These Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a perfect lower carb family dinner. Zucchini are halved, stuffed with tasty beef ragu then topped with cheese and baked for a deliciously molten finish.
1cupPuy or Green Lentils - cooked - canned is fine
Sea Salt and Black Pepper
For The Zucchini Boats
2largeZucchini
1cupCheddar Cheese - shredded/grated - or another favourite cheese
Instructions
Easy Bolognese Instructions
1 Onion | 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Gently fry the chopped onions in olive oil in a large pan. Cook over a medium low heat until soft - around 10 minutes.
2 cloves Garlic
Add the minced garlic and fry for one more minute.
1 lb Ground Beef | Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Add the ground beef, season well and break it up by stirring. It is better to brown the beef separately if you have time - but as long as you break it up in the pan it will still taste great.
½ cup Red Wine
Add the wine and cook until it reduces by half.
1 tbsp Tomato Paste | 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar | 14 oz Canned Diced Tomatoes | 1 tsp Dried Oregano | 1 cup Puy or Green Lentils
Add the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, oregano and lentils.
Adjust the heat so the sauce is just simmering and cook with the lid on for 20 minutes.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Take the lid off, stir, taste and season again then cook for a further 20 minutes until the sauce is starting to look thick and rich.
To make the zucchini boats
Pre-heat the oven to 400°F/200°c
2 large Zucchini
Cut the zucchinis in half lengthways
Scoop out the middle part which can make them soggy.
Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Season them well.
Place the zucchini on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.
Fill the boats with the now cooked bolognese sauce. Bake for 10 minutes.
1 cup Cheddar Cheese
Top with grated cheese and bake for a further 10 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Notes
If you don't have red wine or don't want to use alcohol, replace it with ½ cup vegetable or meat broth.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be taken as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and the Family Food Kitchen can't guarantee the accuracy of this information.