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Grilled zucchini boats stuffed with sausage and melted cheese

Hollowed zucchini filled with sausage and cheese

Grilled Zucchini Boats

Grilled Zucchini Boats

35 minEasy

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

20 min

Total Time

35 min

Servings

6

6 boats

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Grilled Zucchini Boats

Hollowed zucchini filled with sausage and cheese

Zucchini halves scooped out and stuffed with Italian sausage and cheese, then grilled until the zucchini is tender and the filling is bubbly. A low-carb crowd-pleaser.

15m

Prep Time

20m

Cook Time

35m

Total Time

6

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Italian CuisineMain CourseSide DishGluten-FreeKeto
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

March 20, 2023(Updated April 12, 2026)

Zucchini boats are the perfect vessel for a savory filling right on the grill. The hollowed zucchini softens to a tender texture while the sausage and cheese filling gets bubbly and golden.

Why This Recipe Works

Zucchini has a high water content that steams the filling from below while the grill heats from all around. Scooping out the seeds creates a perfect bowl that holds generous amounts of filling.

Ingredients

  • 3 large zucchini, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1/2 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan, grated
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Scoop out zucchini seeds with a spoon leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Brush with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

  2. 2

    Cook sausage in a skillet until browned. Mix with marinara sauce.

  3. 3

    Fill each zucchini half with the sausage mixture.

  4. 4

    Grill over indirect heat at 375°F with the lid closed for 15-18 minutes until zucchini is tender.

  5. 5

    Top with mozzarella and Parmesan, close the lid for 2-3 more minutes until cheese melts. Serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Italian sausageGround turkey or diced mushrooms

Leaner or vegetarian filling options

MarinaraPesto

Changes the flavor profile entirely—equally delicious

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Do not over-scoop the zucchini—leave enough flesh for structural support.

  • Dice the scooped-out zucchini flesh and add it to the sausage filling.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat on the grill or in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (45mg) · 6 servings

Calories260
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein16g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat8g
Fiber580mg
Sugar2g
Sodium4g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these vegetarian?
Replace sausage with diced mushrooms, bell peppers, and extra cheese.
What size zucchini is best?
Medium to large—very small ones do not have enough room for filling.

Explore More

More Italian RecipesMore Main CourseMore Side DishGluten-Free RecipesKeto RecipesGrill Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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