Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Family 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 INFORMATION
1⁄2 cup vegetable
2 oz eq meat/meat alternate
SOURCE
Team Nutrition CACFP Easy Recipe Project
TeamNutrition.USDA.gov
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Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 23 mins
Total Time 53 mins

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

Nutrition Facts
Zucchini Boats USDA Recipe for Family Child Care Centers
Amount Per Serving 1 Zucchini Boat
Calories 157 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 50mg17%
Sodium 247mg11%
Total Carbohydrates 4g1%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 1g1%
Protein 17g34%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
*
*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