Stuffed Zucchini with Beef and Cheese

Stuffed Zucchini with Beef and Mozzarella Cheese filled with seasoned ground beef and tomato sauce then topped with two types of cheeses and baked till bubbly.

This is just one of the easy zucchini recipes featured on the blog that's also a perfect low carb. This recipe is great when your garden is overflowing with zucchini this summer. 

There are so many ways to enjoy zucchini. In fact, I have a few of my family's favorite zucchini recipes included here in my blog. However, I think this might be one way that allows you to serve the zucchini as the star of the meal and not just as a side dish. 

Table of Contents

• Stuffed Zucchini with Beef and Mozzarella Cheese
• Helpful Kitchen Tools
• Main Ingredients Needed
• Step-by-Step Directions
• Serving Tips
• FREQUENTLY ASKED RECIPE QUESTION
• 💬 Comments

Stuffed Zucchini with Beef and Mozzarella Cheese

This recipe for Stuffed Zucchini is the perfect way to use up all the zucchini growing in our gardens. And if your garden is overflowing with zucchini, like mine is, you're going to be so happy you stopped by today for a visit! 

As I stated above, this recipe has been updated since it first appeared on my site in 2013.  Sometimes I still find it amazing that I've been blogging for 12 years..how crazy is that? Here's what the recipe looked like when it was originally published. 

Helpful Kitchen Tools

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, click here.

More InformationMore InformationMore InformationMore Information

 

Main Ingredients Needed

Make sure you print out the recipe below and save it for later! 

• 3 medium sized zucchini
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup pasta sauce or marinara sauce
• ¼ cup pasta sauce or marinara sauce - used for the bottom of the baking dish.
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup Panko breadcrumbs - you can choose not to use these if you want to keep the recipe truly low-carb. 
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1 | Prepare the Beef

• In a large skillet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or a few teaspoons of oil, brown the ground beef until no longer pink.
• Add the seasonings.
• Stir in the tomato sauce and continue cooking for about 10 minutes or until everything is combined.

Step 2 | Prepare the Zucchini

• Slice the zucchini lengthwise. Next, use a small spoon and scoop out the seeds and pulp from the inside. 
• Bring a large pot of water to boil and place the zucchini in the boiling water for about 3 minutes. You want the zucchini tender enough for a knife to easily pierce the skin, but not completely cook the zucchini.
• Remove from water and drain upside down on a paper towel for at least 5 mniutes.

Step 3 | Fill the Zucchini Shells

• Spray a large rectangular baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
• Then spread the ¼ cup marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish and place the zucchini on top of the sauce. 

Step 4 | Add the Cooked Beef

• Next, spoon the meat mixture evenly into the zucchini shell.

Step 5 | Add the Cheeses

• Then combine the two cheeses and add them to the top of the zucchini followed by the Panko breadcrumbs.
• Remember, if you want to keep this recipe completely low-carb, you most likely want to not add the Panko breadcrumbs. 

Step 6 | Baking Instructions

• Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated 400 degree oven or until the zucchini is very tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
• The Panko breadcrumbs add just the right amount of crunch to the zucchini. They give it a much better flavor than traditional breadcrumbs. 

Serving Tips

• Serve the stuffed zucchini with a simple tossed salad if you're following a low carb diet plan. 
• As a matter of fact, a side serving of spaghetti tossed with garlic butter would be the perfect accompaniment for this recipe. 
• You can never go wrong with a serving of homemade French bread or Garlic Monkey Bread, but then again the recipe will no longer be low-carb! 

FREQUENTLY ASKED RECIPE QUESTION

Can you Freeze Stuffed Zucchini?

This is one recipe you shouldn't freeze. The stuffed zucchini do not hold up well to freezing and will be quite mushy when you defrost them. You can, of course, prepare the stuffed zucchini earlier in the day or even the night before and bake later in the day. 

More Delicious Zucchini Recipes: 

• Zucchini Corn Casserole 
• Zucchini Pizza Bites 
• Grilled Steak with Zucchini Spiral Noodles
• Zucchini Ricotta Mozzarella Galatte

Tried any of my recipes? Let me know in the comments!

This recipe has been updated since it first published in 2013 with new photos and a printable recipe card.