Turkey Zucchini Boats

Name: Turkey Zucchini Boats
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 4 medium zucchini squash; ½ medium onion (chopped); 1 lb ground lean turkey; 1 ½ cup marinara sauce; 2-3 Tablespoons parmesan cheese (optional)

By Brittany Mullins

4.68

Published Jul 09, 2024, Updated Oct 07, 2024

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These turkey stuffed zucchini boats come together quickly with only 5 simple ingredients! It’s the perfect healthy dinner recipe for busy weeknights.

Sometimes the last thing I want to do is spend an hour in the kitchen at night preparing dinner after a long day. That’s where quick and easy recipes like these turkey zucchini boats come in!

These stuffed zucchini boats have been a favorite in our household for years. I just love that they only require five simple ingredients, they’re loaded with protein and are so easy to make!

We usually enjoy them on their own or paired with a side salad like this garlicky kale salad or kale caesar salad. It’s the perfect combo if I do say so myself.

Four turkey zucchin boats topped with fresh herbs and spices.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients Needed
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
How to Make Zucchini Boats
Brittany’s Tip!
What to Serve With Zucchini Boats
Storing Leftovers
Frequently Asked Questions
More Turkey Recipes
Turkey Zucchini Boats Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to make – The best part about this recipe is you only need 5 simple ingredients! It’s also super easy to whip up, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Low carb and protein packed – This recipe is packed with a whopping 60 grams of protein, but is low in carbs thanks to the zucchini.
Flavorful and satisfying – The combination of seasoned ground turkey, marinara sauce, and parmesan cheese creates a flavor packed dish that’ll keep you full and satisfied.
Versatile – This is the perfect base recipe to start with. You can easily customize it with your favorite marinara sauce or add extra veggies and spices to suit your taste.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients measured out to make Turkey Zucchini Boats: zucchini, ground turkey, marinara sauce, onion and parmesan.

zucchini – you’ll need two medium zucchini for this recipe, which will be halved and scooped to create the boats.
onion – chopped, adding flavor and texture to the turkey filling.
ground lean turkey – I love using ground turkey in this dish for a leaner protein option. I usually use 99% fat free, but 93% fat free is also a great option.
marinara sauce – feel free to use homemade marinara sauce, but I always go for store-bought to make this recipe a breeze! Just look for one without added sugar to keep it healthier. I love Rao’s marinara and Primal Kitchen tomato basil sauce.
parmesan cheese – this is optional, so if you’re dairy free you can skip the cheese all together, but I love adding the parmesan cheese on top. It melts while baking and adds such a delicious salty flavor to the boats.

Recipe Substitutions & Variations

Feel free to get creative with these zucchini boats! You can add any vegetables you have laying around, add extra spices, add different meat or make them meatless by using crumbled tempeh. Make them work for you. They are the perfect ‘build your own’ meal. Here are some ideas:

Ground turkey: Swap with ground chicken for a similar lean protein option. Ground beef or mild or hot Italian sausage are also great alternatives if you want something with red meat. For a vegetarian or vegan alternative, try using crumbled tempeh.
Marinara sauce: Use your favorite pasta sauce flavor variation or swap it with pesto for pesto zucchini boats.
Parmesan cheese: You can swap this with mozzarella cheese for a creamy melt, cheddar for a sharper taste or feta for a tangy twist. For a dairy-free option, use nutritional yeast or a vegan cheese alternative to keep it plant-based.
Add veggies: Like I said feel free to add additional veggies to the turkey mixture. If you do this, make sure to add them with the onion so they can soften slightly.
Chili-stuffed: Swap the ground turkey mixture with scoops of this turkey chili instead! For a vegetarian option use this vegetarian chili.
Mexican zucchini boats: Make these taco zucchini boats instead!
Asian zucchini boats: Swap the ground turkey mixture with the ground chicken mixture from my asian chicken lettuce wraps.

How to Make Zucchini Boats

Cooked turkey in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Step 1: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and ground turkey into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking apart the turkey with a wooden spoon or spatula while it cooks.

Cooked turkey with marinara sauce in a pan with a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Add the marinara sauce to the turkey mixture. Stir to fully coat the turkey mixture with the sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

A womans hand uses a small spoon to scoop out the flesh of a zucchini to create a "boat".

Step 3: Cut each zucchini in half, lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop the seeds and center out of each zucchini half, leaving about ¼ inch thick zucchini boat.

Four zucchini boats stuffed with seasoned turkey topped with fresh cheese in a large baking dish.

Step 4: Place the zucchini cut-side up in a 9×13 baking dish. Spoon the turkey mixture evenly into the zucchini boats. Sprinkle each boat with parmesan cheese, if desired. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes or until boats are heated throughout and cheese has melted. Serve immediately!

Brittany’s Tip!

To prevent the zucchini from becoming too soft and mushy, keep an eye on the baking time. The zucchini should be tender but still have a slight bite. Check for doneness at the 20-minute mark and adjust accordingly.

Two turkey zucchini boats on a white plate with a fork and a knife to the side.

What to Serve With Zucchini Boats

These turkey zucchini boats are definitely a meal on their own, but we usually serve them for dinner served alongside a simple side salad. This spinach salad or arugula salad are both great options. It would also be delicious served alongside this italian chopped salad, healthy pasta salad or mediterranean orzo salad. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you serve these zucchini boats with!

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover zucchini boats in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

I don’t recommend freezing these as the zucchini will turn out mushy after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you hollow out zucchini?

Use a spoon or melon ball scooper to scoop the seeds and center out of each zucchini half, leaving about ¼ inch thick zucchini boat. You don’t want to scoop out too much otherwise your zucchini boats will end up flimsy.

What if my zucchini boats are watery?

To prevent watery zucchini boats, you can sprinkle a little salt on the scooped-out zucchini halves and let them sit for 10-15 minutes before filling. This helps draw out excess moisture. Pat them dry with a paper towel before adding the filling.

More Turkey Recipes

Be sure to check out the full collection of ground turkey recipes here on EBF!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

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4.68 from 31 votes