A delicious alternative to stuffed peppers is stuffed zucchini. If you grow zucchini in your garden chances are you have an abundance of them. This recipe is a great way to use up your garden zucchini. The zucchini is first cut in half, then partially scooped out and stuffed with a meat and vegetable mixture. The baking times may vary from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on how tender you want them to be. This recipe calls for soft bread crumbs. This means actual bread torn into small pieces. A great way to do this is to put bread slices in a blender. There is quite a bit of prep work for this recipe but it’s well worth it. I served my stuffed zucchini with garlic toast. Enjoy.
(Makes 6 Servings)
Stuffed Zucchini Recipe
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 1 green pepper (chopped)
- 1 jalapeño pepper (seeded and chopped)
- 1 ¼ cup soft breadcrumbs
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce (divided)
- 2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
- 4–5 medium zucchini
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- In a medium skillet brown ground beef. Drain and set aside to cool. In a large bowl mix cooked ground beef, onion, green pepper, jalapeno pepper, soft bread crumbs, egg, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Mix in one can of tomato sauce. Stir in tomatoes.
Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out the center of each zucchini half to about ¼ inch from the edges. - Fill each zucchini half with the meat mixture and place in two 13×9” baking dishes. Spoon the other can of tomato sauce over the top of each zucchini half.
- Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until zucchini have reached your desired tenderness.
- During the last few minutes of baking top each zucchini half with mozzarella cheese.
John
Thursday 5th of July 2012
Looks good . I will alter to my likings Gonna use 1/2 ground turky and 1/2 ground turkey sausage mixed. In breadcrums I will add parasian cheese. I will use no salt added tomato sause with goya sofrito mixed in and instaed of mozzarella using 50% reduced fat pepper jack. And NO SALT just salt free seasonings. You don't need salt there is salt in the sausage , sause , safrito, cheese and so on and so forth I never use straight salt. Cooking rite now sure it will be great. Thanks for the recipe.
Megan
Tuesday 20th of July 2010
Bobby, once again you have not failed me. This was delicious. I used the leanest ground beef and followed the recipe to the T. The jalapeno added the perfect amount of spice to it. Not spicy, but still it just added that perfect little kick. Way to go Bobby! I made this with your garlic bread recipe. I used whole wheat french bread and it turned out perfect. what a tasty meal!
Emilee Keyes
Thursday 27th of August 2009
Thanks for another great dinner! I am thinking that fresh mushrooms might be good as well. Had to omit the salt and the jalapeño because I was making this for my grandmother as well. Look forward to making it again with ALL the ingredients.
Laurie
Wednesday 26th of August 2009
I just found this recipe this afternoon but it's currently in the oven making wonderful smells! I can never totally follow a recipe but I did my best. The main change was I had to use fresh herbs from the garden at this time of year. (Also was out of tomato sauce so used paste thinned w/ red wine - hope it works!)
Olga
Saturday 22nd of August 2009
wow that looks great! My colleagues from Iran regularly bring stuffed zuccini for lunch. I will try to make a vegetarian version of this. Thanks for posting!