Best 5 Italian Style Stuffed Zucchini Kid Friendly Recipes

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Zucchini, a versatile vegetable, is not many kid's favorite vegetable. But once stuffed with delicious fillings, baked in a tangy sauce and topped with cheese, it can be a popular dish among kids. Italian style stuffed zucchini is one such recipe that is sure to please both kids and adults alike. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its vibrant colors and irresistible flavors, this dish is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Plus, it's a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

STUFFED ZUCCHINI ITALIAN STYLE



Stuffed Zucchini Italian Style image

Reading through several recipes on line and in my vast collection of cookbooks - I made this recipe up tonight making use of only what I had on hand. DH said - this is keeper - better write it down quick! Edited 7/06 to lighten the recipe.

Provided by CindiJ

Categories     Pork

Time 1h20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 medium fresh zucchini
1 lb Italian sausage
1 cup red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 (15 ounce) can stewed tomatoes, sliced
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
4 slices provolone cheese
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon basil
2 tablespoons parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Steps:

  • In large skillet, brown sausage.
  • Drain well.
  • In same skillet, saute onion & garlic 5 minutes in oil.
  • Cut zucchini in half - remove seeds from center, reserving meaty party and cutting into cube approximate 1/2" in size, leaving boat shell for stuffing.
  • In large bowl mix together sausage, bread crumbs, seasonings, egg, onion, garlic and tomatoes and cubed zucchini.
  • Mix to just combine.
  • Stuff into zucchini boats and place in 9x13 baking dish.
  • Pour entire can of tomato sauce over stuffed boats.
  • Bake un-covered in 375º oven approximately 45 minutes.
  • Place cheese (tear to fit boats or use shredded) & place on top of tomato sauce.
  • Return to oven for approximately 10 minutes - cheese should bubble.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 743.4, Fat 45.5, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 130.8, Sodium 3277.3, Carbohydrate 46.6, Fiber 6.2, Sugar 15.7, Protein 39

ITALIAN-STYLE STUFFED ZUCCHINI (KID-FRIENDLY)



Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini (Kid-Friendly) image

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     Stuffed Zucchini

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 zucchinis
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tomatoes, chopped
½ cup crushed crackers
½ cup fresh corn kernels
¼ cup finely chopped black olives
2 mushrooms, finely chopped, or more to taste
2 tablespoons mild pineapple salsa
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried oregano, or more to taste
¼ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese, or more to taste

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-STYLE STUFFED ZUCCHINI (KID-FRIENDLY)



Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini (Kid-Friendly) image

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     Stuffed Zucchini

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 zucchinis
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tomatoes, chopped
½ cup crushed crackers
½ cup fresh corn kernels
¼ cup finely chopped black olives
2 mushrooms, finely chopped, or more to taste
2 tablespoons mild pineapple salsa
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried oregano, or more to taste
¼ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese, or more to taste

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-STYLE STUFFED ZUCCHINI (KID-FRIENDLY)



Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini (Kid-Friendly) image

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     Stuffed Zucchini

Time 45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 zucchinis
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 tomatoes, chopped
½ cup crushed crackers
½ cup fresh corn kernels
¼ cup finely chopped black olives
2 mushrooms, finely chopped, or more to taste
2 tablespoons mild pineapple salsa
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried oregano, or more to taste
¼ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese, or more to taste

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



Italian Stuffed Zucchini image

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

Provided by Steve P.

Categories     Stew

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 large zucchini (about 1 1/2 lb)
1 1/2 lbs bulk Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup dry small shell macaroni
2 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and hollow out, leaving shell 1/8 thick.
  • Chop pulp and measure 2 cups.
  • Cook sausage, crumbling meat as it cooks.
  • Add zucchini pulp, onion, and garlic to the sausage, and continue to cook until sausage has lost all pink color.
  • Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions and drain in colander.
  • Drain fat from sausage and combine with macaroni, tomato, cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano and salt, mixing well.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Brush inside of zucchini halves with olive oil and salt lightly.
  • Mound the filling in the halves and place in a shallow baking dish.
  • Add about 1/2 cup or more of water, cover with foil and bake for about 40-45 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 896.1, Fat 72, SaturatedFat 27.3, Cholesterol 164.6, Sodium 2120.5, Carbohydrate 24, Fiber 4, Sugar 7.2, Protein 38.6

Tips:

  • Choose small to medium-sized zucchini for even cooking.
  • Use a sharp knife to carefully scoop out the zucchini flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch border.
  • Pre-cook the zucchini flesh in a pan with olive oil to soften it and remove excess moisture.
  • Use a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage for a flavorful filling.
  • Add grated Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and Italian seasoning to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
  • Stuff the zucchini boats tightly with the filling to prevent them from falling apart during baking.
  • Top the stuffed zucchini with a mixture of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a golden, crispy crust.
  • Bake the stuffed zucchini at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through and the zucchini is tender.
  • Serve the stuffed zucchini hot with a side of tomato sauce or marinara sauce.

Conclusion:

Italian-style stuffed zucchini is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is packed with flavor from the combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and a variety of Italian seasonings. The zucchini boats are tender and slightly crispy, and the filling is moist and flavorful. This dish is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables, and it is also a great option for a healthy and satisfying meal.

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