Best 7 Italian Meatloaf In Zucchini Boats Recipes

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In a culinary world teeming with tantalizing flavors and endless possibilities, the Italian twist on the classic meatloaf, artfully nestled within zucchini boats, stands out as a beacon of culinary brilliance. This innovative dish marries the comforting richness of hearty meatloaf with the vibrant flavors of Italian herbs and spices, all harmoniously embraced by the tender embrace of zucchini. Whether you're a seasoned chef seeking new horizons or a home cook yearning for a flavorful adventure, this recipe promises to ignite your taste buds and leave you craving more. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey where rustic Italian charm seamlessly intertwines with the comforting goodness of American comfort food.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN ZUCCHINI BOATS



Italian Zucchini Boats image

"You'll enjoy these simple stuffed zucchinis with any meal," assures Agnes Golian of Garfield Heights, Ohio.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 small zucchini
1 Italian sausage link (4 ounces), casing removed
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped celery
1/4 cup salad croutons
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Steps:

  • Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell; set aside. Chop zucchini pulp; set aside. , Crumble sausage into a small skillet; add onion and celery. Cook over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the croutons, 2 tablespoons cheese and zucchini pulp. Spoon into zucchini shells. , Place in an ungreased baking dish; add 1/4 in. of water. Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until zucchini is tender.

Nutrition Facts :

ITALIAN MEATLOAF IN ZUCCHINI BOATS



Italian Meatloaf in Zucchini Boats image

This is an easy Italian meatloaf baked into hollowed-out zucchini halves. Delicious!

Provided by EGallagher55

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
1 teaspoon garlic salt
¼ cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 ½ pounds ground beef sirloin
2 eggs
1 ½ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried basil
¼ cup grated carrot
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (26.5 ounce) can spaghetti sauce, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Scoop out and discard zucchini seeds, leaving the hollowed-out shells. Sprinkle the garlic salt into the hollowed-out zucchini, and set aside. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • In a mixing bowl, mix the ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, basil, carrot, and Parmesan cheese together with the onion mixture. Stuff the zucchini halves with the meat mixture, and place them into a baking dish. Spoon about half the spaghetti sauce over the zucchini, covering all the meat and allowing sauce to drip down the sides of the zucchini boats.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the meat is no longer pink in the center and the zucchini are tender, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the zucchini, and return to oven until the cheese melts, about 5 more minutes. Heat the remaining spaghetti sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat while the zucchini boats are cooking. Serve the zucchini boats with the additional sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 596.3 calories, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 141.2 mg, Fat 30.5 g, Fiber 6.3 g, Protein 34.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 1605.4 mg, Sugar 16 g

ITALIAN MEATLOAF IN ZUCCHINI BOATS



Italian Meatloaf in Zucchini Boats image

This is an easy Italian meatloaf baked into hollowed-out zucchini halves. Delicious!

Provided by EGallagher55

Categories     Italian Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 large zucchini, cut in half lengthwise
1 teaspoon garlic salt
¼ cup olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 ½ pounds ground beef sirloin
2 eggs
1 ½ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried basil
¼ cup grated carrot
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 (26.5 ounce) can spaghetti sauce, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Scoop out and discard zucchini seeds, leaving the hollowed-out shells. Sprinkle the garlic salt into the hollowed-out zucchini, and set aside. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • In a mixing bowl, mix the ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs, basil, carrot, and Parmesan cheese together with the onion mixture. Stuff the zucchini halves with the meat mixture, and place them into a baking dish. Spoon about half the spaghetti sauce over the zucchini, covering all the meat and allowing sauce to drip down the sides of the zucchini boats.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the meat is no longer pink in the center and the zucchini are tender, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the zucchini, and return to oven until the cheese melts, about 5 more minutes. Heat the remaining spaghetti sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat while the zucchini boats are cooking. Serve the zucchini boats with the additional sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 596.3 calories, Carbohydrate 45 g, Cholesterol 141.2 mg, Fat 30.5 g, Fiber 6.3 g, Protein 34.8 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 1605.4 mg, Sugar 16 g

ZUCCHINI MEAT LOAF



Zucchini Meat Loaf image

Make and share this Zucchini Meat Loaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by weekend cooker

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h5m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups zucchini, shredded
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves, dried
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon cumin

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, mix all the meatloaf ingredients until well blended, then press this mixture into an ungreased 9 1/2 inch deep dish glass pie plate.
  • Bake for 35 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix all the topping ingredients well.
  • After the 35 minutes remove meatloaf from the oven, and pour topping on the meatloaf, spreading evenly.
  • Return the meatloaf to oven, and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until thoroughly cooked in center, and a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 545.8, Fat 29.6, SaturatedFat 11.2, Cholesterol 208.7, Sodium 1017, Carbohydrate 28.4, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 8.9, Protein 39.5

ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS



Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats image

Make and share this Italian Stuffed Zucchini Boats recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Chef Gorete

Categories     European

Time 1h10m

Yield 6 zucchini, 3-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 medium zucchini, uniformly sized
3 cups basil, marinara sauce* (divided)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb ground turkey
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/3 of a red pepper, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon chili pepper flakes (or to taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Measure one cup of marinara sauce and set aside.
  • Trim the ends from the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Using a teaspoon, scrape the inside of the zucchini forming a cavity, being careful not to cut through.
  • Place the zucchini boats in a 9 x 13" baking dish and add a cup of water. Cover with foil then bake for 20 minutes or until just slightly fork tender. Remove from oven, remove foil and set aside to cool slightly.
  • While the zucchini is cooking, add the olive oil to a skillet and place over medium heat. Add the ground turkey, onions, peppers, and garlic to the pan, and stir until fully combined. Cook, stirring to break up the ground turkey as it cooks. Cook until the meat is cooked and the vegetables have softened. If there is too much grease, drain off as much as possible. and return skillet to the heat.
  • Add the remaining 2 cups marinara sauce, parsley and spices and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the spices if necessary.
  • Remove the zucchini from the baking dish and drain off the water. Pour the 1 cup marinara on the bottom of the dish and place the zucchini on top of the sauce.
  • Fill the zucchini cavities with the meat sauce. If you have extra, add it around the zucchini or save it to enjoy with pasta another day. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. or until zucchini is fork tender.
  • Remove dish from oven and set the oven to broil. Remove the foil then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese, then the parmigiano-reggiano cheese, and then the breadcrumbs evenly over the six zucchini boats.
  • Place dish in the oven and broil for approximately 2 minutes, with the door open, until the cheese has melted and golden in colour.
  • *I used my Basil Tomato Sauce Recipe #447975.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 554.9, Fat 32.3, SaturatedFat 12.9, Cholesterol 155.1, Sodium 1032.9, Carbohydrate 17.6, Fiber 4, Sugar 8.2, Protein 50.7

MEAT LOAF STUFFED ZUCCHINI



Meat Loaf Stuffed Zucchini image

I CAME UP WITH this recipe after being challenged to find different ways to cook this plentiful summer vegetable. At first, I decided to add zucchini to my meat loaf recipe...then it occurred to me to reverse the process and put the meat loaf into the zucchini! It was an instant hit. -Ruth Fluckiger, Tolland, Connecticut

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 medium zucchini
1/2 pound ground beef or bulk Italian sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
2/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon dill weed
1 cup spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Steps:

  • Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Chop pulp; set pulp and shells aside. , In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add pulp, bread crumbs, milk and dill. Spoon into zucchini shells. , Place in a greased 2-qt. baking dish. Top with spaghetti sauce; sprinkle with cheese. Cover and bake at 325° for 30 minutes or until zucchini is tender.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 586 calories, Fat 26g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 94mg cholesterol, Sodium 1465mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (16g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 38g protein.

ZUCCHINI MEATLOAF



Zucchini Meatloaf image

Add nutrition in disguise-kids might eat that green veggie when it's mixed in a tasty meatloaf.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups shredded zucchini (1 large or 2 small)
1/3 cup Progresso™ plain bread crumbs
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, mix all meatloaf ingredients until well blended. Press mixture into ungreased 9 1/2-inch deep-dish glass pie plate. Bake 35 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix all topping ingredients.
  • Remove meatloaf from oven; pour off drippings. Spread topping over loaf. Return to oven; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until thoroughly cooked in center and meat thermometer reads 160°F. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 200, Carbohydrate 8 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Fiber 0 g, Protein 18 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 440 mg, Sugar 4 g, TransFat 1/2 g

Tips:

  • Use a combination of ground beef and ground pork for a more flavorful meatloaf.
  • Add some grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley to the meatloaf mixture for extra flavor.
  • If you don't have zucchini boats, you can use bell peppers or eggplant instead.
  • Be sure to pre-bake the zucchini boats before filling them with the meatloaf mixture. This will help them to hold their shape and prevent them from getting soggy.
  • Bake the meatloaf at a moderate temperature (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 45 minutes, or until it is cooked through.
  • Serve the meatloaf with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, green beans, or a salad.

Conclusion:

Italian meatloaf in zucchini boats is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. With its combination of flavorful meatloaf and tender zucchini, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next dinner party.

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