Zucchini Surprise
Delight your taste buds with the ultimate comfort food twist in "Zucchini Surprise" – a flavorful, cheesy baked dish that makes zucchini the star of the show! These tender zucchini boats are stuffed with a rich and creamy blend of ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, perfectly seasoned with garlic, fresh basil, and a touch of black pepper. Topped with golden, buttery breadcrumbs for a satisfying crunch, this recipe not only elevates humble zucchini to gourmet status but also delivers a balanced, wholesome meal. Ideal as a main course or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this baked zucchini recipe is easy to prepare, irresistibly cheesy, and ready in under an hour. Perfect for weeknight dinners or as a showstopping addition to your next gathering, "Zucchini Surprise" is sure to become a household favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 0.5 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 0.75 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.25 cup, chopped fresh basil
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon, melted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and set it aside.
Wash the zucchini and cut them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the center to create 'boats,' leaving a 1/4-inch border. Chop the scooped-out flesh and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and chopped zucchini flesh, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked zucchini mixture, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella, chopped basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
Spoon the cheese mixture into the hollowed-out zucchini boats, dividing it evenly among them.
In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the stuffed zucchini.
Place the stuffed zucchini in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the tops.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the zucchini are tender and the tops are golden brown and bubbly.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded mozzarella on top. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Let the zucchini cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Zucchini Surprise!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
404 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.2 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.4 g | 67% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 67 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 885 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.4 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.5 g | ||
| Protein | 20.0 g | 40% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 398 mg | 31% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 10% | |
| Potassium | 674 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
