Turkey Pesto Stuffed Zucchini is a delicious and healthy dish that features tender zucchini boats filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, pesto, and cheese. This recipe is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a flavorful meal prep option!

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchini
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Olive oil (for drizzling)

Timing

Making Turkey Pesto Stuffed Zucchini takes about 15 minutes for preparation and 25 minutes for cooking.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Zucchini

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice Zucchini: Cut the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds to create boats. Use a spoon to remove enough flesh to hold the filling, leaving a bit of zucchini for structure.
3. Season Zucchini: Place the zucchini halves on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Turkey Filling

1. Cook Turkey: In a large skillet over medium heat, add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Add Ground Turkey: Add the ground turkey to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Mix in Other Ingredients: Once the turkey is cooked, stir in the pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.

Step 3: Stuff the Zucchini

1. Fill Zucchini Boats: Spoon the turkey and pesto mixture into each zucchini half, pressing down gently to pack it in.
2. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the stuffed zucchini.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve

1. Enjoy: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your Turkey Pesto Stuffed Zucchini warm as a delicious and healthy meal!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Turkey Pesto Stuffed Zucchini (per serving, based on 4 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	280
Protein	30g
Fat	15g
Carbohydrates	10g
Fiber	3g
Sugar	3g

Tips for Customization

• Vegetable Additions: Add chopped bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to the turkey filling for extra veggies.
• Cheese Varieties: Substitute mozzarella with other cheeses like feta or cheddar for different flavors.
• Spice It Up: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture for a spicy kick.

Conclusion

Turkey Pesto Stuffed Zucchini is a flavorful and nutritious dish that combines the freshness of zucchini with the savory taste of turkey and pesto. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or meal prep, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings while keeping it healthy. Enjoy this delightful recipe!