These Meatless Mexican Zucchini Boats are so good you won’t even miss the meat!
I mean it.
You won’t.
I’ll even pinkie-promise on it.
This is a vegetarian version of the Mexican Zucchini Boats I posted about years ago. The original recipe uses ground beef. After I posted the recipe using the beef, a vegetarian Mountain Kitchen reader suggested that I make a vegetarian-friendly version perhaps with beans instead of the beef.
I was intrigued, I had already been thinking about making a vegetarian version of the Mexican zucchini boats for Meatless Monday, although I didn’t know exactly how I would do it.
A bean version would be perfect! That is exactly what I did. Instead of using ground beef, I used vegetarian refried beans as the protein. I also changed up the seasonings just a bit to make the Mexican zucchini boats more flavorful, meatless, low-carb and gluten-free!
David and I love this bean version of the zucchini boats for their creamy texture, slight smokiness, and not to mention they are so easy to make. They are a healthy alternative to taco night and only requires just a few ingredients to make.
Here, let me show you how I made them:
How to make Meatless Mexican Zucchini Boats
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil. Brush with oil or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
Cut the zucchini lengthwise and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds in the middle. Try to leave about ¼-inch of flesh around the outside of the zucchini so they have some structure to them. Discard the scooped zucchini. Place the zucchini on the prepared sheet pan with an inch or two between each other.
I have seen recipes that say to use a melon baller to scoop out the seeds, but I actually find it harder to use a melon baller. It is too sharp and it tends to cut too much of the flesh. A spoon is the best tool for the job.
To make the zucchini lay flat so they won’t rock back and forth on the baking sheet, simply cut a small sliver of skin off of the bottom of the boats, being careful not to cut too much of the flesh of the zucchini.
In a medium skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers to the pan and cook until they are soft; about 5 to 10 minutes. Season the onions and peppers with a pinch of salt and pepper. The salt helps to break down the vegetables and helps them to soften.
When the onions and peppers are soft, add in the beans, cumin and chili powder to the skillet. The beans will be very thick at first but they will loosen up as they get warmer. Stir the mixture together constantly until the beans are warmed through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Next, add in the salsa and stir well to combine, until warmed through. Then, turn off the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese.
Divide the bean filling among the zucchini boats on the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheet of zucchini boats inside the preheated oven.
Bake the zucchini boats approximately 30 to 40 minutes or until the zucchini are fork-tender but still has some structure to them.
Cooking too long will turn mushy. You actually want them to have a slight crunch to them.
When the zucchini are tender, remove the sheet pan from the oven.
If desired, top the zucchini boats with more cheese and return them to the oven for two more minutes, or until the cheese melts.
Serve the meatless Mexican zucchini boats warm with sour cream, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if desired.
We hope you will enjoy these Meatless Mexican Zucchini Boats as much as we do.
Enjoy!
Meatless Mexican Zucchini Boats
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini halved and scooped
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion diced (about ½ cup)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper deveined seeded and diced
- 16 ounce canned refried beans (vegetarian or vegan)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ cup salsa Your favorite is perfect!
- 1 cup cheddar cheese grated + extra for topping if desired
- sour cream for serving, optional
- fresh cilantro for serving, optional
- lime wedges for serving, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with aluminum foil. Brush with oil or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Cut the zucchini lengthwise and use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds in the middle. Try to leave about ¼-inch of flesh around the outside of the zucchini so they have some structure to them. Discard the scooped zucchini. Place the zucchini on the prepared sheet pan with an inch or two between each other.To make the zucchini lay flat so they won’t rock back and forth on the baking sheet, simply cut a small sliver of skin off of the bottom of the boats, being careful not to cut too much of the flesh of the zucchini.
- In a medium skillet, warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, and peppers to the pan and cook until they are soft; about 5 to 10 minutes. Season the onions and peppers with a pinch of salt and pepper. The salt helps to break down the vegetables and helps them to soften.
- When the onions and peppers are soft, add in the beans, cumin and chili powder to the skillet. The beans will be very thick at first but they will loosen up as they get warmer. Stir the mixture together constantly until the beans are warmed through, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Next, add in the salsa and stir well to combine, until warmed through. Then, turn off the heat and stir in the cheddar cheese.
- Divide the bean filling among the zucchini boats on the prepared baking sheet. Place the baking sheet of zucchini boats inside the preheated oven.
- Bake the zucchini boats approximately 30 to 40 minutes or until the zucchini are fork-tender but still has some structure to them. Cooking too long will turn mushy. You actually want them to have a slight crunch to them.
- When the zucchini are tender, remove the sheet pan from the oven. If desired, top the zucchini boats with more cheese and return them to the oven for two more minutes, or until the cheese melts.
- Serve the meatless Mexican zucchini boats warm with sour cream, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
This is an updated post from August 25, 2014.
Karen says
My husband was talking about Mexican food for dinner and I have zucchini in the fridge. Sounds like perfect timing. 😀
Debbie Spivey says
They are really good with or without the meat! Please let me know how they turn out if you make them. 🙂
Colleen says
I think these would taste great with both meat and beans together!
Debbie Spivey says
Yum!! I like the way you think!!
"Cheffie Cooks" says
Hi Debbie, I believe you are on to something here!!! Great Job! Cheryl
Debbie Spivey says
Hi Cheryl! Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!!