed on Jul. 09, 2012 by Rockamama

The pulp that was scooped out of the zucchini should be chopped and added to the hamburger/onion mixture.

Reviewed on Jun. 08, 2012 by dovecanyon

This is very good. I only had a small piece of Jack cheese, so added Mozzerella and Parmesan, and used the Mozz/Parm on top. Used a good spicy spaghetti sauce. Turned out great.

Reviewed on Sep. 28, 2011 by becbne

This was really good. Not as leftovers though.

Reviewed on Sep. 25, 2011 by bjsilve0

When the man who does not like cooked zucchini says it is fantastic, that says a LOT.

Reviewed on Sep. 17, 2011 by daabbott

Fantastic! Made a few slight changes by adding some rice and Italian sausage as suggested by others. Very tasty and easy to prepare. Definitely a keeper.

Reviewed on Aug. 29, 2011 by Lisa Friesen

I added 1/4 pound spicy sausage and took out 1/4 pound hamburger. I added 1 tsp of pampered chef italian seasoning. I was apprehensive like one of the other reviewers, but really liked it!

Reviewed on Aug. 29, 2011 by grandma Penny

we really like this recipe and it has become a family favorite that we look forward to often. LOVE IT :)

Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2011 by strayxdogxstrut

I was a little apprehensive about a recipe that used the microwave so much but this turned out great, re-heated beautifully the next day as well.

Reviewed on Aug. 16, 2011 by hartmr

Subbed Italian sausage and increased the amount of spaghetti sauce. Delicious!

Reviewed on Aug. 16, 2011 by Judi720

great dinner! my 12 year old went back for 3rds....very easy and quick dinner & very easy to substitute any herbs you like to use......

Reviewed on Aug. 07, 2011 by 7Candi

This is a great way to get the kids to eat veggies! I substituted turkey for the beef and used cheddar. Quick, I'll make it again.

Reviewed on Aug. 05, 2011 by Curry2011

My daughter and I enjoyed this very much. I added some garlic and used a sausage based sauce which may be why I didn't see it as bland.

Reviewed on Aug. 03, 2011 by naomiblue

This was good but I made a few changes. I used seasoned ground turkey instead of hamburger and added cooked rice that I had in the fridge already. I halved 3 large zucchinis, removed the seeds, then mixed all of the other ingredients together (raw meat included) and stuffed the zucchini, topped with a little more marinara sauce, then baked them at 375 for about 45 minutes. I then topped with mozzarella cheese and baked a couple minutes more. Next time I'd add fresh garlic.

Reviewed on Aug. 02, 2011 by shigdon

Super quick and easy ! my family loved them!! Will make again

Reviewed on Aug. 02, 2011 by sweetie17

Love this! Great way to use a larger zucchini. Sometimes I use diced tomatoes with green chilis instead of the marinara for a "kick". I agree that it needs to go in the oven to brown the cheese.

Reviewed on Aug. 01, 2011 by sdtdcd1@aol.com

This is much better using ground pork sausage or Jimmy Dean sausage, add fresh garlic, lots of cheese on top, onion, Montery jack, etc..

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2011 by nanzmail

Excellent, fast and easy! I added some instant rice to the hamburg also. Will definitely be making this again!

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2011 by Lynn Semon

I have used this recipe several times. I use a can of diced tomatoes with basil and garlic and oregano and a can of tomatoe sauce with basil, garlic, and oregano. I have also made it with italian sausage. I have tried so many variations and they have all been excelent. I brown the cheese in the oven.

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2011 by dempcath

I would add fresh chopped garlic,parsley,golden raisins,pine nuts and basil- then top with smoked mozzarella

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2011 by barbtay

I have made this several times and it always comes out great! I always make extra and it reheats in the microwave for a second meal 2-3 days later.

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2011 by Oldman1

I'm considering using a little garlic, ground Pork and Spanish Rice for a different taste and kick it up a bit.

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2011 by Angelizz10

This is very bland. I put it in my recipe box, but just removed it. It needs alot of something! Maybe like one cook said, use sausage? There is NO need to microwave the zucchini first. They fall apart.

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2011 by vonda1968

Very good recipe, I did bake mine and added a few more spices. I think I will try turkey to make a leaner version next time..

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2011 by mccauleyclan

for a meatless version, use cornbread stuffing and fresh basil. drizzle olive oil on zucchini before microwaving, top w cheese and then toast in toaster oven.

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2011 by Iowa_cooker

I have made this several times. Love the fact that it is microwavable ~ no oven on in the summer!

We look forward to this dish every year, using garden zucchini.

~YUMMY!~

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2011 by jensenal

I love zucchini and tow things I would do different is cook the hamburger and ingredients withe it also in the microwave also the pulp of the zucchini as it will pick up any flavor you put it with. Besides it's good for you. aljens.

Reviewed on May. 24, 2011 by 10sChick

Not sensational, but I would make it again with some variations to try and liven it up a bit.

Reviewed on Jan. 11, 2011 by slacker823

Super yummy! The meat mixture is wonderful and with the fresh taste of zucchini it is a big hit for me and my family! We loved it!

Reviewed on Dec. 04, 2010 by klong

Super easy and good. Can also use the filling recipe in pasta shells, which turned out yummy too.

Reviewed on Aug. 28, 2010 by sdtdcd1@aol.com

Stuffed zucchini is really best with ground pork. Mixed with the other things is really great! Could use Jimmy Dean ground sausage. You could leave out the marinara, and use mushrooms, onions, garlic and parmesean cheese! Or Jack cheese! Try, you will like!

Reviewed on Jul. 31, 2010 by ncbaba

Very quick and very good.

Reviewed on Jul. 21, 2010 by savanna2

I will make this over and over again, as long as the Zucchini is available. I try'd it with some left-over cut up chicken tonight, what a treat. In the hot summer it is quick to make in the microwave without heating up the house using the oven, and during cooler days in the oven maybe with some lean hamburger or turkey. One could even add some pre-cooked rice with it. Lots of variations for this recipe, and it tastes great.

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2009 by amyphest

This recipe is a keeper. My husband and son both said it was very good. I enjoyed it too.

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2009 by amyphest

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2009 by wynnkin

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2009 by donnaebec

That would be very good too resm2007 and very healthy!!!

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2009 by resm2007

I think I will try it with ground turkey, as the calorie and cholesterol figures are so high! But it sounds good and there's a ton of zucchini out now.

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2009 by donnaebec

I made this in the oven,baked at 350 for 45 min.and came out great!!!Did the meat in frying pan and stuffed the zucchini boats and baked.All kinds of different ways to make these boats,anything works!!

Reviewed on Aug. 13, 2009 by RuthStew

Need directions for regular oven instead of microwave. Sounds so yummy!

Ruth

Reviewed on Apr. 16, 2009 by collector_of_masks

Very good, will go into regular recipe rotation. Quick and easy.

Reviewed on Aug. 03, 2008 by sgoldean

My husband and I loved this recipe!!! It was also fun to make together!!!

Reviewed on Jul. 29, 2008 by jhenry7777

Excellent recipee!!! The best Zucchini ever. I have had so many comments, even from a lady that hates zucchini. Thanks for the recipee.

Jim Henry

Reviewed on Jun. 17, 2008 by joniotto

Great recipe!! I added a little garlic when I sauteed the beef & onions. Bet this would be good with sausage as well.

 
 

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