Baked Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef and Cheese

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

Hollowed zucchini filled with savory ground beef, herbs, and melted cheese, baked until tender. This American-inspired beef recipe (low-carb), ready in about 45 minutes, pairs zucchini, ground beef, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 medium (about 1 inch thick) zucchini
• 12 ounces ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup finely diced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out seeds with a spoon to create boats.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Add 12 ounces ground beef, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the skillet. Break up beef and cook for 6-7 minutes until browned.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1 teaspoon dried oregano and cook for 1 more minute.
5. Step 5: Spoon beef mixture evenly into zucchini boats. Top each with 1/8 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
6. Step 6: Place zucchini boats on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted and golden.