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    Home » Recipes » Entrees

    Beef and Rice Stuffed Zucchini

    by Mindy Boyd · Published: Jun 23, 2024 · Updated: Dec 9, 2024

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    ⏲️ 55 minutes mins
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    Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Beef and Rice – fresh zucchini are filled with a mixture of ground beef and rice, flavored with marinara sauce, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a bit of crushed red pepper for a little spicy kick. Then we top it with cheese because everything is better with cheese!

    The cooked zucchini boats on the sheet pan after they came out of the oven.

    These are also known as stuffed zucchini boats. They are very similar to stuffed peppers and are a great way to use up the surplus of fresh zucchini you may have. We usually serve this with a side salad for a complete and nutritious meal. 

    Two stuffed zucchini halves on a plate with some salad.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to make 
    • Variations
    • Storage and reheating
    • Try these zucchini recipes next!
    • Beef and Rice Stuffed Zucchini

    Ingredients

    All of the ingredients measured out to make the Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Beef and Rice Recipe.

    Ingredient Notes

    See recipe card for exact amounts and step-by-step instructions.

    zucchini – we use medium zucchini for this recipe, they are about 7″ long and 2 – 2 1/2″ wide. This particular recipe makes the perfect amount of filling to fill 8 zucchini halves. 

    ground beef – I almost always use lean ground beef for two reasons, it’s better for us and I don’t have to drain it. 

    cooked rice – we are huge fans of boil-in-bag rice (not an affiliate link, just showing you what I use) so I use it. 

    marinara sauce – I like this as opposed to tomato sauce because it has some herbs and spices in it.

    chopped onion – white onion or yellow onion will work just fine. I use whatever I have on-hand. 

    garlic – I almost always use the pre-chopped garlic that comes in a jar. 

    seasonings – we add a generous amount of Italian seasoning and a bit of salt and black pepper. 

    crushed red pepper – we add just a little bit to give our beef mixture a little extra kick. 

    cheese – for this recipe we use freshly grated cheddar cheese, pre-shredded can be used but it won’t melt as well as the cheese you see in the photos. I just happened to have a block of cheese when I made these, but I use the pre-shredded kind A LOT to save time. 

    Close up of the cooked Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Beef and Rice on a white serving plate.

    How to make 

    1. Wash zucchini, cut the stem end off and cut in half length-wise. Scoop out the inside of the zucchini with a small spoon or melon baller, leaving about 1/4″ thick walls, discard cores. 
    2. Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Next, add the pasta sauce, rice, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper and heat, stirring occasionally until hot (about 3-4 minutes). 
    3. Divide the meat mixture among the zucchini shells, top with cheese and bake in a 375° oven for 20-30 minutes or until the zucchini is tender when pierced with a fork. 
    A collage of four images showing the filling in a skillet, the zucchini ready to be filled, the zucchini filled and then topped with cheese.

    Variations

    • This can be made with any type of rice you want, brown rice, basmati rice, jasmine rice or wild rice will all work in this recipe. 
    • Any kind of meat can be used; ground turkey, ground pork, or ground chicken are all great choices. If using one of these you will need to put a bit of olive oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil in the bottom of the skillet before you add the meat. 
    • Use whatever cheese you like, mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese would be great on these. 
    Four Stuffed Zucchini with Ground Beef and Rice on a white serving platter.

    Storage and reheating

    Store leftover zucchini boats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We reheat these in the oven in a casserole dish covered with aluminum foil. It actually takes about as long as when we bake them the first time because all of the ingredients are ice cold, usually 25-30 minutes. 

    Two ground beef and rice stuffed zucchini halves on a white plate with a serving of salad on the side.

    Try these zucchini recipes next!

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    Did you love this recipe?

    We would love it if you’d leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!

    Feature image of several cooked zucchini halves on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

    Beef and Rice Stuffed Zucchini

    Mindy Boyd
    Fresh zucchini are filled with a mixture of ground beef and rice, flavored with marinara sauce, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and a bit of crushed red pepper for a little spicy kick. Then we top it with cheese because everything is better with cheese! These are also known as stuffed zucchini boats. They are very similar to stuffed peppers and are a great way to use up the surplus of fresh zucchini you may have.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print – Email Required Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 stuffed zucchini halves

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 med zucchini
    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1/2 cup onion
    • 2 tsp chopped garlic
    • 1/2 cup marinara sauce
    • 1 cup cooked rice
    • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
    • 1/4 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp black pepper
    • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste
    • 1 cup shredded cheese
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    Instructions
     

    • Wash zucchini, cut stem end off and cut in half length-wise. Scoop out inside of zucchini with a small spoon or melon baller, leaving about 1/4" thick walls, discard cores. Place in a casserole dish or on a rimmed baking sheet.
      4 med zucchini
    • Chop the onion and shred the cheese.
    • Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium heat until the beef is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
      1 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup onion, 2 tsp chopped garlic
    • Add marinara sauce, rice, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper and heat, stirring occasionally until hot (about 3-4 minutes). 
      1/2 cup marinara sauce, 1 cup cooked rice, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
    • Stuff zucchini with beef and rice mixture. Top with cheese.
      1 cup shredded cheese
    • Bake in a 375° oven for 20-30 minutes or until the zucchini is tender when pierced with a fork. 

    Notes

    We use medium zucchini for this recipe, they are about 7″ long and 2 – 2 1/2″ wide. This particular recipe makes the perfect amount to fill 8 zucchini halves. 
    Total cook time includes the time it takes to brown the ground meat and cook the zucchini. 
    Did you make this recipe? We would love it if you would leave us a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
     
    Nutritional information is approximate. 
     
    See tips, notes, and suggestions in the post above.
     
    Bookmark this page to find it quickly when you are ready to make this recipe!

    Nutrition Facts

    Serving: 1zucchini half | Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 499mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 377IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was with a comment below.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SAM says

      November 18, 2024 at 10:20 am

      Hello, I made this last night for dinner and I have to say, it was delicious! Next time I might try to make it with quinoa to keep the protein high and carbs low.

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        November 18, 2024 at 1:44 pm

        That sounds like a great idea to make a better-for-you option! Thanks, Mindy

        Reply
    2. CASSANDRA Everton says

      October 10, 2024 at 10:10 pm

      5 stars
      Just like my grandma made!!❤️❤️
      I added some more ‘spicy’ spices, to make it more to our liking. For the bite!!!

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        October 10, 2024 at 10:16 pm

        Yea, we like things only mildly spicy. I’m so glad you liked it and thanks for commenting and reviewing!

        Reply
    3. Sandra says

      September 25, 2024 at 1:17 pm

      Very good. Made recipe as is. Good flavor and hubby loved it!

      Reply
      • Mindy Boyd says

        September 25, 2024 at 1:46 pm

        Awesome, thanks for commenting!

        Reply
    5 from 1 vote

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