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!

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and set it aside.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Spoon the cheese mixture into the hollowed-out zucchini boats, dividing it evenly among them.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

Place the stuffed zucchini in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the tops.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the zucchini are tender and the tops are golden brown and bubbly.

Step 9

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.

Step 10

Let the zucchini cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Zucchini Surprise!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1346.5 grams (1346.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1686

Total Fat 102.00g	131%
Saturated Fat 47.20g	236%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.20g
Cholesterol 283mg	94%
Sodium 11902mg	517%
Total Carbohydrate 130.10g	47%
Dietary Fiber 9.90g	35%
Total Sugars 63.50g
Protein 80.90g	162%

Vitamin D 16IU	79%
Calcium 2228mg	171%
Iron 7mg	36%
Potassium 2208mg	47%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.1%

Protein: 18.4%

Carbs: 29.5%