Stuffed Zucchini Boats - Easy + healthy meal recipe (2024)

This keto-friendly stuffed zucchini boats recipe is loaded with tuna and cheese for a low-carb, healthy dinner option. Perfect for lunches, too! Ready in under 30 minutes.

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We love quick and easy healthy dinner recipes like these keto zucchini boats that use veggies instead of bread or pasta. Other dinner faves include this keto BBQ chicken casserole or these Zucchini Pizzas. Check out all of our Dinner Recipes for some inspiration.

IN THIS POST: Everything you need to make Zucchini Boats

Ingredients for this recipe:

• zucchini – try to choose smallish zucchinis that are around the same size so the portions are equal.
• olive oil – this is to rub on the zucchini when it roasts
• tuna – look for pole and line-caught tuna
• celery – buy just the single stalk at the grocery store instead of chucking the rest in the garbage 😉
• red onion – you could also use a shallot
• fresh lemon juice – about half a lemon
• dill – use fresh or dried
• sea salt and pepper
• cheese – use what you have – I use both parmesan and feta cheese

This is a spin on the old-school tuna melt. You know the one. We are turning it into zucchini boats – keto version.

How to make Stuffed Zucchini Boats:

Start by lining a baking dish with parchment paper and setting it aside. Then get started on the stuffed zucchini.

First, using a sharp knife, slice the stalk off the top of the zucchini and then slice it in half.

Second, using a spoon, scoop out the zucchini flesh and add it to a bowl.

Third, place the sliced and hollowed zucchini onto the lined baking sheet and bake until it is tender.

Meanwhile, prepare the tuna salad stuffing. Add the tuna, minced celery and onion, fresh lemon juice, and dill to the bowl with the scooped-out zucchini and mix it up well.

Once the zucchini is roasted, remove it from the oven and set the oven to broil. Add the tuna stuffing to the boats and top with the cheese.

Next, broil until the cheese is melted, browned, and bubbling.

Finally, serve with your choice of side – or on its own as a light lunch! We love these keto zucchini boats. Lots of good nutrition, such as protein and fiber yet low carbohydrates and low calories.

FAQs, Tips, and Substitutions:

• Can you use different protein besides tuna? Yes! There are so many variations that can be made with these zucchini boats. Use cooked ground beef, ground turkey, or Italian sausage with some tomato sauce or marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese for a pizza boat. Top with fresh basil!
• Try a bbq version with a pulled pork and bbq sauce mixture or tex mex flavors with shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, cumin, corn, and black beans, and top with shredded lettuce.
• If you want a more rich-tasting tuna melt experience with these keto stuffed zucchini add a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise to your tuna mixture before broiling.
• Sprinkle on some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

More healthy low carb recipes:

• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Bake
• Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil
• Oven Baked Walleye
• How to Make Parmesan Zucchini Chips
• Spaghetti Squash Hash Browns
• Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

*This recipe was originally posted on July 2, 2014, updated on August 7, 2019, and updated again on May 9, 2022, with recipe notes, writing, and new photos.**

If you’ve tried my stuffed zucchini boats, please rate the recipe and let me know how it turned out by leaving me a comment below. I’m always interested in feedback!

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