I love pizza. My garden is overflowing with healthy zucchini. So it's no surprise that I love zucchini pizza boats! These are a great way to use up extra zucchini, and they're so delicious.
The boats are made by hollowing out zucchini halves and then filling them with your favorite pizza toppings. I like to use pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni. But you can get creative with your toppings. Some other easy pizza recipes on my site include these Naan pizzas and these mini pizzas that are so quick and easy!
Table of contents
Why I love these
They have all the taste of pizza but are healthy. There is no bread crust of any kind, just a scooped-out zucchini half holding all the delicious pizza toppings.
You can customize these with your favorite toppings by adding some diced vegetables, like mushrooms, onions, or other peppers. Or go for a more exotic flavor with some pesto, goat cheese, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
This recipe is all about fresh ingredients. If you have zucchini growing like crazy, this will use up a bunch!
- 4 medium zucchini - there is a picture a little further down showing what a medium zucchini looks like.
- 1 cup pizza sauce - this makes it taste like pizza.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - Use more if you love cheese.
- Bell pepper (your choice of color!)
- Red onion - I like both the taste and the color
- coarse salt - this adds flavor to the zucchini.
- Italian seasoning - if you want a strong Italian flavor, use a blend of Italian seasoning made up of traditional Italian herbs.
- Deli pepperoni - The pieces are usually larger but I cut them into quarters or even smaller.
Substitutions and Variations
- I usually use pizza sauce, but if I don't have any handy, marinara sauce works just as well!
- Add some red pepper flakes to your pizza sauce if you want a little more heat.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni and add some extra vegetables, like mushrooms, onions, or different colored peppers.
- You can also use the shelf-stable pepperoni most grocery stores sell. The tiny round ones are great. Go ahead and substitute sausage for pepperoni if you like sausage more. I would make sure the sausage is precooked before adding.
Tip about the zucchini size
A medium-sized one doesn't mean much if you are not a regular zucchini grower or purchaser. I put down a ruler for you. The one on the left is the ideal size in my opinion. The ones on the right are just a touch large. But, zucchini, grow so fast in the garden! Part of the point of this recipe is to use up zucchini!
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 1
Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving a ⅓-inch shell. You want to make sure you have removed the seeds.
Step 2
Place zucchini halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Step 3
Sprinkle some course salt onto zucchini halves, then spread pizza sauce over that. You will want to be generous but not fill the boats.
Step 4
Top with mozzarella cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. I made mine with chopped bell pepper, onion, cut-up deli pepperoni, and sprinkled Italian spice on top. Some finely grated parmesan cheese is great on top as a final layer but is optional.
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Step 5
Bake for 15 minutes, watching for the point where the cheese is melted and bubbly.
After removing from the oven, top with fresh herbs. I love using fresh chopped basil.
Serve immediately.
Storage and Reheating
These pizza boats store well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to reheat them in either the oven or my toaster oven. Preheat to 350 degrees F and heat until you notice the cheese is bubbly/melted.
Unfortunately, zucchini does not freeze well so I do not recommend freezing!
FAQs
Yes. Preheat your grill to medium heat and grill for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Make some 'boats' any way you can. You can also cut into large round slices in sections of the zucchini that don't all seeds in the middle. You wouldn't want to eat the seeds and they might not hold the pizza toppings.
Just make extra. Watch for the bubbling cheese to see when they are done. You do not want to overcook them or the zucchini get mushy.
As long as the zucchini hasn't been overcooked, this is easy and perfectly fine to eat with your hands. No need to get the cutlery out!
Yes! Just preheat your grill to medium heat and grill for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Other Italian-Based Recipes
No matter how you top them, zucchini pizza boats will surely be a hit. They're easy to make, healthy, and delicious. So what are you waiting for? Give them a try!
Please give these a 5 star rating after you try them!
Easy Zucchini Pizza Boats
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- ½ medium bell pepper any color
- ¼ medium red onion
- 1½ teaspoon salt course
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup pepperoni
- ¼ cup parmesan finely grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375℉
- Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds, leaving a ⅓ inch(ish) shell.
- Place zucchini halves on a baking sheet and lightly salt with coarse salt (optional). Spread pizza sauce over zucchini halves.
- Top with mozzarella cheese and your favorite pizza toppings. I like adding a thin sprinkling of parmesan on top.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes watching the cheese melt and be bubbly. Another hint that it's ready is when the cheese just starts to brown. You do not want to overcook, or the zucchini gets too soft.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition (I am not a nutritionist. These are estimates only)
No matter how you make them, zucchini pizza boats are sure to be a hit!
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