15 Best Zucchini Boats That Make This Summer Squash a Meal

By

Melanie Fincher

Updated on July 13, 2023

two stuffed zucchini halves garnished with sour cream and chopped cilantro — Photo:
Chef John

Summer squash season is just around the corner, and as usual, zucchini is the leader of the pack. This sweet, summertime squash makes a wonderful appetizer or side dish, but how to make it a meal? Stuff it! Zucchini boats are the perfect way to make an otherwise light veggie side into a hearty and filling meal. To make zucchini boats, simply scoop the flesh out of the zucchini halves and stuff them with a filling of your choice. Voila! You have a meal, and a creative way to use up all the zucchini in your garden. Not to mention it's a low-carb alternative to your favorite meaty and cheesy dishes. Keep reading for our 15 best zucchini boats you'll want to make all summer long.

01 of 15

Stuffed Zucchini

Stuffed Zucchini — naples34102

"Delicious," says reviewer CYARHIA. "I didn't have a lot of excitement for this one but I had a lot of zucchini to use so I tried it and was pleasantly surprised! Tastes like lasagna but so much healthier!" This is our most popular stuffed zucchini recipe, with over 500 glowing reviews.

02 of 15

Zucchini Boats on the Grill

Zucchini Boats on the Grill — AllrecipesPhoto

When summer squash meets the grill you have the ultimate summertime side dish. Stuff the summer squash and you have the ultimate summertime meal! "I make these all the time and you can just about throw anything in them," says reviewer JUDE2666.

03 of 15

Cheese and Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

a glass baking dish holding two stuffed zucchini halves topped with browned cheese — BRBayless

"With an overabundance of squash, this is my summer to have a zucchini dish nearly every night," says reviewer By the Lake. "We don't mind! I made it exactly as the recipe called for. No changes need to be made." Italian sausage, cheese, and seasoning make an otherwise boring zucchini into a hearty, flavorful meal.

04 of 15

Stuffed Zucchini with Chicken Sausage

Stuffed Zucchini with Chicken Sausage — Rock_lobster

Sweet summer squash is the perfect balance to spicy Italian-style sausage and pepper. "Perfect blend of flavors," says reviewer bunyardj. "I was wondering if this would fill me up since it's vegetable based, but it definitely did the trick!"

05 of 15

Zucchini with Chickpea and Mushroom Stuffing

Zucchini with Chickpea and Mushroom Stuffing — Kim

This is an entirely vegetarian take on zucchini boats. Recipe creator jackie says, "A great vegetable dish that can be used as a centerpiece or as a side. Can be lovely when served with tomato based sauce and a green vegetable, or I have even had them with traditional roasted vegetables at Christmas."

06 of 15

Stuffed Zucchini Casserole

Stuffed Zucchini Casserole — LYNNINMA

"This was a wonderful way to use zucchini," says reviewer bobthecow24. "I grew some monster zucchinis in my garden this year and wasn't sure what to do with them. This fit the bill perfectly."

07 of 15

Stuffed Zucchini I

Stuffed Zucchini I — whoshungry

"In this recipe zucchini are hollowed into 'boats' and stuffed with bread crumbs, Cheddar cheese, onion, parsley, egg and Parmesan cheese. A hearty side dish or main meal," says recipe creator Debbie.

08 of 15

Mushroom Stuffed Zucchini

Mushroom Stuffed Zucchini — CookinBug

These meatless zucchini boats are hearty enough to make a meal. "As I went to make dinner I realized I had most of the ingredients just out of the garden," says reviewer Carol Foster.

09 of 15

Easy Stuffed Zucchini

Easy Stuffed Zucchini — Sugarplum

Zucchini is packed full of meat, jarred sauce, and cheese — what's not to love? "I can't even tell you how good this is," says reviewer FLFeline. "I followed the directions exactly and I served it with a salad and garlic bread. This one is now a permanent part of my go-to recipes!"

10 of 15

Pepperoni Stuffed Zucchini

Pepperoni Stuffed Zucchini — Cat Lady Cyndi

Consider these zucchini boats a low-carb take on pizza. All you need to make this simple recipe is zucchini, an onion, pepperoni, and cheese.

11 of 15

Nat's Shrimp and Veggie Stuffed Zucchini

Nat's Shrimp and Veggie Stuffed Zucchini — Deb C

Turn overgrown zucchini into a savory seafood dish. "This was a delicious combination of flavors," says reviewer Kym Cox Surridge.

12 of 15

Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Meat

Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Meat — Scott M.

"These are a family favorite; they are requested all the time and go great with honey cornbread! They are also a very healthy meal choice," says recipe cookinmama. "My picky 12-year-old son LOVES these!" Zucchini is loaded with brown rice, cheese, ground chicken, and jalapeno.

13 of 15

Tuna-Stuffed Zucchini

Tuna-Stuffed Zucchini — emilypaul613

Pair freshly grown zucchini from the garden with a staple ingredient I know you have in your pantry: canned tuna. "Was surprisingly quick and easy," says reviewer Kasi.

14 of 15

Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini

a rectangular white ceramic platter holding tomato- and lamb-stuffed zucchini halves topped with feta and melted mozzarella — France C

"Here's a delicious way to solve the problem of those too-big zucchinis ballooning in your garden at the end of the summer: zucchini boats baked and stuffed with lamb, feta, pine nuts, tomatoes, and more. It's just like your mother used to make, but with an exotic Mediterranean twist," says recipe creator Larry Short.

15 of 15

Chef John's Taco-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

two stuffed zucchini halves garnished with sour cream and chopped cilantro — Chef John

Taco Tuesday just went low-carb. Chef John says that zucchini "is not very exciting, interesting, or fun to eat, which is basically the opposite of a taco." Using a spiced taco meat to stuff zucchini halves turns them into something amazing.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

You’ll Also Love

Chef John's Taco-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed Zucchini with Chicken Sausage

Nat's Shrimp and Veggie Stuffed Zucchini

Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

close up view of Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini topped with breadcrumbs and cheese on a white platter

Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini

Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini

stuffed zucchini served on a gray platter

Stuffed Zucchini

Stuffed Zucchini Shells

Stuffed Zucchini Casserole

Impossible Stuffed Zucchini

Egg Stuffed Zucchini

Middle Eastern Stuffed Zucchini

Tuna-Stuffed Zucchini

Zucchini Boats garnished with basil leaves on a plate with a knife and fork

zucchini boats filled and baked with pizza toppings on a board

Zucchini Pizza Boats

overhead view of stuffed zucchini half plated with parsley noodles

Ground Beef Stuffed Zucchini