Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Child Care Centers
Zucchinis are versatile veggies, which are great for roasting, dipping, and stuffing. Try these easy-to-make zucchini boats filled with ground beef, cheese, and loads of flavor.CACFP CREDITING INFORMATION¼ cup vegetable1½ oz eq meat/meat alternateSOURCETeam Nutrition CACFP Easy Recipe ProjectTeamNutrition.USDA.gov
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
25 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 lb 10 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 2 lb 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 6 fl oz Water
- 3⅛ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 3 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 12½ - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ¼ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¾ cup Water
- ¾ cup Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
50 Servings
Weight
- - - Nonstick cooking spray
- 5 lb 4 oz Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 5 lb 12 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- - - Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 12 fl oz Water
- 6¼ oz Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Measure
- 4 sprays Nonstick cooking spray
- 25 - Zucchini, fresh, small, halved, hollowed, center* (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- - - Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- ½ cup Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- 1½ cups Water
- 1½ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Instructions
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Preheat oven to 400 °F.
- Spray steam table pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.For 25 servings, use 1 full steam table pan(12" x 20" x 2½") and 1 half steam table pan (10⅜” x 12¾ x 2½“).For 50 servings, use 2 full steam table pans(12" x 20" x 2½").
- Remove the ends from each zucchini. Cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, hollow out the inside of each zucchini half.
- Place zucchini on the steam table pan, skin side down. Bake for 10 minutes. Heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds. Remove from the oven.
- While zucchini is roasting in the oven, brown ground beef in skillet on medium-high heat. When beef is no longer pink, about 10–15 minutes, add taco seasoning and water. Stir. Cook for 5 minutes, or until taco seasoning and water have cooked into the beef. Remove from heat. Heat to 165 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds. Wash hands after touching uncooked ground beef.For 25 servings, use a large skillet.For 50 servings, use an extra-large skillet or tilt skillet.
- Add cheese to seasoned beef. Stir.
- Place ⅓ cup (1½ oz) taco meat in each zucchini boat.
- Place zucchini boats in the oven. Bake for 7 minutes. Heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.
- Serve 1 zucchini boat. Serve immediately, or keep warm at 140 °F or higher.
Nutrition INFORMATION
Nutrition Facts
Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Child Care Centers
Amount Per Serving 1 Zucchini Boat
Calories 111
Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 38mg13%
Sodium 136mg6%
Total Carbohydrates 2g1%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 3g3%
Protein 13g26%
Calcium 14mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
*
*Marketing Guide
25 Servings:
Zucchini, fresh: 2 lb 13 oz
50 Servings:
Zucchini, fresh: 5 lb 10 oz
Notes
- Contains milk (cheddar cheese). Taco seasoning can be a hidden source of
common allergens, which include milk, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish,
soy, wheat, and sesame. - Serve a variety of foods during the week to balance out an occasional meal
that may be higher in sodium or saturated fat.
Yield / Volume
25 Servings:
Weight: 5 lb 1 oz
Yield: 25 Zucchini Boats
50 Servings:
Weight: 10 lb 2 oz
Yield: 50 Zucchini Boats