These zucchini pizza boats, with pizza toppings added to halved and scooped out zucchini, are a delightful main dish. Use the toppings suggested, or use the ones your family loves. Someone doesn't like olives? Sub another topping, or some extra cheese! Don't like spicy flavors? Leave them out. It's really easy to personalize this recipe to your family's tastes.
Ingredients
- 1 link sweet Italian sausage
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 zucchini
- salt to taste
- 0.75 cups pizza or marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning blend
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 3 ounces mozzarella , shredded
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
-
1
Slice sausage in half lengthwise and remove casing. Cut sausage into 1/2-inch pieces.
-
2
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. When oil shimmers, carefully add sausage pieces and stir, browning on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet, drain, and set aside.
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3
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
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4
Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise, and use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out pulp and seeds. Leave a border of at least 1/3-inch wide along the bottom and sides of each half.
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5
Place seeded zucchini halves on the prepared pan, cut side up, and lightly sprinkle each zucchini half with salt to taste.
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6
Stir together the sauce, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons sauce on each zucchini "boat," evenly spreading to cover the cut surface. Sprinkle on shredded mozzarella in an even layer.
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7
Evenly distribute quartered pepperoni pieces and browned Italian sausage pieces. Use a spoon to lightly press down into the cheese and sauce.
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8
Evenly sprinkle on the assorted pizza toppings, and lightly sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
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9
Bake in the preheated oven until mozzarella is bubbly and zucchini is fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
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