Zucchini Pizza Boats

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. 1

   Slice sausage in half lengthwise and remove casing. Cut sausage into 1/2-inch pieces.

2. 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.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

4. 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.

5. 5

   Place seeded zucchini halves on the prepared pan, cut side up, and lightly sprinkle each zucchini half with salt to taste.

6. 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.

7. 7

   Evenly distribute quartered pepperoni pieces and browned Italian sausage pieces. Use a spoon to lightly press down into the cheese and sauce.

8. 8

   Evenly sprinkle on the assorted pizza toppings, and lightly sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

9. 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.