Italian-Style Stuffed Zucchini (Kid-Friendly)

Zucchini boats stuffed with a tomato/vegetable mixture and topped with smoked gouda. The cheese gets toasty and melty and ties the flavors together. My kids (6 and 9) thought it would be gross when they looked at it, but loved it once they tried it!

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 248 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup fresh corn kernels
• 1 large clove garlic, minced
• 4 zucchinis
• ½ cup crushed crackers
• ¼ cup finely chopped black olives (Optional)
• 2 mushrooms, finely chopped, or more to taste (Optional)
• 2 tablespoons mild pineapple salsa
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano, or more to taste
• ¼ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and hollow out the center using a spoon to create a "boat". Lay each half, face-up, on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until hot and slightly tender, about 10 minutes.

Step 4

Stir tomatoes, crackers, corn, olives, mushrooms, salsa, garlic, Italian seasoning, and oregano together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 5

Cook and stir tomato mixture in a skillet over medium heat until all liquid evaporates, 5 to 10 minutes. Spoon tomato mixture into zucchini "boats". Top each "boat" with Gouda cheese.

Step 6

Bake stuffed zucchini "boats" in the oven until tender and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.