Mom's Dinner

  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Instant Pot Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef
    • Instant Pot Chicken
    • Instant Pot Pork
    • Instant Pot Turkey
    • Instant Pot Pasta
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Mexican
    • Pasta
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes
  • Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
×
You are here: Home / Recipes / Dinner

Zucchini Pizza Boats

By Susie Weinrich · Date Jul 9, 2020· Leave a Comment · May contain affiliate links.

pinterest image with text
Zucchini Pizza Boat Pin Image
↓ Jump to Recipe
Pin the Recipe

Zucchini Pizza Boats are a great way to get your pizza fix and add a lot more veggies to your diet! Fresh zucchini takes the place of the pizza crust, they are hollowed out to resemble a boat and then loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings.

zucchini pizza boats in a row with all the toppings

If you love this idea you will also love these Enchilada Zucchini Boats! And definitely give these Pizza Burgers a try at some point during grilling season.

Table of Contents hide
1 Healthier Pizza Option
2 Marinara vs. Pizza Sauce
3 How to Make Zucchini Boats
4 Make Ahead
5 Storing & Reheating
6 More Zucchini Recipes
7 Listen To The Recipe
8 More Italian Inspired Dinner Recipes
9 Did you make this recipe?
10 Zucchini Pizza Boat Recipe + Video

Healthier Pizza Option

I don’t think I have met anyone that doesn’t like pizza. But with each slice of “supreme” pizza weighing in at 380+ calories sometimes you need a healthier alternative to your favorite take out pizza!

glasses of wine and white plates with a casserole pan full of zucchini pizza boats

A pizza zucchini boat is going to be at least HALF the calories of traditional loaded pizza. Since the crust is being replaced by fresh zucchini.

To lower the calories even more you could use turkey sausage or leave the meat out completely.

Marinara vs. Pizza Sauce

Pizza sauce is a little thicker and has less water content than marinara. However, their flavors are very similar. Use whichever you have or whichever you buy at the store! I always have marinara in my pantry so I choose to use that for this recipe.

How to Make Zucchini Boats

  1. Prep 9×13 Pan
  2. Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.

    Prep a large casserole dish by coating the bottom with ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce. If you have a dish larger than 9×13, use that, or you may have to use two pans to fit all the zucchini.

  3. Cut Zucchini
  4. Cut the ends off the zucchini. Then cut them in half, lengthwise. Using a spoon hollow out the inside. You will mostly be scraping out the seeds and pith.

    Create a dish or boat in the middle of the zucchini, this will hold your pizza fillings. See the photos below for a visual guide:

    showing how to make zucchini boats by hollowing out the center
  5. Make Italian Sausage Filling
  6. In a skillet over medium heat brown and crumble your Italian sausage until it is cooked through. Stir in ½ cup onions, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried basil, and 1 teaspoon dried oregano.

    Heat through on medium low heat for about 4 minutes to slightly soften the onions. Pour in 1 cup of marinara or pizza sauce. Stir to coat the sausage.

    sausage filling for pizza boats
  7. Assemble the Zucchini Pizza Boats
  8. Place your hollowed out zucchini in the prepared dish. Fill each zucchini with the sausage mixture, dividing it equally. Then top with the pizza toppings and cheese.

    zucchini boats filled with Italian sausage
    zucchini boats filled with Italian sausage and topped with mushrooms, peppers, and black olives
    zucchini boats filled with Italian sausage and topped with mushrooms, peppers, black olives, and cheese
  9. Bake
  10. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

    Let cool for a few minutes then serve!!

    Baked Pizza Zucchini Boats in a glass pan

Make Ahead

You can make these ahead! Simply prepare them up to the point that you cover the pan with foil. Then do not cook, instead pop them in the fridge.

pizza zucchini boats in a dish

When you are ready to have them for dinner take them straight from the fridge to the oven. You may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time to cook through.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftover Zucchini Pizza Boats in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To reheat simply microwave each portion for a minute or two. Or you can place them in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, until warmed through.

More Zucchini Recipes

If you love zucchini recipes, or if you have a garden that is over producing zucchinis, here are a few great recipes that call for fresh zucchini:

  1. Enchilada Zucchini Boats
  2. Healthy Mexican Chicken & Rice Casserole
  3. One Pot Dutch Oven Lasagna

Listen To The Recipe

You can listen to this full recipe, including all the tips and tricks on the Let’s Make Dinner Podcast! It is a short, under 10 minute episode. You can find it on your favorite podcast player or head over to the show notes page that includes an audio player.

More Italian Inspired Dinner Recipes

  • Pizza Burger on a bun topped with cheese, pepperoni, red onion, and green peppers
    Amazing Grilled Pizza Burgers
  • penne coated with a mascarpone sauce topped with parsley
    Mascarpone Pasta
  • meatball soup recipe in a bowl with basil and parmesan over top
    Italian Style Meatball Soup
  • The very best lasagna recipe in a 9x13 pan
    Homemade Lasagna

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
zucchini pizza boats in a row with all the toppings

Zucchini Pizza Boat Recipe + Video

Zucchini Pizza Boats are a great way to get your pizza fix and add a lot more veggies to your diet! Fresh zucchini takes the place of the pizza crust, they are hollowed out to resemble a boat, and then loaded with all your favorite pizza toppings.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 601kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

  • 9×13 baking dish
  • foil

Ingredients

  • 3-4 fresh zucchini - medium sized
  • 1 lb ground Italian sausage - mild, medium or hot, it's up to you!
  • ½ cup onion - chopped (red, white, or yellow onion is fine)
  • 3 garlic cloves - chopped
  • 1 teaspoon each: dried basil & dried oregano
  • 1 ½ cups marinara or pizza sauce - divided
  • ½ cup each pizza topping: black olives, bell pepper, mushroom - add other pizza toppings to suit your tastes!
  • 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°
    Prepare a large casserole dish by spreading ½ cup marinara or pizza sauce across the bottom. If you have one larger than 9×13, use that. Or you may need to use 2 pans to fit all the zucchini.
    1 ½ cups marinara or pizza sauce
  • Cut the zucchini in half and hollow.
    Trim the ends of your zucchini so that they will fit into your pan. Cut them in half, lengthwise. Scoop the middle of the zucchini out so you have a dish or boat to hold the fillings. See the photo for visual step-by-step:
    3-4 fresh zucchini
    step by step how to make a zucchini boat by scooping out the center
  • Brown the Italian sausage and add onions, garlic, and herbs.
    In a skillet over medium heat brown and crumble the Italian sausage until it is cooked through.
    Lower the heat to medium low and add the ½ cup chopped onions, 3 chopped garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon dried basil, and ½ teaspoon dried oregano, saute until the onions soften slightly, about 4 minutes.
    Stir in 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce.
    1 lb ground Italian sausage, ½ cup onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon each: dried basil & dried oregano, 1 ½ cups marinara or pizza sauce
    sausage filling for pizza boats
  • Time to assemble the Zucchini Pizza Boats:
    Place cut and hollowed zucchini in prepared casserole dish.
    Fill each boat with the Italian sausage mixture.
    Top with black olives, mushrooms, bell peppers and mozzarella cheese.
    ½ cup each pizza topping: black olives, bell pepper, mushroom, 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    zucchini boats filled with Italian sausage and topped with mushrooms, peppers, black olives, and cheese
  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
    Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.
  • Let cool for 5 minutes and serve!

Recipe Tips and Notes:

TO MAKE AHEAD
Simply prepare the zucchini pizza boats but do not cook. Cover with foil and place in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bake as directed when you are ready to have them.
TO REHEAT
Microwave each portion for a minute or two. Or place them in a baking pan or baking sheet and bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes, until warmed through.  
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
Jump to Comments
Serving: 2zucchini boats | Calories: 601kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 1804mg | Potassium: 1021mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1043IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 286mg | Iron: 3mg

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

No Comments

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Susie in the kitchen with an apron on getting ready to cook

Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

YOU will feel like a huge success at dinner time with any of the simple recipes on Mom's Dinner! Read More

Helpful Meal Planning Resources

  • a table with white place settings and green garland
    Easy Meals for House Guests
  • a round table with a large family eating dinner
    30 Easy Meals for a Large Group on Vacation
woman owned small business certificate by Sertify

Amazing New Recipes

  • Steak stir fry served over a bed of white rice with chopsticks resting on the edge.
    Mom’s Weeknight Pepper Steak
  • Stack of golden brown pancakes with a pat of butter melting on top with fresh blueberries garnished over the top and a bite of pancakes cut out.
    Simple Homemade Pancake Mix
  • Pulled pork sandwich coated in barbecue sauce served on a sesame bun topped with pickled onions.
    Fall-Apart Oven Baked Pulled Pork
  • Dinner plate serving a barbecue bacon cheeseburger with onion rings and curly fries on the side.
    Over-The-Top BBQ Bacon Burger

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Susie Weinrich
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Contact

  • Sign Up! for emails
  • Contact Me!
  • Join Me On YouTube

Recipes

  • Recipe By Category
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Dinner Recipes

Copyright © 2025 Mom's Dinner

Rate & Review This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.