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These low-carb, keto-friendly Bacon Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats are surprisingly filling! They’re loaded with cheese and all the flavors of your favorite burger, and will easily calm your craving for one – without the bun!
Talk about your ideal dog days of summer recipes.
First of all, can we address the fact that August is already almost half over? School is back in session, and to my delight (and likely your chagrin) – all the pumpkin things are showing up in stores.
In spite of all that, I’m still enjoying all the summer stuff we should be enjoying. From the safety and comfort of our air conditioned house, because it’s still 635 degrees outside.
Fruits and veggies have actually taken over my life.
Between raiding the farmers market on a weekly basis, and buying our habitual produce during our weekly warehouse club shopping trip (looking at you, bananas,) we could probably start a small co-op out of our house.
There’s a method to this overabundant produce madness. It keeps me cooking!
Fruits and veggies are pretty darn perishable, and I am all about frugality right now. Wasting food is out of the question anymore.
When I originally saw this week’s Sunday Supper theme (back to school dinners,) I planned on sharing a completely different recipe. Something delicious from the Instant Pot (<–affiliate link!) which I still plan to share at some point in the next few weeks.
But I grabbed a few too many cute little zucchinis on a prior shopping trip, and I wasn’t about to let them get away from me.
I also had a craving for cheeseburgers.
Funny story about cheeseburgers. The Hubs is a burger FREAK. He loves beef of all sorts, but burgers are by far his favorite meal – and he can make a pretty mean one.
Since we’ve re-entered Gym Rat Life, he’s been using food as a motivator. Right now, his goal is a big, juicy cheat-burger when he loses another 10 pounds.
Well. It’s been a shaky two weeks, and now that burger is 16 pounds away.
In support of his goal, I’ve avoided burgers myself. Which sucks, because I’m a burger lover, too. So when the idea for these Bacon Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats popped into my head – it was the perfect workaround.
Honestly, these remind me of super cheesy sloppy joes, thanks to the cheddar bechamel the beef is swimming in. And there is nothing wrong with that.
Also, if you’re not a fan of tomato or pickle, feel free to swap them out for whatever burger toppings you prefer. I’m thinking mushrooms and avocado might be the next combo we try.
Just don’t skip the bacon.
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Bacon Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 3-4 small zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1/2 small onion chopped
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 cup tomato diced
- 1/4 cup dill pickle diced
- 2 slices cooked bacon chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cheddar Bechamel
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Wash the zucchini and slice them in half lengthwise. Scoop out all the seeds leaving a 1/4-inch rim around the inside of each zucchini. Reserve 1/2 cup of the zucchini innards, pressing out the water between paper towels.
- Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil on the inside of a casserole dish, and place the hollowed zucchini inside. Brush the remaining oil on the inside of the zucchini. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet set over medium heat, heat the last tablespoon of oil and saute the onions for 4-5 minutes until soft. Add the ground beef and reserved zucchini innards. Season with garlic & onion powders, salt, and peppers. Brown the ground beef, then remove from heat and drain off excess grease. Stir in diced tomatoes and pickles.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk and Dijon mustard, and simmer for 2 minutes. Turn heat to low and stir in the cheddar cheese, whisking until melted. Remove from heat and stir the cheese sauce into the ground meat.
- Spoon the meat into the zucchini boats, then sprinkle the tops with the chopped bacon and remaining cheese.
- Bake 15-20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted. Garnish with ketchup and mustard if desired.
Nutrition
Beef and Pork
- Bacon Cheeseburger Zucchini Boats by The Crumby Kitchen
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Pastas, Soups, Rice and Stews
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Poultry
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- Roasted Chicken Breasts by Life Tastes Good
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Liz says
I used to make zucchini boats for Bill when we were newlyweds. Then I found out he hated zucchini. Maybe this fabulous filling will change his mind!!!
Denise Wright says
I have so many zucchini from the garden. This is a genius idea!
Caroline says
My mum used to make something similar but without quite so much flavor packed in – sound tasty!
Laura Dembowski says
Wow! These are super creative and a great way to get vegetables into your diet.
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
Such an unique filling for a zucchini boat, and coincidentally, my hubby’s favorite type of sub. Bet he’d love this!
Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings says
A yummy way to use all that fresh zucchini this season!
Kathleen M Seitz says
I make all kinds of zuchinni boats but your cheeseburger ones sound amazing and have zuchinni I need to make up so will try these. Yumm!!!! I tried to subscribe to your blog to receive recipes and keep getting same msg no matter how I try saying page not available????? P!ease advise as i can see your blog and recipes are Thanks so much!