Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly grilled zucchini boat, bursting with creamy ricotta, melted Parmesan, and a hint of Italian seasoning that will transport your taste buds straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy. These Grilled Stuffed Zucchini Bites are not just a side dish – they're a culinary adventure that transforms humble vegetables into a gourmet experience that will have your dinner guests begging for the recipe!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Wash the zucchinis thoroughly under running water and pat them dry with a clean towel. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise to create two long halves.
- Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the center of each zucchini half, leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh around the edges to create a shell. Set the scooped-out flesh aside for later use.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and the reserved zucchini flesh. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and form a creamy filling.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. If using a grill pan, place it on the stove over medium heat and allow it to warm up.
- Carefully spoon the ricotta mixture into each zucchini half, filling them generously. Ensure that the filling is heaped slightly above the edges of the zucchini to create a nice presentation.
- Once the grill is hot, place the stuffed zucchini halves on the grill, cut side up. Grill them for about 5 minutes, then carefully flip them over to grill the skin side for an additional 5 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender and slightly charred.
- While the zucchinis are grilling, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir occasionally until heated through.
- Once the zucchinis are cooked, remove them from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle the warm marinara sauce over the stuffed zucchinis or serve it on the side for dipping.
- Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Grilled Stuffed Zucchini Bites!
Tips
- Choose zucchinis that are firm and medium-sized for the best texture and ease of stuffing.
- Don't discard the zucchini flesh you scoop out – mixing it back into the ricotta filling adds extra flavor and reduces food waste.
- For a perfect grill mark, ensure your grill or grill pan is preheated to medium heat before placing the zucchinis.
- If you don't have a grill, these can be easily prepared in an oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes.
- For a low-carb option, use the filling as a dip and serve with fresh vegetable sticks.
- Experiment with additional herbs like fresh basil or thyme to customize the flavor profile.
- Let the zucchini bites rest for a minute after grilling to allow the cheese to set and prevent burning your mouth.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 150kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 25mg
