Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini boats are filling, delicious, and the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner menu!
Zucchini can be a highlight for any meal. These Zucchini egg nests are topped with bacon and make the perfect breakfast (or dinner)! Love veggie boats? Try this hearty Spaghetti Squash Lasagna recipe for dinner!
While cheeseburgers are definitely better known for being on a bun, you won’t miss it with these bacon cheeseburger zucchini boats!
Fresh and delicious, these zucchini boats are ridiculously good and easy enough for a busy weeknight! Your family will flavor, and you’ll love the extra veggies snuck into the meal!
What you’ll Need for Bacon Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats
Zucchini. If you’re like me and you eat zoodles for pasta all the time, then you’ll love the flavor of this bun substitution. Try to find similar sized zucchini so they cook evenly (and look pretty in the baking dish…we eat with our eyes first)!
Meat. Ground beef is the traditional cheeseburger meat, but feel free to use any ground meat for these zucchini boats. You’ll also need BACON!
Seasonings. To keep these cheeseburger boats from tasting bland, you’ll cook your meat in onion and garlic.
Once the beef is cooked and drained, add in diced dill pickles, tomatoes, zucchini (from the scrapings) and mustard. Mix in well with the beef to create a flavorful filling. You’ll also add oregano, salt, and pepper to the meat!
Toppings. This is where you let your creativity soar. We went basic and topped ours with the cooked bacon, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce and green onion.
Flavor substitution: You could also make these taco flavored by making a homemade, sugar free taco seasoning blend and mixing it with the ground beef (skipping the mustard and pickles). Top your taco boats with cheese and guacamole!
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini
STEP 1. Cut the zucchinis in half horizontally, then scoop out the centers with a large spoon. You’ll keep about 1/2 cup of the zucchini “filling” for the stuffing.
Place the hollowed out zucchini boats in a 13×9 baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Set aside.
STEP 2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain grease after browning.
Add the 1/2 cup of zucchini, diced tomatoes, dill pickles, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper to the skillet.
Over medium heat, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
STEP 3. Add in parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese to the meat mixture.
Spoon into the boats. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.
STEP 4. Remove from oven and add toppings: bacon, lettuce, tomato, and green onion. ENJOY.
Can Zucchini Boats be made ahead of time.
One thing I like to do to make our dinner hour a little faster is prep my meals on the weekends.
First, scoop out zucchini boats and store hollowed zucchini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Cook the filling for the boats ahead of time, if desired, but DO NOT add the cheese. Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days in advance.
When ready to assemble, heat filling on stove top until warmed. Add cheese, fill boats, and bake.
I do not recommend freezing zucchini boats as they will change in consistency and get watery during the thawing process.
What to serve with Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini
Depending on your No Sugar No Flour journey, choose side dishes that fit your lifestyle. We enjoy french fries in moderation when paired with the protein packed meal.
Steamed vegetables are also a delicious side dish!
Finish your meal with a delicious slice of no sugar, no flour Crustless Pumpkin Pie! Don’t forget a dollop of sugar free whipped cream on top!
Tools Used:
- 13×9-inch baking dish
- 12-inch skillet
Substitutions:
- Make sure to choose no sugar pickles (such as dill pickles)
- Swap out the zucchini for another variety of squash to change up the flavor, or try sweet potatoes!
MORE EASY DINNERS:
- Swedish Meatballs
- Zucchini Rollups
- Pizza Casserole
- Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Low Carb Cheeseburger Soup
- Chicken Spinach Skillet
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini boats are filling, delicious, and the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner menu!
Ingredients
- 3 medium size zucchini
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 can (14.5 oz ) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup diced dill pickles
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Toppings: 3/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, green onions
Instructions
- Cut the zucchinis in half horizontally, then scoop out the centers with a large spoon. You'll keep about 1/2 cup of the zucchini "filling" for the stuffing.
- Place the hollowed out zucchini boats in a 13x9 baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain grease after browning.
- Add the 1/2 cup of zucchini, diced tomatoes, dill pickles, mustard, oregano, salt and pepper to the skillet.
- Over medium heat, bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add in 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar and the parmesan cheese.
- Spoon into zucchini boats and top with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes.
- Remove and top with cooked and crumbled bacon, lettuce, tomato, and green onions. ENJOY.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 433Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 840mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 34g
Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Zucchini boats are filling, delicious, and the perfect addition to your weeknight dinner menu!