Zucchini boats are an easy and delicious way to enjoy the taste of summer. The mild, subtle flavor of the zucchini is a blank canvas for all sorts of creative toppings.
These tasty vessels of zucchini are stuffed with your favorite fillings, then baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbly. But what should you serve with them?
If you’re looking for side dish ideas that will compliment your zucchini boats perfectly, then stay with me to make your dish mouthwatering!
So, hurry, go to your kitchen and taste all these beautiful combinations.
A Quick solution for what to serve with zucchini boats – Grilled Corn Salad, Garlic Roasted Broccoli, Crusty Bread, Couscous or Quinoa Salad, Grilled Veggies, Roasted Potatoes, Pesto and Mozzarella, Mexican-Style, Mediterranean Salad Filling, Shrimp Scampi, Zesty Sausage Filling, Greek-Style, Garlic Shrimp Alfredo, Bacon and Cheese Omelet, Winter Vegetable Filling, Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta, Creamy Seafood Filling, Marinated Vegetable Filling, Barbecue Chicken Salad and many more.
What type of food is zucchini boats, and what do zucchini boats taste like?
Zucchini boats are a popular appetizer or side dish that consists of hollowed-out zucchini halves filled with various ingredients.
The most common combination includes cooked ground beef or turkey, onions, garlic, and other vegetables such as mushrooms and bell peppers.
Cheese is also often added to provide additional flavor. Zucchini boats have a mild flavor that allows the flavors of the other ingredients to come through, making them very tasty.
The texture of the zucchini can vary depending on how long it is cooked; if it’s cooked longer, it will become softer and more tender, while if it’s cooked for a shorter amount of time, it will be slightly crunchier.
This makes zucchini boats incredibly versatile, as they can be enjoyed in many different ways. They are a great vegetarian option, as the meat can easily be replaced with other vegetables or legumes.
Zucchini boats are also incredibly easy to prepare and make for a great last-minute meal or snack. Whether you’re looking for an appetizer or a side dish, zucchini boats are sure to please!
Zucchini boats can also be baked, grilled, or stuffed with various ingredients such as cheese and spinach.
The possibilities are truly limitless when it comes to creating delicious zucchini boat recipes that everyone will love.
Best things to eat with zucchini boats
1. Grilled Corn Salad
Grilled corn salad is a great complement to zucchini boats. This easy-to-make salad is loaded with flavor and texture.
Start by cutting the kernels off two ears of fresh corn and grilling them in a skillet over medium heat until lightly charred.
Then you can combine the grilled corn kernels with cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper for a delicious summery salad that pairs perfectly with zucchini boats.
2. Garlic Roasted Broccoli
Garlic-roasted broccoli is another great side dish to go with zucchini boats. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F, then toss broccoli florets in olive oil and minced garlic before roasting in the oven for 15 minutes or until tender and lightly charred.
Sprinkle on parmesan cheese before serving for an extra boost of flavor!
3. Crusty Bread
Crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment to any meal but especially zucchini boats! Sliced rustic Italian or French bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt will add a crunchy texture and savory flavor to your dish.
To make it even more special, you can try drizzling melted butter on top or adding herbs such as rosemary or thyme for an herby twist!
4. Couscous or Quinoa Salad
If you’re looking for something light and healthy, couscous or quinoa salad is a great match for you. This side dish is full of protein and fiber, so it will help keep you full longer.
Plus, its bright colors make it look as good as it tastes!
You can use pre-cooked couscous or quinoa or prepare your own according to package instructions.
Then just add any combination of fresh vegetables and herbs that you like – tomatoes, scallions, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, parsley and mint all work well.
Wrap it with olive oil and lemon juice for a simple yet flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with zucchini boats.
5. Grilled Veggies
Grilled vegetables make an easy yet impressive side dish that looks great when served alongside zucchini boats.
You can grill just about any vegetable you like – red peppers, eggplants, squash, mushrooms – but be sure to cut them into large enough pieces, so they don’t fall through the grates.
Graze them lightly with olive oil before grilling to give them some nice color and flavor. Serve the veggies warm off the grill with a sprinkle of salt and pepper for added taste.
6. Roasted Potatoes
Who doesn’t love potatoes? Yes! I know you also like it. Roasting potatoes in the oven is an effortless way to bring out their natural sweetness while also creating a crispy texture on the outside that contrasts nicely with their creamy interior.
Any type of potato will work – russet potatoes are classic, while yellow or sweet potatoes add some extra sweetness and color to your plate!
Cut them into wedges or cubes, then spread them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper before roasting them in a 375°F oven until golden brown (about 30 minutes).
Serve warm with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
7. Pesto and Mozzarella
Here, you can spread some homemade pesto over the zucchini boat and then top it with freshly sliced mozzarella cheese, and finish it off with a sprinkle of basil for an easy Italian-style meal.
8. Mexican-Style
For a Mexican twist on this dish, fill your zucchini boats with seasoned ground beef or turkey, black beans, and shredded cheese.
Top with salsa, sour cream, and jalapenos for extra flavor and spice.
9. Mediterranean Salad Filling
Stuff your zucchini boats with a combination of olives, feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumber slices and chickpeas for a healthy Mediterranean salad inside a zucchini boat.
Drizzle with olive oil or your favorite vinaigrette for added flavor.
10. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp Scampi is a great partner with zucchini boats. All you need is cooked shrimp with garlic, butter, and Italian spices, then fill the zucchini boats and bake until golden brown. Lastly, top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
11. Curried Tuna Salad
Combine tuna, curry powder, mayonnaise, celery and onion to make a flavorful curried tuna salad filling for your zucchini boats.
Serve as an appetizer or light lunch option.
12. Zesty Sausage Filling
Start by cooking sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned throughout; mix together cream cheese, vegetable mix and cheddar cheese.
Then spoon the mixture into your zucchini boats. Bake for 20 minutes and top with freshly chopped chives before serving.
13. Greek-Style
Mix together cooked orzo, chopped feta cheese, olives, sundried tomatoes, garlic and olive oil to make a delicious Greek-style filling for your zucchini boats and serve as an appetizer or side dish.
14. Garlic Shrimp Alfredo
This Garlic Shrimp Alfredo absolutely tastes amazing with zucchini boats.
Start by boiling fettuccine until al dente then drain; next, sauté shrimp in butter and garlic until lightly browned; combine cooked pasta with prepared Alfredo sauce in a bowl.
Finally, fill your zucchini boats with the pasta and shrimp mixture and bake until golden brown.
15. Bacon and Cheese Omelet
Start by cooking bacon in a large skillet; next mix together beaten eggs, cheese, cooked bacon, green onions and salt; then spoon the egg mixture into your zucchini boats.
Finally, bake until set and serve it with toast or a side of fresh fruit for breakfast or brunch.
16. Winter Vegetable Filling
Start by roasting potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, mushrooms and onion on a baking sheet at 400°F for 40 minutes.
Once roasted, combine the vegetables in a bowl with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and dried herbs; lastly, fill the zucchini boats with the veggie mixture and bake until golden brown.
17. Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta
A combination of Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta is absolutely good, matching with zucchini boats.
You can start by cooking sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.
Next, mix together cooked sausage, spinach, ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese in a bowl; spoon the mixture into your zucchini boats; finally, bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
18. Creamy Seafood Filling
Start by sautéing onions and garlic in butter until softened; next, add cream cheese, cooked seafood of your choice (shrimp, salmon or crabmeat), diced red pepper and parsley to the pan.
Lastly, fill the zucchini boats with the creamy filling and top with shredded cheese before baking.
19. Marinated Vegetable Filling
Marinate cubed vegetables (such as zucchini, eggplant, peppers and mushrooms) with garlic, olive oil, thyme and oregano.
Then roast the vegetables on a baking sheet until lightly golden brown; fill your zucchini boats with the marinated veggies and drizzle with additional olive oil before baking.
20. Barbecue Chicken Salad
This is one of my favorites. Start by cooking chicken breasts in a slow cooker with barbecue sauce for 3-4 hours on high heat.
Next, let cool, then shred with two forks; combine in a bowl with mayonnaise, celery and onion to make a tasty barbecue chicken salad filling for your zucchini boats.
21. Philly Cheesesteak Filling
Start by cooking onions, bell peppers and mushrooms in a skillet until lightly browned; next, add cooked steak strips to the pan, then mix together with prepared cheese sauce.
Lastly, spoon the cheesesteak filling into your zucchini boats and bake for 20 minutes. Enjoy!
22. Buffalo Chicken Salad
Combine cooked chicken, crumbled blue cheese, celery, onion and buffalo wing sauce in a bowl; then fill your zucchini boats with the mixture and top with extra blue cheese before baking.
Serve as an appetizer or light dinner option with extra buffalo sauce on the side.
23. Taco Filling
Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat; once cooked, add taco seasoning and water according to package directions
Fill your zucchini boats with the taco filling and top with shredded cheese before baking. Serve with lettuce, tomato and sour cream for an easy Mexican-inspired dinner.
24. Mediterranean-Style
Start by sautéing garlic, tomatoes and olives in olive oil until lightly browned; next, mix together cooked quinoa, feta cheese and baby spinach leaves; spoon the mixture into your zucchini boats, then bake until golden brown.
Enjoy as an appetizer or side dish.
25. Grilled Zucchini Boats with Feta and Tomatoes
These boats are filled with a flavorful combination of feta cheese, juicy tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.
The feta cheese adds an indulgent creaminess, the tomatoes a tartness, and the herbs bring the whole dish together for an amazing flavor.
26. Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Try something unique by stuffing your zucchini boats with quinoa! This protein-packed option is sure to fill you up and keep you feeling full for hours afterward.
Add in some fresh spinach, diced onions, olives, red pepper flakes, and feta cheese for even more flavor.
27. Garlicky Shrimp Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Looking for a seafood option? Look no further! These garlicky shrimp-stuffed zucchini boats will satisfy your cravings without weighing you down afterward.
The shrimp is cooked until just tender in a buttery garlic and white wine sauce that pairs perfectly with the soft zucchini.
28. Italian Sausage & Mozzarella Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Perfect for you if you like a little kick of flavor in their meals! Italian sausage combined with gooey mozzarella cheese creates an irresistible combo that’s nestled into sweet roasted zucchini.
Top it off with some marinara sauce or freshly grated parmesan cheese for extra deliciousness.
29. Baked BBQ Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats
If you love the sweet and smoky flavors of BBQ chicken but want something lighter than traditional wings – you can try these baked BBQ chicken stuffed zucchini boats!
Just mix together shredded chicken and your favorite BBQ sauce before stuffing them into the hollowed-out zucchini halves – then bake to perfection!
30. Greek-Style Baked Zucchinis Boats
Get a Mediterranean taste sensation from these delectable Greek-style baked zucchinis boats! Filled with classic Mediterranean ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, oregano and feta cheese.
All combined with creamy ricotta – this dish will make you feel like you’re dining on the coast of the Aegean Sea!
31. Curried Lentil & Chickpea Stuffed Zucchini Boats
If you’re looking for something vegetarian (or vegan!) friendly – try these curried lentil & chickpea stuffed zucchini boats!
This Indian-inspired dish features earthy spices such as cumin, turmeric, coriander and ginger that combine to create an aromatic powerhouse of flavor – all while being incredibly healthy at the same time!
32. Mexican-Style Pork & Bell Pepper Stuffed Zucchinis Boats
Satisfy your craving for Mexican food without sacrificing nutrition by trying out these Mexican-style pork & bell pepper stuffed zuchinnis boats!
Ground pork is cooked in a blend of Mexican spices such as chili powder and cumin before being mixed with colorful bell peppers to create this one-of-a-kind meal that’ll be sure to please everyone at your table!
33. Caprese Pesto Baked Zuccini Boats
Fresh basil pesto mixed with ripe cherry tomatoes give these caprese pesto baked zucchini boats an unbeatable flavor combination that will make your taste buds sing!
Top it off with slices of milk mozzarella cheese before baking it until golden brown perfection – then serve it up hot alongside a glass (or two!) of chilled white wine for an unforgettable meal experience.
34. Meatloaf & Mashed Potato Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Get two classic comfort food dishes in one when you try out this meatloaf & mashed potato stuffed zucchini boat variation on traditional meatloaf that still packs all the flavor but takes much less time to prepare than making separate portions yourself!
Plus – no need to worry about having leftovers since each boat serves its own portion size – perfect if you live alone or have smaller households!
35. Spinach Artichoke Dip Stuffed Zeccinis Boats
If you’re looking for an appetizer or snack idea – look no further than these spinach artichoke dip stuffed zucchini boats, which come together quickly.
But provide big bursts of flavors thanks to classic ingredients such as freshly grated parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, minced garlic, chopped artichoke hearts, and frozen spinach. Serve them warm so everyone can enjoy their creamy goodness!
What are the best flavors to go with zucchini boats?
When it comes to filling zucchini boats, the possibilities are endless. With a blank canvas of zucchini, you can create virtually any flavor combination you, please.
From classic Italian flavors like Parmesan cheese and tomato sauce to Mexican-inspired creations with chiles and cilantro, there is something for every palate.
Here are some of our favorite flavor combinations:
• Parmesan Cheese & Tomato – Add some garlic powder or red pepper flakes for an extra kick!
• Feta Cheese & Olives – Drizzle with olive oil or top with fresh herbs for a Mediterranean twist.
• Ground Beef & Onion – A classic favorite that’s sure to please everyone in the family.
• Grilled Chicken & Peppers – Enjoy this flavorful combo with a side of rice or potatoes.
• Corn, Black Beans & Cheese – Add a dollop of sour cream to really bring out the flavor.
• Sausage & Spinach – Sprinkle some feta cheese over the top for an extra layer of cheesy goodness.
• Mozzarella, Basil & Tomatoes – This classic Italian combination is perfect for summertime meals.
• Curry & Coconut Milk – For a spicy kick, add some diced chiles and fresh cilantro.
No matter which flavors you choose to combine in your zucchini boats, they’re sure to be a hit. Enjoy!
How do you jazz up zucchini boats?
One way to jazz up zucchini boats is to add cheese! Try adding shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, or a blend of your favorite cheeses.
You can also top the boats with pesto for an extra flavorful punch.
If you want to add some meaty goodness, you can try crumbling cooked Italian sausage or bacon on top. For a vegetarian option, try adding roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes.
To get creative, try adding diced fresh herbs like parsley or chives to the filling for color and flavor.
Once filled, bake the zucchini boats until golden brown and bubbly for a delicious meal that’s sure to please! Enjoy!
How should zucchini boats be served?
Zucchini boats can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or even as a main course. To serve them as an appetizer, you can top them with your favorite toppings, such as cheese, olives, diced tomatoes, basil, and oregano.
For a side dish, you can add some cooked quinoa or rice to the base of the zucchini boat for extra nutrition and flavor.
As a main course, you can fill the zucchini boat with lean ground beef or turkey and top it with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese. Add some cooked pasta on the side for additional flavor!
FAQs on what to serve with zucchini boats
Q1. How to make zucchini boats not soggy?
The key to making zucchini boats not soggy is to remove as much moisture from the vegetable as possible. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and thoroughly wash the zucchini. Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the seeded inner flesh.
Blot each of the halves with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then lightly season them before adding any fillings.
Next, place the prepared boats on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 15 minutes. After that time has elapsed, remove them from the oven and carefully drain away any accumulated liquid in each boat.
Finally, return it back into the oven for an additional few minutes so that the zucchini can crisp up. Enjoy!
These simple steps will ensure your zucchini boats turn out crispy and flavorful without the soggy texture associated with many recipes.
Have fun experimenting with different fillings, herbs, and spices to make a unique dish each time!
Q2. How many zucchini Boats per person?
It really depends on the size of your zucchini and how hungry everyone is. Generally, you should plan for one to two medium-sized boats per person. If you are serving these as an appetizer or side dish, then one boat per person would be enough.
If you have large zucchinis, consider cutting them in half lengthwise so each piece will make two boats; this way, everyone can enjoy more than one!
Additionally, if your crowd is especially hungry, feel free to prepare extra boats, just in case! When it comes to delicious meals like these Zucchini Boats, it’s always better to have too much than too little. Enjoy!
Q3. What protein goes well with zucchini?
Grilled chicken is an excellent choice to accompany a zucchini boat. Chicken provides your body with essential amino acids that are not found in plant-based proteins, such as those found in beans and lentils.
Grilling the chicken gives it a smoky flavor which pairs well with the mild taste of zucchini. Other protein options that pair well with zucchini boats include tofu, fish, or lean beef. All of these provide complete proteins for your meal and are delicious when grilled or baked. Serve your zucchini boat with one of these proteins for a nutritious and flavorful meal!
For added flavor, you can also top off your zucchini boat with fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano. These herbs provide additional vitamins and minerals as well as brighten up the flavor of your meal. Enjoy!
Q4. Can I freeze uncooked zucchini boats?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked zucchini boats. To do this, you’ll need to clean and prepare the zucchini first by trimming off the ends and slicing it in half lengthwise. Place the halves on a baking tray lined with parchment paper before placing them in the freezer.
Leave them there until they are completely frozen, which should take about an hour or so. Once fully frozen, transfer the zucchini boats to a freezer-safe container or bag for storage. When ready to use, simply thaw them out in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as desired.
Q5. What is the best way to reheat zucchini boats?
The best way to reheat zucchini boats is in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F and place the boats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil (for easier cleanup). Bake for about 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Serve warm, and enjoy!
You can also reheat zucchini boats in the microwave, but they may not come out as crisp as when cooked in the oven. To do this, place the zucchini boats into a microwave-safe dish and cover them loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1 minute at a time until they are heated through. Enjoy!