Zucchini Pizza Boats are a delicious and low-carb alternative to traditional pizza, combining all your favorite pizza toppings with the freshness of zucchini. These boats are sure to become a favorite, perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or a fun weekend meal.
Zucchini Pizza Boats
Why These Zucchini Pizza Boats Are the Best
- Low-Carb and Healthy: Using zucchini as the base makes these pizza boats a nutritious and low-carb option.
- Customizable Toppings: Add your favorite pizza toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward and can be made in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Kid-Friendly: These pizza boats are a fun way for kids to eat more vegetables.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner, preparing a quick lunch, or looking for a healthy snack, Zucchini Pizza Boats are the perfect choice. The combination of fresh zucchini and savory pizza toppings makes them a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
Zucchini Boats:
- Zucchini: Serve as the base, providing a low-carb, nutritious vessel for the toppings.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps season the zucchini, enhancing flavor.
- Salt and black pepper: Season the zucchini for balance.
- Italian seasoning and garlic powder: Enhance the flavor profile with aromatic, savory notes.
Filling:
- Pizza sauce: Acts as the flavorful foundation for the toppings, providing moisture and taste.
- Finely shredded parmesan cheese: Adds a rich, nutty flavor and helps bind the filling.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully, creating a gooey, comforting texture.
- Mini pepperoni slices: Provide savory, meaty bites that complement the other flavors.
Garnish:
- Chopped fresh basil: Adds a fresh, aromatic finish, brightening the dish with its herbal notes.
Tips for Making the Best Zucchini Pizza Boats
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, use fresh, high-quality zucchini and toppings.
- Pre-Bake the Zucchini: Pre-bake the zucchini halves for a few minutes to ensure they are tender before adding the toppings.
- Don’t Overload: Avoid overloading the zucchini boats with too many toppings to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the pizza boats until the cheese is melted and bubbly for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
- With a Side Salad: Serve Zucchini Pizza Boats with a fresh green salad for a balanced meal.
- With Garlic Bread: Pair them with garlic bread for an extra indulgent dinner.
- With Steamed Vegetables: Add some steamed broccoli or green beans on the side for a nutritious touch.
A Must Try
There’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade Zucchini Pizza Boats. This dish is the perfect way to treat yourself or your loved ones to something special. Fresh, flavorful, and easy to make, it’s sure to become a favorite in your home.
Be sure to check out these other delicious pizza recipes!
Zucchini Pizza Boats
These Zucchini Pizza Boats are a fun and healthy twist on pizza night! 🍕🥒 Hollowed-out zucchinis are filled with your favorite pizza toppings—think marinara, gooey cheese, and pepperoni or veggies—then baked to perfection. They’re not just delicious; they’re also a great way to sneak in some veggies while satisfying your pizza cravings.
Ingredients
- 6 medium zucchini 2 1/2 lbs
- 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup pizza sauce store-bought or homemade
- 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
- 2 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Prepare an 18 by 13-inch baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and set it aside.
- Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise (if any zucchini wobbles, trim a thin slice from the bottom for stability). Carefully scoop out about 1/4-inch of the flesh from the center, creating a boat-like shape with a small rim on all sides. Arrange the hollowed zucchinis on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly brush both sides of the zucchini with olive oil. Place them cut side up, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Evenly sprinkle Italian seasoning and garlic powder over the tops.
- Spoon a generous tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each zucchini half, spreading it while ensuring a small rim remains around the edges.
- Evenly sprinkle the tops with Parmesan cheese followed by mozzarella cheese, then add the pepperoni slices on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, keeping in mind that baking time may vary based on the thickness of your zucchini and your preferred level of crispness. Once done, remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh basil. Serve warm.
Notes
Storing and Reheating Zucchini Pizzas
- Zucchini pizza boats can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, keep them in an airtight container.
- To reheat individual servings, place them on a microwave-safe dish and heat on high for about 45 seconds or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a baking dish at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated thoroughly.
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Zucchini Pizza Boats