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    Home » Vegetarian

    Grilled Caprese Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Published: Jun 27, 2023 · Modified: Aug 29, 2023 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    37 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Grilled caprese stuffed zucchini boats are easy and delicious. Learn to fill zucchinis with pesto, cheese and tomatoes to make the perfect dish.

    Grilled caprese style stuffed zucchini boats in a platter.

    We love grilled vegetables and there are many ways to prepare them as the centerpiece of a vegetarian entrée. Our classic grilled vegetables are always a favorite and, if you're looking for new flavors, you should definitely try our grilled zucchini and grilled asparagus with tahini sauce. Today I'm sharing these delicious stuffed zucchini boats on the grill with you. They're inspired by the classic caprese salad and are true crowd-pleasers!

    Table Of Contents:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Stuffed Zucchini Boats On The Grill
    • Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Leftovers and Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Delicious Recipes To Try
    • Step-by-Step Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    • Flavors: The classic caprese combination - mozzarella, tomatoes and basil - works well with many ingredients. If you love this combination as much as I do, check out caprese pizza and caprese chicken as well.
    • Easy: While this dish is a total showstopper and really pretty on the table, it's very easy to make and comes together in no time.
    • Customizable: Add more toppings according to your tastes and make this recipe your own.

    Ingredients

    To make this recipe you need zucchini, mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes and olive oil.
    • Zucchini: Make sure the zucchinis are not too big or too small. There is no need to peel them.
    • Pesto: You can use my homemade pesto recipe to make your own or simply use store-bought pesto.
    • Mozzarella: You can use shredded mozzarella or a ball and tear it into small pieces.
    • Tomatoes: Opt for cherry tomatoes since they contain less water and look prettier on the zucchini. Regular chopped tomatoes will release too much water.

    How To Make Stuffed Zucchini Boats On The Grill

    1. Preheat the grill to medium high. You can use either charcoal or a gas grill for this recipe.
    2. Cut the zucchinis in half lengthwise and brush both sides with olive oil.
    3. Place the zucchinis cut side down on the grates and close the lid. Grill for 5 minutes on each side.
    4. Remove the zucchinis from the grill and scoop out the middle where the seeds are. You can either discard them or save them to use in another recipe.
    5. Spread about ½ tablespoon pesto into each zucchini and top with mozzarella and tomatoes.
    6. Return to the grill and grill for 3 minutes until the cheese is melted.

    Variations

    There are many ways to put your own spin on this recipe. Here are a few suggestions:

    • Use a different kind of pesto, such as garlic scape pesto or sundried tomato pesto.
    • Add chopped cooked chicken or sausage for a protein-packed meal.
    • Use sundried tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes.
    • Top the stuffed zucchini boats with balsamic glaze for more flavor.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve these stuffed zucchini boats as a side dish with grilled chicken kebabs, spatchcock chicken, grilled shrimp or kofta kebabs.

    You can also serve them as a vegetarian grilled main dish with some crusty bread and a fresh salad such as watermelon salad with feta and mint.

    Top the stuffed zucchini boats with fresh basil and crushed red pepper.

    Leftovers and Storage

    Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 300 degrees F for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted.

    I don't recommend freezing these since the zucchini would be mushy and very watery once thawed and reheated.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I make these in advance?

    Yes, you can pre-assemble them and grill for 3 to 4 minutes so they're hot and the cheese becomes melty.

    What can I do with the scooped out zucchini?

    There's no need to waste the insides of the zucchini! Be creative. Try adding it to scrambled eggs or mixing it into yogurt for a quick dip.

    Can I freeze uncooked zucchini boats?

    It's best not to freeze this dish uncooked or cooked because the texture of the zucchini will change and it'll be mushy once thawed.

    Delicious Recipes To Try

    • Overhead shot of mucver Turkish zucchini Fritters.
      Turkish Zucchini Fritters Recipe (Mucver)
    • Turkish Zucchini Stew Recipe
    • Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables Recipe
    • Mediterranean grilled pizza recipe.
      Mediterranean Grilled Pizza Recipe

    Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!

    Step-by-Step Recipe

    grilled caprese stuffed zucchini boats

    Grilled Caprese Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Shadi HasanzadeNemati
    Grilled caprese stuffed zucchini boats are easy and delicious. Learn to fill zucchinis with pesto, cheese and tomatoes to make the perfect dish.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4
    Calories 249 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 zucchinis
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 tbsp basil pesto
    • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
    • 16 cherry tomatoes sliced in half

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the grill to medium high. Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise and brush them on both sides with olive oil.
    • Grill for about 5 minutes on each side.
    • Remove the zucchinis from the grill. Scoop out the middles and either discard it or save to use in other recipes such as dips or egg scrambles.
    • Spread about ½ tablespoon pesto into each zucchini half and top with mozzarella and tomatoes.
    • Return to the grill and grill for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.

    Notes

    • You can use homemade pesto or store-bought for this recipe. 
    • Serve these grilled stuffed zucchini boats as a side with chicken kebab or as a main dish with some bread and salad. 
    • Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 300 degrees F for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 10gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 339mgPotassium: 681mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 1216IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 204mgIron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it was by leaving a comment and a 5-star review!

    More Vegetarian Recipes

    • Easy focaccia recipe.
      Easy Focaccia Recipe
    • How to make tahdig Persian crispy rice.
      Tahdig Recipe (Persian Crispy Rice)
    • Panznella recipe.
      Panzanella (Tuscan Tomato And Bread Salad)
    • Grilled zucchini with tahini yogurt sauce.
      Grilled Zucchini With Tahini Yogurt Sauce
    37 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. veenaazmanov

      June 28, 2023 at 5:31 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a creative and unique idea using Zucchini. Pesto and cheese sounds yummy. Love to make this as a party option.

      Reply
    2. Whitney

      June 28, 2023 at 4:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love zucchini and always looking for new ways to prepare it. This is perfect for summer!

      Reply
    3. Carrie Robinson

      June 28, 2023 at 3:49 pm

      5 stars
      Loving all the summertime flavors happening here! 🙂 Definitely adding this to my weekly dinner plan soon.

      Reply
    4. Traci

      June 28, 2023 at 3:22 pm

      5 stars
      Yes! I'm so glad summer's here because this recipe is now my new favorite way to eat zucchini! Thanks for sharing another winner!

      Reply

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