Zucchini Boats with Meat

Step 1

Pre-heat the oven to 400F.

Step 2

Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise. Take a spoon and scoop out the inside of the zucchini carefully (making them look like a boat) so that you have enough room to add in the filling.

Step 3

Once cleaned and scooped, set them aside. You can use the inside of the scooped zucchini for smoothies or other recipes of choice.

Step 4

In a non-stick skillet on the stove, add the avocado oil and fry the ground meat until the water has evaporated and it begins to brown (medium-high heat) . This should take about 10 minutes. Be sure to break it apart as you fry it.

Step 5

Once the meat has browned, reduce the heat to medium-low, add the onions and stir. Add in the spices and stir. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the tomato sauce and stir. Last but not least, add the water (white wine or broth) and let it evaporate and thicken completely as you stir.

Step 6

When you can easily run a wooden spoon through the meat without leaving any liquid behind, it's ready to take off the heat.

Step 7

In a baking dish big enough to fit all of the boats, add marinara sauce to the bottom. We use our homemade sugo but you can use any good quality such as Rao's.

Step 8

Take a zucchini boat, fill it with meat and place it in the baking dish on top of the tomato sauce. Do this for each one until the meat has finished.

Step 9

When the baking dish is full of the filled zucchini boats, top it with your favorite melty cheese. You can use any cheese you like but make sure it melts well and tastes delicious (nothing pre-grated) for best results.

Step 10

Bake in a pre-heated 425F oven until golden. Our oven took 45 minutes but keep an eye on them. The zucchini boats should still have a bite to them when cut. Enjoy!