Baked Stuffed Zucchini

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients

• 2 large or 4 small zucchini
• 2 cloves garlic crushed
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 ½ lbs ground beef
• 2 fresh tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ¾ cup grated cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Cook and stir the ground beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat until the meat is browned, breaking the beef up into crumbles as it cooks, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, drain off excess fat, and then add tomatoes, bread crumbs, and spices.
3. Slice the zucchini in half the long way, and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/2-inch thick shell all around the zucchini.
4. Lightly stuff both halves of the zucchini with the meat mixture and top with cheese.
5. Place the zucchini halves into a baking dish, and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. *Note: You can speed up the cooking time by first heating the zucchini in the microwave. Once sliced in half, place cut side down on a plate and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and continue with the remaining recipe steps.

*Note: You can speed up the cooking time by first heating the zucchini in the microwave. Once sliced in half, place cut side down on a plate and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and continue with the remaining recipe steps.