This is the Best Italian Sausage Zucchini Boats made Kirkland with cheese blend, mild Italian Sausage, butter, olive oil, tomatoes, red wine, lemon, seasonings, and zucchinis. I have ever made; with ground beef, mild Italian sausage, roasted garlic, onions, fresh mushrooms, black olives, fresh tomatoes, tomato paste/sauce, fresh lemon, fresh basil, Italian seasoning, and Fine Red Wine… save enough to have a glass with dinner.
Zucchini boats are one of those dishes that are fun to eat and then when you pair with a nice glass of fine wine… delicious. I grew up on spaghetti, top ramen, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, and cinnamon & sugar toast. With our family of 9 people, these were considered staples. However, we all had chores and learned to cook, even the boys. And we learned to be pretty creative, fast.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- 6 medium zucchinis
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (topping)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (topping)
- Mild Italian Sausage or links cut into 1/2-inch slices
- tomato, diced or 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
- Kirkland Basil Pesto – Costco
- can tomato paste
- garlic
- onions
- mushrooms, sliced thin
- McCormick’s Spaghetti Seasoning
- red wine (optional)
- olive oil
- butter,
- lemon
- bay leaves
- black olives, sliced (optional)
HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI BOATS
First, prepare veggies as follows into separate small containers.
To make zucchini boats; cut zucchini lengthwise, take a spoon, and (scrape the middle out) remove the soft part of the zucchini and set aside on a plate. Set aside on a plate.
Second, dice tomatoes, unless using canned diced tomatoes. Now take the garlic cloves; remove the skin and mince. Take the onion and remove the skin and chop the onion. Take the mushrooms and cut them into thin slices. If using black olives (optional) – cut into thin slices. Measure out the rest of the ingredients, and set aside.
Now, Heat up a saucepan with 2 tbsp olive oil. Add minced garlic and saute until fragrant. Add onions and cook until translucent. With the mild Italian sausage, remove the casings. Combine sausage with the garlic and onion in the same saucepan and cook the sausage until cooked thoroughly, 160 F.
Lastly, Combine the rest of the ingredients into the meat mixture and stir until combined. And, reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
ASSEMBLE ZUCCHINI BOATS
Okay, the meat sauce is done, now we will assemble the zucchini boats as follows; scoop the meat mixture into the zucchini boats, fill 3/4 full, and place in the baking pan line up each, side by side, repeat with the rest of the boats. Last but not least, sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top of each zucchini boat. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes until done. When plating sprinkle top with parsley (optional).
Italian Sausage Zucchini Boats
INGREDIENTS
- 6 zucchini, medium size
- 2 Mild Italian Sausage (or links – casings removed)
- 2-15 oz. can of organic diced tomatoes
- 1 can tomato paste
- 2 tbsp Kirkland Pesto – Costco
- 3 garlic cloves, minced or 2 tsp Johnny’s garlic spread seasoning
- 1/2 cup onions, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced thin
- 2 Tablespoon McCormick’s Spaghetti Seasoning (Costco)
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 Tablespoon butter,
- 1/2 lemon
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 can black olives, sliced (optional)
Instructions:
- Place 6 -8 cups of water in a big pot to boil set on medium-high. Add a few drops of olive oil.
- heat up a medium-sized saute pan on medium-high… Add olive oil to the pan, and heat up.
- brown the minced garlic in the olive oil, stirring occasionally.
- add ground beef and mild Italian sausage. Cook completely.
- add onions to beef, and cook until translucent.
- gradually add spices and tomato paste to the beef mixture.
- add diced tomatoes and red wine to the meat mixture.
- Simmer for 20 minutes on medium-low.
- Bake at 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper/aluminum foil.
- With each zucchini boat, place a scoop of the meat mixture into the boats. Place in the prepared baking sheet with parchment paper/aluminum foil. Top with cheese.
- Place completed Sausage Zucchini Boats in the oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
NOTE
- I found McCormick’s Spaghetti Seasoning at the Business Center of Costco.
- If have only the Italian herbs to work with… then you will need to add the rest of the ingredients. (Chili pepper flakes, red bell pepper, salt, and 1 tsp sugar or Allulose granulated sweetener).
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