Description
Zucchini Pizza Boats are a delicious and healthy twist on classic pizza, using zucchini halves as the base. Topped with flavorful pizza sauce, chicken sausage, red onion, and melted mozzarella, these boats make a perfect side dish or light meal. Baked to tender perfection and garnished with fresh basil, they offer a low-calorie, vegetable-packed way to enjoy pizza flavors.
Ingredients
Zucchini Boats
- 4 zucchini
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pizza Toppings
- ¾ cup pizza sauce / marinara sauce
- ½ small red onion, finely diced
- 40 grams chicken sausage, sliced
- ¾ cup grated/shredded mozzarella cheese
- Basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400°F) to prepare for baking the zucchini boats.
- Prepare Zucchini: Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise. Trim a small slice from the bottom of each half to ensure they sit firmly on the baking tray without rolling.
- Scoop Zucchini Flesh: Use a spoon to carefully remove approximately half a centimetre of flesh from the center of each zucchini half, creating the ‘boat’ shape to hold toppings.
- Season Zucchini: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, and garlic powder. Brush this mixture over all zucchini boats and season them with salt and pepper to taste. Place them on a lined baking tray.
- Initial Bake: Bake the zucchini boats in the preheated oven for 5-10 minutes to soften the base slightly.
- Add Toppings: Remove the zucchini boats from the oven. Spread pizza sauce evenly on each boat, then top with finely diced red onion, sliced chicken sausage, and grated mozzarella cheese.
- Final Bake: Return the topped zucchini boats to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve warm and enjoy your healthy zucchini pizza boats!
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the chicken sausage or substitute with vegetarian sausage.
- You can customize the toppings to your preference, such as adding mushrooms, peppers, or olives.
- For a spicier kick, add some chili flakes to the olive oil mixture or sprinkle on top before baking.
- Make sure to scoop out the zucchini flesh carefully to avoid piercing through the skin so the boats hold their shape.
- Leftover zucchini boats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated before serving.
