Description
Looking for a healthy yet mouthwatering snack? These Zucchini Pizza Bites bring all the cheesy, saucy goodness of pizza in a lighter, veggie-packed version.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium zucchinis – halved and hollowed out
- 1 cup marinara sauce – store-bought or homemade
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese – or substitute with cheddar or dairy-free cheese
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers – any color, red preferred for sweetness
- 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage or ground turkey – mushrooms or lentils for a vegetarian option
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning – optional: add red pepper flakes for spice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut zucchinis in half and scoop out the centers to form boats.
- Combine marinara sauce, sausage, bell peppers, and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Arrange zucchini halves on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon in the sauce mixture and top generously with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until zucchinis are tender and cheese is golden and bubbling.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm.
Notes
Avoid overbaking the zucchini to keep them from getting mushy. These bites are flexible – customize the toppings to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 zucchini boat
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: zucchini, pizza, bites, healthy snack, easy appetizer