Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Family Child Care Centers

Age Group: Ages 3-5
Serving Size: 6
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 INFORMATION
¼ cup vegetable
1½ oz eq meat/meat alternate
SOURCE
Team Nutrition CACFP Easy Recipe Project
1.34 from 3 votes
Add to Cookbook https://theicn.org/cnrb/pdfs/CACFP_Lunch_Supper_Recipes(English)1-20/CACFP-Lunch-Supper-Zucchini-Boats-ages3-5.pdf

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Quantity
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Ingredients
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Quantity
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide

Ingredients
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Quantity
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide

Ingredients
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Quantity
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide

Ingredients
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ cup + 1 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded

Quantity
 

  • - - Nonstick cooking spray
  • 3 - Zucchinis (10 oz), fresh, small, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
  • 11 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
  • 1 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
  • 3 Tbsp Water
  • ¼ 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 baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
  • 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 baking sheet, 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 a small skillet on medium-high heat. When beef is no longer pink, about 5–7 minutes, add taco seasoning and water. Stir. Cook for 3 minutes, or until taco seasoning and water have cooked into the beef. Heat to an internal temperature of 165 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds. Remove from heat. Wash hands after touching uncooked ground beef.
  • 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

Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Family Child Care Centers
Amount Per Serving
 
1 Zucchini Boat
Calories
111
Total Fat
 
6
g
9
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Cholesterol
 
38
mg
13
%
Sodium
 
136
mg
6
%
Total Carbohydrate
 
2
g
1
%
Dietary Fiber
 
0
g
0
%
Total Sugars
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Calcium
 
14
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
N/A=data not available
*Marketing Guide
The CHEF TIPS:
  • 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