Zucchini Parmesan

Prep Time:30 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Servings: 4 minutes

Nothing goes to waste in this twist on eggplant Parmesan, as the scooped-out zucchini flesh gets mixed into the meat sauce. Use long, straight zucchini for this dish, which are easier to hollow out for stuffing.

Ingredients:
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 small onion, diced (1/2 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ teaspoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried
  • 6 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
  • 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 6 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and coat with cooking spray.
  2. Heat 2 tsp. oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds more. Add tomatoes, honey, salt, and pepper. If using dried basil, add it now. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. If using fresh basil, add it now.
  3. Meanwhile, score the cut sides of each zucchini half in a crisscross pattern, taking care not to cut through the skin. Place the halves, cut-side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
  4. Heat the remaining 1 tsp. oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian seasoning. Cook, breaking up the beef, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the beef to the sauce mixture.
  5. When the zucchini are cool enough to handle, carefully scoop out the center of each half with a spoon, leaving about 1/2 inch of flesh attached to the skin. Chop the scooped-out zucchini and add it to the sauce mixture. Place the zucchini halves, cut-side up, on the baking sheet.
  6. Stuff about 1/3 cup of the sauce mixture into each zucchini half. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. Parmesan and 1 1/2 tsp. mozzarella on each zucchini half. Return the zucchini to the oven and bake until heated through and golden brown, about 20 minutes.