Italian stuffed zucchini, also known as zucchini ripieni, is a classic Italian dish that combines the flavors of zucchini, ground meat, cheese, and herbs. This hearty and versatile dish can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. The zucchini is first hollowed out, creating a natural vessel to be filled with a variety of ingredients. The stuffing can be customized to your liking, with options ranging from traditional Italian sausage and ricotta cheese to more creative fillings like seafood or vegetables. Once stuffed, the zucchini is baked until tender and the filling is cooked through. Italian stuffed zucchini is a delicious and impressive dish that is sure to please everyone at the table. The versatility of this dish allows you to explore different flavor combinations while still enjoying the classic comfort of a stuffed zucchini.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
ITALIAN SAUSAGE-STUFFED ZUCCHINI
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
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 55m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 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 2 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 : Calories 206 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 39mg cholesterol, Sodium 485mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI
This is an easy, tasty way to use up zucchini. I have listed the ingredients per person so the amount can be adjusted, depending on how much zucchini you have. Can be made lacto-vegetarian or vegan.
Provided by IDAJ
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Hollow out the zucchini. Place the scraped out zucchini into a medium bowl. Combine zucchini, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, burger-style crumbles and pasta sauce. Mix well.
- Place mixture into hollowed out zucchini. Arrange zucchini in a baking dish, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese; bake for 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 577.5 calories, Carbohydrate 40.6 g, Cholesterol 33.6 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 10.3 g, Protein 77 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 1877 mg, Sugar 15.7 g
ITALIAN-STYLE STUFFED ZUCCHINI SQUASH (CROCK POT)
I love summer squash with tomato sauce and Italian herbs, and this healthy vegetarian/vegan dish is so simple to prepare, very filling and delicious. It comes from vegetarian.about.com, and I didn't change too much about it. Originally it called for fresh herbs, but I really don't like using fresh herbs in the crock pot, so I used dried instead, and then just threw a few fresh leaves on top before serving. The toasted pine nuts add a lot to this - I don't recommend omitting them. I was worried about the squash falling apart since I had to leave it in the crock pot well past the suggested cooking time - 9 hours - so I wrapped the zucchini halves in foil before putting them in. It worked great - the squash was very soft, but still together, and the rice was not overcooked at all. The original recipe says it serves four, but I think as a main course it is perfect for two. Putting a little dairy or soy mozzarella or Parmesan on top before serving is nice. This just needs a green salad and maybe some bread to complete the meal. The filling would also probably be great inside bell peppers.
Provided by Vino Girl
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 5h15m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- To toast pine nuts, place them in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until golden or about 5 minutes.
- Place the zucchini halves in the bottom of an oval shaped slow cooker.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the tomato sauce and vinegar.
- In another small bowl, combine the onions, garlic, rice, parsley, basil, pepper, along with 2 tablespoons of the tomato sauce-vinegar mixture.
- Fill the zucchini halves with the rice mixture.
- Top with the remaining tomato sauce-vinegar mixture.
- Cover and cook on LOW until the rice is tender, 4 to 6 hours.
- Garnish with the pine nuts, fresh herbs, and cheese.
- Makes 2 main dish servings or 4 side dish servings.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Make and share this Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini recipe from Food.com.
Provided by SB61287
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Wash zucchini, cut in half and scoop out seeds.
- Sprinkle scooped zucchini with salt and pepper and olive oil then place on hot grill or pan for 2-3 minutes.
- Sauté ground sausage till browned.
- In a bowl, combine scallions, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, red pepper and pine nuts.
- Add sausage to mixture.
- Spoon mixture into scooped out zucchini and sprinkle tops with Parmesan cheese.
- Place in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.
ITALIAN SAUSAGE STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Categories Leafy Green
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Scrub and cut off ends of zuc and cook in boiling water or put in mic cut in half lenghtwise, scoop out pulp leaving shell, save pulp Brown sauage and onion and spoon off fat. Mix with next 6 ing and the pulp. Pile in shell in baking dish anddot each one with butter and Parmesan. Cover with sauce Bake at 350 for 30 min.
ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS
This recipe I adapted from a stuffed mushroom and another stuffed zucchini recipe. It's a great way to use those extra large zucchini that somehow appear in the garden overnight. This is not low fat, but it is totally delicious.
Provided by NewNerdMom
Categories Pork
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Split zucchini lengthwise after cutting off the very ends.
- Scoop out seeds from center of zucchini allowing 1-2 inches of flesh on the outside of the "boat." (I cut a small amount off the under side of each boat to allow it to lay flat.).
- Place boats on large jelly roll pan. (I cover the pan with aluminum foil to make clean up easier.).
- In large skillet, begin browning sausage, mushrooms, and onion. When mixture is about half done, add garlic. Continue to cook until meat is cooked through.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Stir in bread crumbs, cream cheese and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and blend well.
- Spoon mixture into zucchini boats.
- Heat in oven for 30-35 minutes or until zucchini gives easily when stuck with a fork.
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and cook an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and slice to serve.
ITALIAN-STYLE STUFFED ZUCCHINI (KID-FRIENDLY)
Zucchini boats stuffed with a tomato/vegetable mixture and topped with smoked gouda. The cheese gets toasty and melty and ties the flavors together. My kids (6 and 9) thought it would be gross when they looked at it, but loved it once they tried it!
Provided by Suzanne
Categories Main Dish Recipes Stuffed Main Dish Recipes Stuffed Zucchini Recipes
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and hollow out the center using a spoon to create a "boat". Lay each half, face-up, on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake in the preheated oven until hot and slightly tender, about 10 minutes.
- Stir tomatoes, crackers, corn, olives, mushrooms, salsa, garlic, Italian seasoning, and oregano together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook and stir tomato mixture in a skillet over medium heat until all liquid evaporates, 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon tomato mixture into zucchini "boats". Top each "boat" with Gouda cheese.
- Bake stuffed zucchini "boats" in the oven until tender and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 248.4 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 8.6 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 470.3 mg, Sugar 7.9 g
ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI RECIPE
Provided by Six Sisters
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Trim stems from zucchini and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out seeds and put in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix together seeds, sausage, bread crumbs, garlic and Parmesan cheese.
- Stuff zucchini with sausage mixture and place in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Pour spaghetti sauce over stuffed zucchini and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and cook for an hour, or until sausage is completely cooked through.
ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a nonstick baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside. In a small saucepan, bring chicken stock to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the couscous. Cover the pan and let the couscous stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and set aside. In the meantime, in a medium saute pan, heat olive oil over medium-high. Cook the sausage, breaking up into small pieces with a wooden spoon until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Drain and place the sausage in a large bowl. Add the couscous, tomatoes, and parsley. Place the squash halves on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up, and season with salt and pepper. Fill zucchini shells with the couscous mixture. Bake for about 20 minutes, until squash is tender. Remove pan from the oven, sprinkle squash with the mozzarella and place the pan under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until brown. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips:
- Choose medium-sized zucchini that are firm and have smooth skin. Avoid large zucchini as they tend to be seedy and less flavorful.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully hollow out the zucchini. Be careful not to cut through the bottom or sides of the zucchini.
- If you are using a meat filling, brown the meat before adding it to the zucchini. This will help to develop the flavor of the filling.
- Feel free to experiment with different fillings. You can use a variety of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Some popular options include spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, sausage, and ricotta cheese.
- Top the stuffed zucchini with breadcrumbs or grated Parmesan cheese before baking. This will help to create a crispy crust.
- Serve the stuffed zucchini with a side of marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion:
Italian stuffed zucchini is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. With its customizable filling and crispy crust, it is a surefire hit with family and friends. So next time you are looking for a tasty and easy-to-make meal, give Italian stuffed zucchini a try!
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