Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Italian Zucchini Boats with Chicken Sausage

This was such a great dinner.



The next time I have a serious craving for spaghetti and meatballs, I am making this meal because it was a really tasty, healthy alternative.

Sweet Italian chicken sausage can be found at the meat counter at your local grocery store. I know there are also some brands in the meat aisle, but generally chicken sausage behind the meat counter is made in house. Chicken sausage = better than normal sausage. 75% less fat kind of better.

Here’s what you need (adapted from Skinny Taste)…

3 large zucchini
1 lb of sweet Italian chicken sausage, casing removed
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce*
4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 bag of 2% shredded mozzarella cheese
Some fresh shredded parmesan

*I used a jar of marinara instead of my homemade marinara because I wanted it to be a little less chunky.

Here’s what you do…

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Slice each zucchini in half lengthwise, and using a spoon, hollow out the inside. Set aside the zucchini you scoop out.


3. In a pan, sauté your chicken sausage in olive oil until cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
4. Add onion and garlic and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. Then, add half of the zucchini your scooped out (you can dispose of the rest). Cook another 3-4 minutes.


5. Spoon a thin layer of marinara in the bottom of a large baking dish. Fill each zucchini boat with your sausage mixture.

6. Pour marinara on top of each boat, then top with mozzarella and parmesan.


7. Cover and bake for 35 minutes. Then, bake uncovered for an addition 5 minutes to brown the cheese.
8. Enjoy!


Trust me on this - these are amazing. 

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