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    Home » Holiday Inspired Recipes » Cinco de Mayo Recipes

    Published: Aug 2, 2021 · Modified: May 5, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats

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    A vertical closeup along with a title text and cute ingredient graphics for Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats.
    A vertical closeup image of a Taco-Filled Zucchini Boat along with a title text overlay graphic.

    These delicious Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats are super simple to make utilizing either store-bought taco seasoning or an easy blend of homemade pantry spices. The choice is yours.

    A closeup vertical photo of Taco Filled Zucchini Boats on a plate with a casserole dish in the background.

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Zucchini Taco Boats is available at the end of this post. OR you can hit the "jump to recipe" button (found above) to be taken directly to the recipe. 

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    A super closeup vertical image of Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats with chopped tomatoes, cheddar cheese, scallions, and corn chips.

    The ingredient list:

    **Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

    • 3 medium zucchini
    • 1 medium yellow onion
    • olive oil
    • salt and pepper
    • ground beef
    • store-bought taco seasoning mix (optional)
    • ground cumin (if not using the taco seasoning mix)
    • smoked paprika (if not using the taco seasoning mix)
    • chili powder (if not using the taco seasoning mix)
    • dried oregano (if not using the taco seasoning mix)
    • ground coriander (if not using the taco seasoning mix)
    • garlic powder (if not using the taco seasoning mix)
    • canned black beans
    • shredded cheddar cheese
    • chopped tomatoes
    • scallions

    Kitchen tools and equipment:

    • chef's knife
    • cutting board
    • strainer or sieve
    • can opener (optional)
    • large skillet
    • slotted spatula
    • large slotted spoon
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • pastry brush
    • cheese grater (optional)
    • cooking spray
    • 9x13 baking dish

    Why this recipe works?

    1. It only takes minutes to prepare.
    2. It's loaded with great taco flavor.
    3. It's low carb (if that's important to you).
    4. It's good for you.
    5. It's a great way to get your kids to eat their veggies.
    6. It's a fabulous way to use up garden fresh zucchini (in the peak of season) when you don't know what else to do with it!
    7. Zucchini boats are a healthy alternative to corn or flour tortillas!

    Can ground turkey meat be substituted for the ground beef?

    Yep! I say go for it!!

    Just be aware that the calorie count listed in the recipe card will be different using ground turkey than it is with ground beef.

    Can these taco-suffed zucchini boats be made totally vegetarian?

    Yes!

    Just increase the amount of beans used and leave out the meat.

    You may want to add other types of beans as well...kidney, navy, pinto, and even chickpeas will work wonderfully well.

    Heat the rinsed and drained canned beans in a skillet along with the sauteed onions, spices, and seasonings, and then continue on with the recipe as written.

    Can these be zucchini boats be frozen after cooking?

    I'd say no (although I've not personally tried it).

    Of course, you can freeze the cooked taco filling on its own, but freezing them as whole zucchini boats may not be the best option.

    Due to the amount of water contained in the zucchini itself I think once thawed, the "boat" will take on too much water, making them a sinking, watery mess.

    The step-by-step photo instructions:

    To prepare the zucchini boats:

    • Preheat oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Slice the zucchini in half lenghtwise.
    • To make the zucchini boats stable, slice a small portion off the back of each "boat."
    • Next, take a teaspoon to gently hollow out the center of each boat and discard.
    • Place the prepared zucchini boats on a baking sheet (I line mine with foil).
    • Drizzle each boat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
    • Roast them in the preheat oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a knife easily pierces the thickest part of the zucchini without resistance.

    To make the taco filling:

    • Chop the onion into a medium dice.
    • Add the onion to a large skillet along with 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute over medium/high heat for approximately 5 minutes.
    • Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet and break into bits as it browns.
    • Add salt, pepper, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, ground coriander and chili powder to the ground beef in the skillet. Stir and cook until the meat is no longer pink.
    • Add one can of drained and rinsed black beans to the taco filling and stir to combine.
    • Remove the cooked zucchini from the oven and (if desired) gently transfer the cooked zucchini to a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
    • Liberally spoon all the taco filling over the prepared zucchini.
    • Top the zucchini boats with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and return to the oven to cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, chop the scallions and tomatoes and once the taco-filled zucchini boats are out of the oven, top them with the chopped tomatoes and scallions.
    • Finish by topping the zucchini boats with crushed tortilla chips and serve hot.

    Additional sweet and/or savory zucchini recipes:

    *Zucchini Ricotta Cookies with Lemon and Blueberry (shown below)

    Zucchini Ricotta Cookies are super soft, cake-like cookies with a light lemony flavor and a big burst of blueberry!

    A baking sheet filled with Zucchini Ricotta Cookies that are drizzled with icing.

    *Eggplant Zucchini Bread (not shown)

    Yep, you read that right… Eggplant Zucchini Bread. It’s so moist and flavorful, AND it’s a great way to bump up the nutrition level of your next zucchini quick bread without anyone being the wiser.

    *Italian Layered Zucchini Parmesan (shown below)

    Layered Zucchini Parmesan has all the flavors you love about pizza or lasagna but without all those annoying carbs to weigh you down.

    Layered zucchini parmesan on a white scalloped plate with a skillet in the background and an orange napkin.

    *Spaghetti Squash and Zucchini Pancakes (not shown)

    Spaghetti squash and zucchini pancakes are so good that you’ll forget they’re good for you! You’re going to love these savory vegetable pancakes!!

    *Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats (shown below) THIS IS THE PLACE!!

    A vertical closeup image of a Taco-Filled Zucchini Boat along with a title text overlay graphic.

    Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's savory zucchini dinner recipe for Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats.

    ⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂

    A Taco-Filled Zucchini Boat filled with ground beef, tomatoes, cheese, and beans in the foreground with a casserole dish in the background.

    Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats

    Renee Goerger
    These delicious Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats are super simple to make utilizing either store-bought taco seasoning or an easy blend of homemade pantry spices.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course budget main course, Easy Main Course
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 315 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the zucchini boats:

    • 3 medium zucchini halved lenghtwise
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper

    For the taco filling:

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 medium yellow onion chopped (approximately 1 cup)
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • ¾ cup chopped tomatoes
    • ½ cup chopped scallions
    • ½ cup crushed tortilla chips optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit

    To prepare the zucchini boats:

    • Slice the zucchini in half lenghtwise.
    • To make the zucchini boats stable, slice a small portion off the back of each "boat."
    • Next, take a teaspoon to gently hollow out a small center portion of each boat, and discard.
    • Place the prepared zucchini boats on a baking sheet (I line mine with foil).
    • Drizzle each boat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
    • Roast them in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a knife easily pierces the thickest part of the zucchini without resistance.
    • Chop the onion into medium dice.

    To prepare the taco filling:

    • Add the onion to a large skillet along with 1 tablespoon olive oil and saute over medium/high heat for approximately 5 minutes.
    • Add 1 pound of ground beef to the skillet and break into bits as it browns.
    • Add salt, pepper, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, ground coriander, and chili powder to the ground beef in the skillet. Stir and cook until the meat is no longer pink.
    • Add one can of drained and rinsed black beans to the taco filling and stir to combine.
    • Remove the cooked zucchini from the oven and (if desired) gently transfer the cooked zucchini to a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
    • Liberally spoon all the taco filling over the prepared zucchini.
    • Top the zucchini boats with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and return to the oven to cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, chop the scallions and tomatoes and once the taco-filled zucchini boats are out of the oven, top them with the chopped tomatoes and scallions.
    • Finish by topping the zucchini boats with crushed tortilla chips (if desired) and serve hot.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 23gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 945mgPotassium: 677mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 776IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's savory zucchini recipe as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    A direct overhead photo of a white casserole dish filled with Taco-Filled Zucchini Boats with tomatoes, green onions, ground beef and cheese.

    More Cinco de Mayo Recipes

    • Salsa Soup with Chicken and Rice
    • Sloppy José Pork Sausage Sandwiches
    • Frozen Mango Strawberry Margaritas
    • Avocado Yeast Bread

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth says

      August 05, 2021 at 12:05 am

      5 stars
      My life just got super busy with my kids going back to school so I am always on the hunt for quick prep dinner ideas and this is now my new favorite recipe! 10 min prep is just what I'm looking for! And I'm a huge fan of smoked paprika - yum!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        August 07, 2021 at 1:48 pm

        I use smoked paprika as often as I can. I'm a huge fan of the flavor.
        Glad you like it also, Beth.
        Thanks for the rating and sweet comment!
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Lisalia says

      August 04, 2021 at 11:30 pm

      5 stars
      My family loved this recipe for dinner! I'm going to keep making it all month long as my garden is overflowing with zucchini. By far our favorite way to eat zucchini... and way healthier than cake-like zucchini bread. SO SO GOOD!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        August 07, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        I'm thrilled you like this recipe so much, Lisalia!
        It's a favorite here too.
        Enjoy!
        Renee

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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