Savory Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

Italian Stuffed Zucchini is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines the freshness of zucchini with the savory richness of Italian sausage, creating a delightful meal that’s perfect for any occasion! 🇮🇹🥒🍽

This recipe, originating from lovewithrecipes.com, is a breeze to whip up and will surely become a family favorite in no time. With a prep time of just 20 minutes and a total cook time of 1 hour and 5 minutes, you can have this delicious meal on the table in under an hour and a half, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Let’s dive into the ingredients and instructions to create this Italian-inspired masterpiece!

Ingredients:

Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Zucchini:

   • Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
   • Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and hollow them out, leaving a shell about 1/8 inch thick.
   • Chop the zucchini pulp and measure out 2 cups.

2. Cook the Sausage Mixture:

   • In a skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium heat, crumbling the meat as it cooks.
   • Add the chopped zucchini pulp, onion, and garlic to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until the sausage has lost all pink color and the vegetables are tender.

3. Prepare the Macaroni:

   • While the sausage mixture is cooking, prepare the shell macaroni according to the package directions. Drain the cooked macaroni in a colander.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Once the sausage is cooked through, drain any excess fat from the skillet.
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture with the drained macaroni, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped parsley, dried oregano, and salt. Mix everything together until well combined.

5. Stuff the Zucchini:

   • Brush the inside of each zucchini half with olive oil and lightly season with salt.
   • Mound the sausage and macaroni mixture into each hollowed-out zucchini half, dividing the filling evenly between them.

6. Bake:

   • Place the stuffed zucchini halves in a shallow baking dish.
   • Pour about 1/2 cup or more of water into the bottom of the baking dish.
   • Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the filling is heated through.

7. Finish and Serve:

   • Once the zucchini is cooked, remove the dish from the oven.
   • Sprinkle the stuffed zucchini with grated Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.

8. Enjoy!

   • Serve the Italian Stuffed Zucchini hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 896.1
• Fat Content: 72g
  • Saturated Fat: 27.3g
• Cholesterol: 164.6mg
• Sodium: 2120.5mg
• Carbohydrates: 24g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 7.2g
• Protein: 38.6g

This Italian Stuffed Zucchini recipe yields 4 servings, making it perfect for a family dinner or a cozy gathering with friends. Each bite is filled with the comforting flavors of Italian sausage, cheese, and herbs, nestled within tender zucchini shells.

Try this recipe today and delight your taste buds with this irresistible combination of flavors! 🍽✨