Name: 30-Minute Zucchini Pizza Boats
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 4 zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise; 1 small can Pizza Sauce; 1/2 8oz package button mushrooms, sliced; 1 small red onion, diced; 1/2 green pepper, diced; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil (optional topping); 1 tsp red chili flakes (optional topping); 2 tsp olive oil; 1/2 lb ground turkey; 2 tsp fennel seeds; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or 1/2 tsp oregano & 1/2 tsp basil)

These easy 30-Minute Zucchini Pizza Boats are a delicious low-carb dinner that will satisfy all your pizza cravings with your fave toppings!

Zucchini pizza boats loaded with toppings.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in some extra veggies, making it a win-win for both your taste buds and your health. Forget the traditional crust; these zucchini boats are a delightful and guilt-free pizza alternative that’s sure to become a new family favourite.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Fast & healthy: This is the ultimate 30-minute low-carb pizza fix.
Customizable fun: You can personalize this with any of your favourite toppings – your imagination is the limit.
Easy cleanup: It’s your dream one-pan meal!

Ingredients and substitutions

Zucchini – you can try making these pizza boats using squash but the flavour will be different.
Pizza sauce – use a store-bought pizza or marinara sauce, or mix things up by using pesto or alfredo sauce.
Button mushrooms – use any mushroom variety of your choice.
Red onion – white onion, yellow onion or shallots would also be good here.
Green pepper – swap out for red or yellow pepper instead.
Mozzarella cheese – I’d highly recommend using fresh mozzarella or another kind of cheese like cheddar, Tex Mex or even ricotta.
Basil – leave this out altogether if you don’t have any on hand.
Red chili flakes – leave these off altogether if you don’t like spice.

Homemade turkey sausage

Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like avocado or canola oil.
Ground turkey – ground chicken or ground pork would also work for this recipe.
Fennel seeds – anise or cumin would be the best substitutes here.
Garlic powder – finely minced garlic will work in a pinch.
Italian seasoning – use ½ tsp. of oregano and ½ tsp of basil instead.

Ingredients for zucchini pizza boats: zucchini, pizza sauce, cheese, green peppers, mushrooms, red onion, sausage, basil and red chili flakes.

How to make zucchini pizza boats

Steps 1 and 2 for making zucchini pizza boats: Prepare ingredients and scoop out zucchini flesh.

Step 1: Prepare toppings.

Chop the veggies and grate the cheese. If you’re making homemade sausage, cook the turkey and seasonings in a large skillet.

Step 2: Prepare zucchini.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Cut the zucchini in half and scoop out the flesh.

Steps 3 and 4 for making zucchini pizza boats: Add pizza sauce and toppings then bake.

Step 3: Add the pizza sauce and toppings.

Spread each zucchini boat with pizza sauce, then top with sausage, mushrooms, red onion, green pepper and cheese.

Step 4: Bake, serve and enjoy!

Bake until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and sprinkle with fresh basil and chili flakes. Serve and enjoy!

A close-up of zucchini pizza boats on a baking sheet.

Recipe Variations

I love these zucchini pizza boats because you can make the toppings just like you would your fave pizza! I opted for a “Deluxe” style pizza with sausage, mushrooms, green pepper and red onions, but the flavour combos are limitless with this recipe! Here are some more delicious ideas:

Meat lovers: Sausage, pepperoni and bacon
Veggie: Mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, broccoli
Pepperoni: Just plain old pepperoni and cheese
Mediterranean: Olives, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted red peppers
Hawaiian: Ham and pineapple

Frequently asked questions

Can I use zucchini varieties other than the standard green ones?

Absolutely! Yellow zucchini, summer squash, or even butternut squash work well and offer different textures and subtle flavour variations.

Can I cook the zucchini before adding the toppings?

For softer zucchini: Yes, pre-cook them. You can microwave them for 2-3 minutes or bake them for 10-15 minutes before adding toppings.

For firmer zucchini: No, you can add toppings to raw zucchini halves. They’ll cook through during the baking process.

How can I make the zucchini boats more filling?

Add a sprinkle of hemp seeds or chia seeds to the toppings for extra fibre and healthy fats. That’ll help you feel fuller for longer.

What to serve with this dish

Since zucchini pizza boats are already a fairly complete meal, you’ll want to choose sides that complement them without being too heavy. Here are some sides that could work well:

Green salad with vinaigrette or a good coleslaw
Roasted or air-fried asparagus or steamed green beans
Make some fries for a real pizza dinner feel

How to store and reheat

Make-ahead: Assemble the zucchini boats and store them unbaked in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or microwave for 1-2 minutes until heated through.

Freeze & reheat from frozen: Freeze unbaked zucchini boats for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

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Meal prep tools

Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this recipe into leftovers.
I get all my free-range ground turkey from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.

4.57 from 57 votes (57 ratings without comment)

30-Minute Zucchini Pizza Boats

Why you’ll love this recipe