Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini

Name: Italian Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Ingredients: 6 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each); 1 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed; 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped; 1 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley; 2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; Additional minced fresh parsley, optional

I've always had to be creative when getting my family to eat vegetables, so I decided to make stuffed zucchini using the pizza flavors that everyone loves. It worked! We like to include sausage for a main dish but it could be a meatless side dish, too. —Donna Marie Ryan, Topsfield, Massachusetts

Ingredients

6 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each)
1 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Additional minced fresh parsley, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Cut each zucchini lengthwise in half. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell; chop pulp. Place zucchini shells in a large microwave-safe dish. In batches, microwave, covered, on high 2-3 minutes or until crisp-tender.
In a large skillet, cook sausage and zucchini pulp over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, breaking sausage into crumbles; drain. Stir in tomatoes, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, herbs and pepper. Spoon into zucchini shells.
Place in two ungreased 13x9-in. baking dishes. Bake, covered, 15-20 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, 5-8 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. If desired, sprinkle with additional minced parsley.

Nutrition Facts

2 stuffed zucchini halves: 206 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 485mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Savory Stuffed Zucchini in Simple & Delicious February/March 2014

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Roxanna

Apr 15, 2018

yummy
Alisa

Apr 4, 2018

I made this recipe for my boyfriend and I, and we loved it. My boyfriend usually doesn't eat "healthy" things, but he really liked this one. It was more filling than it looks! The only downside was the sausage was a little overpowering and didn't get as much zucchini taste. I found some better quality zucchini that were larger so I could save more of the zucchini while still being able to fill with the sausage mix and it tasted better.
Debbie

Mar 6, 2018

I made this recipe last night, and it was delicious! I used a small melon scooper to remove the pulp which worked out great. And, there's so much moisture in the pulp that it made sense to cook it with the sausage and then drain. This recipe is a keeper!
amk4985

Sep 11, 2017

Delicious!
BudgyS

Aug 31, 2017

I haven't made this recipe, but it's so close to one that I LOVE I gave it 5 stars. I wanted to add : cut the zucchini in half and microwave, THEN remove the pulp. I also brown the sausage, drain, and then add the seasonings (including some onion.) If doing meatless, saute some portobella mushrooms .
glendann1

Aug 9, 2017

Delicious! It was one of those nights where I needed to be creative with what's in the frig. I found cooked, crumbled sausage and I had a big zucchini from the garden and found this recipe & turned out great!
RobynBeck66

Aug 2, 2017

This was the bomb-diggity! I used ground beef with a teaspoon of "Italian sausage seasoning", canned petite diced tomatoes (my garden tomatoes are still green) and regular bread crumbs (with some melted butter) because I didn't have panko. I added a bit of onion, as well. I added the cheese to the meat mixture and mixed the Parmesan with the bread crumbs before sprinkling on top. Just yummy!
ann682

Jul 31, 2017

Looks yummy
schamberlain

Aug 3, 2016

We thought these had really good flavor but rather dry. We added a little marinara on top and it was wonderful
mport001

Jun 16, 2016

This was light and delicious! I will definitely make it again. I used sharp cheddar cheese on top because i had it on hand. I think it added a little extra flavor.