Sausage-Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchini
• pound mild sausage (such as Odom's Tennessee Pride Mild Country Sausage)
• pound hot sausage (such as Odom's Tennessee Pride Hot Country Sausage)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 mushrooms, finely diced (or more to taste)
• small onion, diced
• stalk celery, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 slice gluten-free bread, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon water (or as needed)
• medium tomato, diced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 slices pepper Jack cheese
• tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C).

Step 2: Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the interiors. Reserve the scooped zucchini flesh and place the zucchini halves close together in a casserole dish.

Step 3: Finely chop the reserved zucchini flesh and set it aside in a bowl.

Step 4: In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add the mild and hot sausage. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. Once cooked, drain the grease and set the sausage aside.

Step 5: In a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped zucchini flesh, diced onion, mushrooms, celery, and garlic. Stir and cook for 5 minutes, until softened.

Step 6: Stir in the cooked sausage and crumbled bread. Add water as needed to help the mixture come together into a cohesive stuffing.

Step 7: Spoon the sausage mixture into the zucchini boats. Let any excess mixture overflow into the casserole dish.

Step 8: Place the casserole dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Step 9: After 30 minutes, remove from the oven and top the zucchini boats with diced tomato, grated Parmesan cheese, and slices of pepper Jack cheese in that order.

Step 10: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 11: Once done, remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips

You can use garlic powder and onion powder as a substitute for fresh garlic and onion. Additionally, chopped basil can be used instead of parsley for a different flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.