Description
Zucchini Pizza Boats are a delightful low-carb alternative to traditional pizza, featuring fresh zucchinis hollowed out and filled with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal that’s bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Boats
- 4 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise and seeds scooped out
Pizza Toppings
- 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 and carefully scoop out the center flesh to create boat-shaped halves. Season each zucchini boat with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Add Marinara Sauce: Spoon a generous amount of marinara sauce into the bottom of each zucchini boat, spreading it evenly to cover the base.
- Layer Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the marinara sauce, then add your choice of toppings such as pepperoni slices, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Season: Sprinkle dried oregano and garlic powder over the top to enhance the flavors.
- Bake: Arrange the zucchini boats on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the boats from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped basil if desired, serve immediately, and enjoy your healthy, flavorful meal!
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit pepperoni and add more vegetables like olives, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add crushed red pepper flakes before baking.
- To reduce carbs even more, choose low-sugar marinara sauce.
- Zucchini boats can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Use fresh mozzarella for a creamier texture if preferred, but adjust bake time slightly as needed.
