Description
Mexican-inspired zucchini taco boats deliver a healthy twist on classic comfort cuisine. Crisp zucchini shells cradle seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings for a delightful meal savored by home cooks and families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (453 grams) lean ground beef
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 2 tbsps taco seasoning
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ½ cup salsa
- 1 roma tomato, diced
- ¼ onion, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- fresh cilantro, shredded
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400°F (204°C), positioning the rack at the center for optimal heat circulation.
- Zucchini Crafting: Longitudinally bisect zucchinis, excavating the inner flesh to form sleek vessel-like containers. Position the boats skin-side down in a 9×13 inch baking vessel, drizzling extra virgin olive oil and roasting for 12-15 minutes until tender yet structured.
- Meat Symphony: Activate a skillet over medium-high heat, introducing ground beef and onions. Pulverize the meat into delicate fragments, browning thoroughly and eliminating any pink undertones. Expel excess fat, then reintroduce the skillet to the flame.
- Flavor Infusion: Integrate garlic, allowing its fragrant essence to bloom. Cascade salsa, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to create a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Assembly and Transformation: Ladle the seasoned meat mixture into each zucchini vessel with precision. Cascade a generous blanket of shredded cheese across the top.
- Final Flourish: Return the laden boats to the oven, baking for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese liquefies and develops a golden hue. Culminate by adorning with freshly chopped cilantro and ripe tomato fragments, serving immediately to capture the peak of culinary excellence.
Notes
- Zucchini Selection: Choose firm, medium-sized zucchinis with uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and perfect boat shape.
- Hollowing Technique: Scoop out zucchini centers gently, leaving a thick enough wall to prevent breaking during baking.
- Fat Management: Drain excess beef fat thoroughly to prevent soggy boats and reduce unnecessary greasiness.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly shredded cheese for optimal melting and more vibrant flavor compared to pre-packaged options.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 335
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg