ITALIAN STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Italian Stuffed Zucchini image

When zucchini is abundant, this is a unique recipe to use it. We loved the flavor of the meatballs and the hearty homemade tomato sauce. If you have an indecisive family, some can have traditional spaghetti and meatballs while others can try this zucchini twist. We can't wait to make this again... and again.

Provided by Carol Kroesche

Time 1h10m

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1-2 large zucchini
1 lb spaghetti noodles
SAUCE
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 clove garlic, crushed
1 can(s) crushed Roma tomatoes or whole plum tomatoes (28 oz)
1 tsp salt or to taste
MEATBALLS
3 slices of day old Italian bread
2 eggs
1/4 c Parmesan cheese, fat-free if desired, plus more for serving
2 tsp Italian seasoning
3 clove garlic, crushed
2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 lb ground beef (or bison)

Steps:

1. SAUCE: Heat olive oil in a very large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until they are soft and translucent (not browned). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
2. Carefully add tomatoes and salt (they will splatter!). If using canned whole tomatoes, crush them with your hands as they go in. Lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
3. MEATBALLS: Wet slices of bread and quickly squeeze out the moisture. Shred the bread into a large bowl. Add eggs, Parmesan (use low fat if desired), Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and chopped parsley and mix.
4. Add meat (use the bison for a lower fat content - no one will know!) and gently combine everything.
5. COMPOSE: Slice the large zucchini into 2-inch drums. Using an apple corer, core out the center of the flesh containing seeds of each drum.
6. Gently stuff the meat mixture into each zucchini drum.
7. Place them in the simmering sauce. Make meatballs with leftover meat mixture and place them in the simmering sauce. Cover and cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, turning the zucchini and meatballs one time, or until the meat is cooked through.
8. Serve over spaghetti noodles with additional Parmesan cheese.

*** Explore more Italian Stuffed Zucchini Recipes »

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