Zucchini Pizza Boats

Name: Zucchini Pizza Boats
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 6 medium zucchini ((2 1/2 lbs)); 1 Tbsp olive oil; Salt (and black pepper, to taste); 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1 cup pizza sauce* (store-bought or homemade); 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices; 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

Published June 10, 2024. Updated June 18, 2024

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Zucchini Pizza Boats are a healthier yet delicious way to enjoy the tempting flavors of crave worthy homemade pizza without a heavy pizza crust. They are made with fresh zucchini halves, tomato-rich pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese and savory mini pepperoni. A total upgrade on vegetables!

Zucchini Pizza Boats on a large baking sheet with a green cloth to the side.

Easy Zucchini Pizzas!

These are one of the tastiest things you can make with fresh zucchini! Plus in the summer aren’t we always looking for more ways to cook with zucchini?

They come together quickly, they taste so similar to the real thing, and it’s a great way to boost your veggie intake for the day.

You’ll actually find these to be quite hearty and filling thanks to all that cheese, and they are a good option if you are trying to cut some carbs.

You can switch them up and try other toppings, make them spicy by finishing with a fair dose of red pepper flakes, and keep them simple by using shortcuts like a store-bought sauce.

Simply put these are such fun summery take on traditional pizza and I’m nearly certain you’ll love them!

Close up photo of zucchini pizza boats on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Zucchini Pizza Boat Ingredients

Fresh zucchini: You’ll want to use medium zucchini that are even in size so they finish baking through at the same time.
Olive oil: Oil is used for roasting the zucchini to keep it from drying.
Italian seasoning: This seasoning blend adds a light herby flavor for an extra layer of flavor.
Garlic powder: Originally I used fresh garlic in the recipe (1 tsp) but dried is easier and a bit more mild here which works well.
Salt and pepper: Season to taste with these.
Pizza sauce: For a quick meal I usually use store-bought pizza sauce in a jar, though homemade is a great option if you’ve got extra time. Marinara sauce can also be used.
Mozzarella cheese: For best results use freshly shredded mozzarella cheese. Low moisture aged is recommended, not high moisture fresh.
Parmesan cheese: This adds another cheesy boost of flavor and pairs beautifully with the flavor of zucchini.
Mini pepperoni slices: Regular pepperoni will work just fine too, just dice them up a bit to a smaller size.
Fresh basil: This could be omitted if you don’t have it but it adds a nice pop of freshness to these and I highly recommend trying it.

Ingredients used for zucchini pizza.

Topping Variations

Other toppings that would pair well on zucchini pizzas include other meats. Vegetables would work too if you really want a veggie heavy “pizza.”

Here are some good options:

Cooked Italian sausage
Cooked bacon
Canadian bacon or ham
Anchovies
Olives
Onions
Bell peppers
Halved petite grape tomatoes
Pesto (add after baking in place of fresh basil)

Zucchini boats with scooped out flesh. Zucchini boat halves on a baking sheet. Zucchini portions with a pizza sauce filled center.

How to Make Zucchini Pizza Boats

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Cut each zucchini into halves through the length (if one doesn’t lie flat trim a thin portion from bottoms so that they will lie mostly flat.). Scoop only about 1/4-inch of the flesh from the center of the zucchini leaving a small rim around each side (like a boat shape). Align on prepared baking sheet.
Brush top and bottom side of zucchini lightly with olive oil. Set cut side up and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then season evenly with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Spoon and spread a slightly heaping 1 Tbsp pizza sauce over each zucchini, leaving a small rim near edges uncoated.
Sprinkle tops evenly with parmesan cheese then mozzarella cheese.
Top with pepperoni slices.
Bake in preheated oven 14 – 18 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and serve.

Zucchini pizza boats with shredded cheese on top. Raw fully prepared zucchini boats before cooking. Completed zucchini pizza boats shown after baking through and completed.

How to Store and Reheat Zucchini Pizzas

Zucchini pizza boats can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Store them in an airtight container.
Reheat individual servings in the microwave for about 45+ seconds on high power on a microwave safe dish.
Or reheat on a baking dish at 350 degrees until warmed through, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Helpful Tips

Browning the cheese: For a more golden brown zucchini pizza remove from the oven at the end of baking, move oven rack closer to center and preheat the broiler. Then broil just briefly until golden brown (don’t walk away, watch them closely).
Adding more toppings: If you choose to add more toppings you can scoop more flesh from the center of the zucchini, this is a good option if you want to replace the pepperoni with cooked sausage.
Bake time: Bake time will vary depending on how thick your zucchini are and how crisp/tender you want them. Pierce through with a knife near the end to check for doneness.
How to use leftover zucchini pulp: You can add the scooped out centers of zucchini to muffins, saute it with other summer vegetables, or mix it into a green smoothie.

Zucchini halves with melted mozzarella, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and basil on top.

More Tasty Ways to Make Zucchini Boats!

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