Cheesy Zucchini Lasagna Boats with Ground Beef

These zucchini lasagna boats turn familiar lasagna flavors into an easy baked dinner. Halved zucchini is scooped out, filled with seasoned beef, marinara and Parmesan, then topped with plenty of melted mozzarella.

There's no pasta, no layering and no ricotta filling to prepare. The scooped zucchini goes into the beef mixture, so nothing is wasted. It's a straightforward way to serve a lower-carb-style lasagna dinner.

The boats take about 35 minutes and use ingredients you can find at most grocery stores.

In the UK and Australia, zucchini is courgette, ground beef is beef mince, and a skillet is a frying pan. Aluminum foil is aluminium foil, and marinara is tomato pasta sauce.

Why You'll Love It

• No rolling or layering required
• Loaded with cheesy, savory flavor
• A lower-carb-style alternative to pasta
• Ready in about 35 minutes
• Simple enough for a family dinner

Prep & Cooking

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 3 to 4

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini (courgettes in UK/AU)
• 1 cup cooked ground beef (beef mince in UK/AU)
• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella, divided
• ½ cup marinara sauce (tomato pasta sauce in UK/AU)
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (plus extra for serving, optional)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt (divided between boats and filling)
• ¼ tsp black pepper (divided between boats and filling)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh basil — optional, for garnish

Equipment

• Baking dish (ovenproof dish in UK/AU)
• Skillet (frying pan in UK/AU)
• Spoon for scooping
• Aluminum foil (aluminium foil in UK/AU)

Instructions

Step 1 — Prep the baking dish

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with the olive oil.

Step 2 — Scoop the zucchini

Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to gently scoop out the center, leaving about ¼ inch (6mm) of zucchini around the edges. Save the scooped zucchini.

Pro Tip: Scoop gently and leave a ¼-inch rim so the boats hold their shape while baking.

Step 3 — Season the boats

Place the zucchini halves cut-side up in the baking dish. Lightly season with a pinch of the salt and black pepper.

Step 4 — Prep the filling

Chop the saved scooped zucchini into small pieces.

Step 5 — Cook the filling

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the cooked ground beef, chopped zucchini, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Parmesan, and the remaining salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until everything is hot and well combined.

Step 6 — Add the sauce and cheese

Stir in ¼ cup of the marinara sauce and ¼ cup of the mozzarella. Mix until the cheese begins to melt.

Step 7 — Fill the boats

Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each zucchini boat, gently pressing the filling into the centers. Spoon the remaining marinara sauce over the filled boats.

Step 8 — Top with cheese

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella evenly over the top.

Step 9 — Bake

Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 12 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 8 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted, bubbling and lightly golden.

Step 10 — Rest and serve

Let the zucchini boats rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Finish with fresh basil and a little extra Parmesan if desired.

Ingredient Spotlight

• Zucchini: Provides fiber and makes a naturally lighter, lower-carb base for this lasagna-inspired dinner.
• Ground beef: Provides protein and a hearty, savory flavor.
• Mozzarella: Adds protein and calcium and creates the gooey, melted topping.

Easy Swaps

• Protein: Use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
• Cheese: Try a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan for extra cheesy flavor.
• Vegetables: Add chopped spinach or mushrooms to the filling if you have them.
• Sauce: Choose a no-added-sugar marinara for another lower-carb option.

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F (about 190°C) oven or air fryer until hot and the cheese is melted. Avoid overheating, since zucchini can become soft.

Serving Ideas

• A crisp green salad, roasted vegetables or sautéed mushrooms.
• Fresh basil and Parmesan right before serving.

Recipe FAQs

If you're craving lasagna but want something lighter, these Cheesy Zucchini Lasagna Boats are a perfect compromise. They're quick enough for a weeknight dinner and packed with enough flavor that you won't miss the pasta.