Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Family Child Care Centers
Age Group: Ages 6-18
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 INFORMATION1⁄2 cup vegetable2 oz eq meat/meat alternateSOURCETeam Nutrition CACFP Easy Recipe ProjectTeamNutrition.USDA.gov
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 Tbsp Cheddar cheese, reduced-fat, shredded
Quantity
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 Zucchinis (1 lb 4 oz), fresh, large, halved, hollowed center (wash zucchini under running water before cutting)
- 14 oz Beef, ground, 90% lean, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 2 Tbsp Taco seasoning, low-sodium
- ¼ cup 2 Tbsp Water
- ½ cup 2 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 medium skillet on medium-high heat. When beef is no longer pink, about 7–10 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 ½ cup (2⅔ oz) taco meat in each zucchini boat.
- Place zucchini boats in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Heat to an internal temperature of 140 °F 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
157
Total Fat
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
50
mg
17
%
Sodium
247
mg
11
%
Total Carbohydrate
4
g
1
%
Dietary Fiber
1
g
4
%
Total Sugars
1
g
1
%
Protein
17
g
34
%
Calcium
23
mg
2
%
Iron
2
mg
11
%
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