Italian-Style Zucchini Boats

Directions

Ingredients :

1 drizzle olive oil

1 extra large zucchini

quartered lengthwise

seeds scooped out

salt and ground black pepper to taste

2 pounds ground beef

1 onion

chopped

5 cloves garlic

minced

3 tablespoons dried basil

3 tablespoons dried oregano

4 teaspoons garlic salt

1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

1 cup water

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

or to taste

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

or to taste

Methods :

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Drizzle olive oil on zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until zucchini is fork-tender, 30 to 45 minutes.

While zucchini is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef with onion and garlic until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, and garlic salt.

Combine tomato paste with 1 cup of water in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly. Drain fat from beef mixture if needed. Add tomato paste mixture and heat through. Turn off heat, add fresh basil leaves, and mix until well blended.

Remove zucchini from the oven; leave the oven on. Scoop meat mixture generously into each zucchini quarter and sprinkle each with mozzarella cheese. Return to the oven and bake until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.