Pesto Turkey and Mushroom Zucchini (Printable)

Savory zucchini boats stuffed with ground turkey, mushrooms, and basil pesto for a delicious low-carb meal.

# List of ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini
02 - 1 cup cremini or white mushrooms, finely chopped
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Meats

06 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Sauces & Dairy

07 - 1/3 cup basil pesto
08 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pantry

10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the center, creating boats. Reserve the scooped flesh and chop it.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, mushrooms, and chopped zucchini flesh; cook another 3–4 minutes until tender.
04 - Add ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Stir in basil pesto and parsley. Remove from heat.
06 - Arrange zucchini boats in the prepared baking dish. Fill each boat with the turkey-mushroom mixture.
07 - Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the stuffed zucchini.
08 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, until zucchini is tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
09 - Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that comforting, baked pasta feel without the heavy carb crash
  • The pesto infuses the turkey with an aromatic herby punch that tastes like indulgence
02 -
  • Dont throw away the scooped zucchini flesh, it adds bulk and moisture to the filling
  • Using a store-bought pesto with good quality oil makes a huge difference in flavor
03 -
  • If the tops are browning too fast, cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes
  • Letting them rest for 5 minutes out of the oven helps the filling set

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