Description
Zucchini Pizza Boats are a delicious and healthy twist on traditional pizza, using fresh zucchini halves as the base. Topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings like pepperoni or veggies, these boats are easy to prepare, baked to perfection, and perfect for a quick family meal or low-carb snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise and seeds scooped out
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices or other preferred toppings (e.g., mushrooms, bell peppers, olives)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Zucchini Boats: Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the center flesh to create hollow ‘boats’. Season the zucchini boats lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Sauce: Spoon marinara sauce into each zucchini boat, spreading it evenly to cover the bottom thoroughly for a flavorful base.
- Top with Cheese and Toppings: Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the marinara sauce in each boat. Add your choice of toppings such as pepperoni slices, mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives as preferred.
- Season: Sprinkle dried oregano and garlic powder over the toppings to enhance the flavor profile of your zucchini pizza boats.
- Bake: Place the prepared zucchini boats on the baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the zucchini boats from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy a healthy, tasty meal.
Notes
- Use firm zucchinis to ensure the boats hold their shape during baking.
- Customize the toppings according to your preference to make it vegetarian or add more protein.
- For extra crispiness, broil the boats for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- If you want a lower sodium option, use low-sodium marinara sauce and reduce added salt.
- These zucchini boats are best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven.
