Baked Vegetable and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini with Herbs

Baked Vegetable and Cheese Stuffed Zucchini with Herbs is a delightful and nutritious dish that showcases fresh vegetables and creamy cheese, all enveloped in tender zucchini. This flavorful meal is perfect for a cozy dinner, offering a satisfying blend of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

• Zucchini - 2 medium
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 small, diced
• Red bell pepper - 1 small, diced
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Cherry tomatoes - 1 cup, halved
• Spinach - 1 cup, chopped
• Ricotta cheese - 1/2 cup
• Mozzarella cheese - 1/2 cup, shredded
• Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup, grated
• Fresh basil - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Italian seasoning - 1/2 teaspoon

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds to create boats. Reserve the scooped-out flesh.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper, and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened.
4. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
5. Chop the reserved zucchini flesh and add it to the skillet along with the cherry tomatoes and spinach. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
6. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, parsley, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning until well combined.
7. Fill each zucchini boat with the vegetable and cheese mixture, pressing down gently to pack it in.
8. Place the stuffed zucchini in a baking dish and drizzle with a little olive oil.
9. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the zucchini is tender and the tops are golden.
10. Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, and serve warm.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Cholesterol: 40 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables.
• Good source of protein and calcium from cheese.

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