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Lean Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats

Enjoy these hearty and flavorful zucchini boats filled with a savory turkey and marinara mixture, perfect for a healthy dinner that doesn't feel like a punishment.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 290
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4 medium Zucchini Choose firm, unblemished zucchini for the best result.
  • 1 pound Lean Ground Turkey Ground turkey brings lean protein without sacrificing flavor.
  • 1 small Onion, finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano Can substitute with basil, rosemary, or Italian seasoning.
  • 1.5 cups Marinara sauce A gluten-free version can be used if desired.
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Can substitute with mozzarella or feta.
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Wash each zucchini thoroughly, slice in half lengthwise, and scoop out the center, leaving a quarter-inch border.
Cooking the Filling
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add ground turkey and diced onion, and cook for 8-10 minutes until turkey is golden brown.
  2. Sprinkle garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper over the cooked turkey mixture, stir well.
  3. Pour in marinara sauce and let simmer over low heat for 2-3 minutes.
Assembling the Boats
  1. Fill each zucchini half generously with the turkey and marinara mixture, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
Baking
  1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes.
  2. Remove foil for the last 5-10 minutes to brown the cheese.
Serving
  1. Let the zucchini boats rest for 5 minutes before serving, optionally garnish with fresh herbs.

Notes

Don’t overcook the zucchini to avoid a watery texture, and consider doubling the recipe to freeze leftovers for busy nights.