Stuff hollowed-out zucchini with crumbly cooked sausage and marinara sauce, then sprinkle with mozzarella! This low-carb dinner is a simple, delicious and healthy way to fill any pizza craving!
For many of us, comfort is usually found in the form of naughty carbs – donuts, potato chips, candy, pizza. Sigh. Pizza. Cheesy, melted, gooey goodness on a canvas of crisp, bubbly dough. I could sing a sonnet of all the great pizzas hubby and I sampled during our college days in Boston. But, since I don’t quite have my college figure, it’s time to cook up something a little smarter – but just as delicious as those classic pizza pies!
Okay, well, a very close second. Let’s not kid ourselves.
I believe when you have a craving and nothing else will do, you just need to indulge it. A slice of real pizza – the one with all the toppings you really want – never hurt anyone. Enjoy it with a glass of red wine, too. Just don’t go gorging on the whole pie in one sitting. For all the other days when you just want something fun for dinner, these incredibly scrumptious and simple Pizza Zucchini Boats are your answer.
Just halve and hollow out a few zucchini, and fill ’em up with crumbled cooked Italian sausage. Spoon over your favorite marinara and sprinkle on some mozz and mini pepperoni. You can also use your favorite pizza toppings. Bake until you have bubbly, melted cheese and tender zucchini, just 10 minutes. Your luscious, low-carb and kid-friendly pizza dinner is done! And it’s so good.
Buon appetito!
Pizza Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini
- 12 oz. cooked Italian sausage
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups 6 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup mini pepperoni
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Halve each zucchini lengthwise and pat dry. Arrange on baking sheet and fill with cooked sausage. Spoon marinara sauce over top. Sprinkle with mozzarella then top with pepperoni.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or basil. Serve warm.
- Enjoy!
That is both healthier and easier than making them with pizza dough. Nice recipe!
I work in the North End of Boston and it’s DANGEROUS!! These look like a much healthier and still VERY delicious alternative to pizza!!
You have my sympathy! I used to live in the North End and it was a daily struggle not to pick up a pizza from my favorite place!
These could totally satisfy my pizza craving! I love how I can have pizza, but still sneak in extra veggies instead of bread!
Hahah, I am so bad at making pizza bases, that this is totally up my alley! Would make for a great lunch treat as well :D Thanks for the recipe Georgia! x
You combined two of my favorite things together: pizza and zucchini! Zucchini boats are sooo delicious and healthy at the same time, and the best part is that you can fill ’em up with everything and anything. I’ve never tried the “pizza” filling, yet but I’ll be trying it out for sure!
xo, Elisa
Defintiely a fun dinner idea! I like that I can customize the toppings too,
What a great way to satisfy a pizza craving!
Hi Georgia: I totally love this recipe, and I’m now running out to the store to get some more zucchini This dish will be on our supper table this evening…. with a nice Healthy Tossed Salad, and some Baked Sweet Potato Fries. As I’ve previously stated, my family & I love your recipes.
This a great way to use zucchini!
This is great!. I struggle with what to do with zucchini. Not anymore!
I’m a huge sucker for all things pizza! These zucchini boats with sausage…omg! A must-try! :) Looks sooo delish!!
oh man, this looks so good. Love the low-carb meals, they will come in especially handy over winter. Hope you’re doing well Georgia with your little one.
What a clever idea and so healthy and still… it’s pizza!!
I love this! As a mother of a picky two year old (he loves pizza) this might be a way to trick him into eating his veggies. I’m going to have to try it! Thanks for the recipe.