Zucchini Taco Boats
Delicious zucchini taco boats filled with ground beef, beans, and topped with cheese, perfect for a healthy meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 lb ground beef (99% fat-free)
- 0.5 cup red onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp reduced sodium taco seasoning
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles like Rotel
- 0.5 cup water
- 1 cup corn canned or frozen
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 0.5 cup reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese or cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Trim the ends off the zucchini and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the inside pulp, leaving about 1/4 inch of the zucchini shell. Set the pulp aside in a bowl.
- Place the zucchini halves cut side up in a baking dish. Lightly spray them with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.
- Squeeze out excess water from the reserved zucchini pulp using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel. This step is crucial for preventing sogginess.
- In a large frying pan, add the ground beef and chopped red onion with a spray of olive oil. Cook over medium heat, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon until it’s no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in the taco seasoning, kosher salt, reserved zucchini pulp, water, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook until most of the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes.
- Add the drained black beans and corn to the mixture, cooking for an additional 5 minutes to combine the flavors.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro.
- Fill each zucchini boat with about 1 cup of the filling, packing it down with a spoon if necessary. Top with shredded cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender.
- Once done, garnish with extra cilantro and chopped scallions. Serve with avocado slices, sour cream, salsa, and your favorite taco toppings.
Notes
For a spicier kick, consider adding jalapeños to the filling. You can also use ground chicken or turkey if you prefer a leaner option.