Effortless Cheesy Meat Zucchini (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
01 -
1 onion, chopped up small.
02 -
1 clove garlic, finely chopped.
03 -
3 zucchini, medium size (around 6 ounces each).
04 -
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper.
05 -
2 teaspoons of oil from olives.
06 -
A full cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
07 -
A pound of lean ground beef.
08 -
2 tablespoons Parmesan, grated.
09 -
1 red bell pepper, cut into small pieces.
10 -
A cup and a half of pasta sauce, split.
11 -
2 teaspoons of an Italian blend of spices.
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Set your oven to 400°F so it’s ready to go.
02 -
Brown the beef with garlic and onion until fully cooked, then drain off the grease. Toss in red pepper and let it cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in 1 cup of pasta sauce along with spices, and let it bubble on low for 10 minutes.
03 -
Slice zucchini down the middle. Scoop out the inside, leaving a half-inch edge to hold it together. Brush with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper for flavor.
04 -
Line up zucchini shells in a baking dish. Pack each one with the beef mixture and finish with the rest of your pasta sauce on top.
05 -
Bake for 15 minutes at first, then sprinkle on the cheeses. Pop it back into the oven for another 10-15 minutes until cheesy and bubbly.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
You can save the scooped-out zucchini for soups or toss it into the sauce.
02 -
Big zucchini might take extra time to bake through.
03 -
Feel free to sub in chili or leftover meat sauce for the filling.
04 -
Make ahead and bake when you’re ready to eat.