Description
Pizza Zucchini Boats are a delicious low-carb meal option filled with cheese, pepperoni, and savory pizza sauce, making them a perfect alternative to traditional pizza.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large zucchini squash
- 1½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ¾ cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- ⅔ cup sliced mini pepperoni
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
- Parmesan cheese (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise but do not cut off the tops. Use either a spoon or a melon baller to scoop out the insides of the zucchini. (Be careful not to pierce through the zucchini) Place the sliced and scooped zucchini halves, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Blot the inside of the zucchini with a paper towel.
- Use a pastry brush to brush each of the zucchini halves with the extra virgin olive oil.
- Sprinkle each halved zucchini with Italian seasoning, kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove the zucchini from the oven. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Spread 1½ tablespoons of pizza sauce down the center of each zucchini.
- Sprinkle each zucchini half with ¼ cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese over the pizza sauce.
- Arrange 14-16 slices of mini pepperoni over the mozzarella cheese layer. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Turn on the broiler and broil for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is slightly charred.
- Allow the pizza boats to rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the toppings to your preference.
- For a vegetarian option, skip the pepperoni and add extra veggies.
- Ensure the zucchini is firm to help hold the filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 zucchini boat
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg