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Use up your zucchinis with Buffalo Turkey Stuffed Zucchini Boats — the perfect blend of ranch, buffalo sauce, and cheesy goodness! Easy and perfect for 6.
A buffalo zucchini boat recipe you’ll want to try ASAP
Zucchini is one of those ingredients that I just don’t eat enough of! For some reason I tend to overlook it in my cooking, despite the fact that it’s such a versatile vegetable. It can be used in so many ways — in salads, as “noodles,” in breads and muffins, heck… you can even use it to make brownies!
But there’s one way to use zucchini that’s extra delicious, savory, and filling: stuffed zucchini boats! So, that’s exactly what we’re making today. And these aren’t just regular zucchini boats, they’re buffalo turkey stuffed zucchini boats!
We’re using plain ground turkey and taking the flavor up a notch with a blend of buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt, and ranch dressing. It creates an undeniably tasty result. The recipe yields 6 servings, so it’s great for the whole family (and super easy to double if needed)!
Ingredients in buffalo turkey zucchini boats
Zucchini boats with ground turkey go heavy on the flavor, let me tell you. We’ll start with a garlic an onion mixture, followed by the sauce-heavy turkey. Load up the zucchinis, top them with cheddar cheese, and you’ll be in love!
- Zucchinis: First up, you’ll need 3 large zucchinis. These will create 6 servings.
- Avocado oil: 1 tbsp of avocado oil will be used to sauté the onion.
- Onion: Add 1 small onion for a great taste! I recommend a yellow onion, diced into small pieces.
- Garlic: Add 2 cloves of minced garlic for lots of flavor.
- Turkey: 1 lb of ground turkey is the perfect amount for stuffing the zucchini boats.
- Buffalo sauce: To flavor up the turkey, use 1/2 cup of buffalo sauce. You can use store bought or make your own with my creamy vegan buffalo sauce recipe!
- Greek yogurt: Then, 1/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt will cut the heat while maintaining the flower and thickening up the filling.
- Ranch: Finally, add 1/4 cup of ranch dressing as the final sauce.
- Cheese: 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese will be used to top the 6 zucchini boats.
- Cilantro: Optionally add fresh cilantro as a tasty topping!
Tools used to create this recipe
You’ll need a variety of kitchen items to make this zucchini boat recipe. Start with a 9×13 casserole dish and nonstick spray, followed by a cutting board, knife, spoon, large pan or skillet, and strainer.
For measuring, you will need the following sized cups: 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup.
How to make buffalo stuffed zucchini boats
Stuffed zucchini with ground turkey is ready in around 50 minutes. We’ll start by prepping the zucchinis and sautéing the onions, and then we’ll brown the turkey and fill the boats. Don’t forget to top with cheese and optionally garnish with cilantro, buffalo sauce, and ranch!
To begin, preheat the oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
Next, cut the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Scoop out the center seeds to create a “boat” in the zucchini. Discard the seeds.
Heat the avocado oil in a large pan. Add the diced onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 4 minutes.
Add the garlic and ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid.
Next, add the buffalo sauce, Greek yogurt, and ranch dressing to the pan and stir to combine with the turkey.
Evenly divide the turkey mixture into the zucchini boats and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the zucchini is fork tender.
Remove from the oven and top with cilantro, more buffalo sauce, and extra ranch if desired!
Zucchini boat add on ideas
Looking for extra ingredients to add to your boats? Try these! Double up on the cheese, add extra crunch with green peppers, or heat things up with a jalapeño!
- Green onions
- Mozzarella or pepper jack cheese
- Green pepper (diced very fine)
- Jalapeño (remove seeds if you don’t want a lot of heat)
- Blue cheese dressing (I would swap for ranch)
Recipe tips and ingredient options
Switching up this recipe is easy! If you’re wondering about swaps, here are some commonly used substitutes that you can try.
Type of turkey
Any type of ground turkey will work in this recipe! I usually go with 99% lean, but feel free to use whatever you prefer!
Using beef or chicken
You can easily sub turkey with ground beef or chicken, or use your favorite Italian sausage.
Switching the sauce
Some people aren’t buffalo sauce people, and I get that! If that’s you, you can swap the buffalo, ranch, and yogurt mixture for your favorite pasta or marinara sauce. You may need to use a smaller amount. If going this route, I recommend mozzarella cheese in place of cheddar!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Are you a buffalo sauce lover like me? If so, you’re in luck! Try my infamous buffalo recipes, from buff chic casserole and dip to meatballs and soup!
- Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole
- Healthier Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by Quarter Soul Crisis
Buffalo Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Use up your zucchinis with Buffalo Turkey Stuffed Zucchini Boats — the perfect blend of ranch, buffalo sauce, and cheesy goodness! Easy and perfect for 6.
Ingredients
- 3 large zucchinis
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced small
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray 9×13 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Cut zucchinis in half longwise. Scoop out the center seeds and create a ‘boat’ in the zucchini. Discard seeds.
- In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp avocado oil. Add diced onion and cook until just softening, about 4 minutes.
- Add garlic and ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Drain any excess liquid.
- Add in buffalo sauce, greek yogurt, and ranch dressing to the turkey mixture. Stir until combined.
- Evenly divide turkey mixture into zucchini boats. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until zucchini is fork tender.
- Top with cilantro, more buffalo sauce, and more ranch if desired.
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Ellen says
This recipe is a game-changer. It is so delicious, healthy, and easy to make. My husband and I love this meal so much. It’s a part of our regular rotation no matter what time of year.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ellen, so glad you both loved them! 🙂
Lauren Yeiter says
These zucchini boats were amazing!! The combination of buffalo and the zucchini is indescribable! Great go to easy meal!
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy you loved them!! 🙂
Catie says
These were such a hit for my family at dinner. Everyone LOVED them!!! Such an easy recipe and meal that will definitely become a staple in our house
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Catie, so happy they were a hit! 🙂
Allie says
This has become one of our go to meals in our week night rotation. SO delicious and an easy way to get a protein and veggie in one dish.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allie, so glad you loved them!!
Beckie says
Super easy and quick! Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Beckie, so glad you loved them!!
Danielle says
I made this tonight with ground chicken and one MASSIVE zucchini from the garden! This was simple, yet delicious! I will definitely be making this again!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Danielle, so happy you loved them!!
Megan says
So delicious and easy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved them!!
Stephanie says
I made this on Friday night for dinner and it was very tasty!! Thank you!! 😊
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Stephanie, so happy you loved them!!
Sara says
These have become a great staple in my house! Erin’s recipe opened me up to using zucchini’s in a way I had never thought of before! They make for a great quick weeknight dinner.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sara, so happy you love them!!
Kelly says
My husband and I love this recipe. I alter it a bit to make it dairy free and use a dairy free ranch to cook the Turkey/onions in and leave out the yogurt. I also top with dairy free cheddar and it is DELISH!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelly, so glad they were a hit!!
Kelsey says
So easy & delicious! A new weekly staple for me
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelsey, so glad you loved them!
Miranda says
literally my favorite dinner to make. These are so easy & delicious!! My husband loves them & doesn’t even complain about the zucchini boat. So much flavor & simple! Loooveeeee!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Miranda, so glad you both enjoyed them!! 🙂
Allie says
These have come one of our go to weeknight meals. So delicious!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allie, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Elizabeth says
So easy, fast and delicious! Recipe was easy to follow and made me feel full and nourished 😃
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Elizabeth, so glad you loved the boats! 🙂
Dannie says
Delicious recipe for summer zucchini! Made these tonight for dinner and they were a big hit!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Dannie, so happy you enjoyed them!!
Kathryn Frenchi says
So easy, so delicious!! My go to recipe when our zucchini plant goes bonkers in our garden. Healthy and tastes so good. 10/10 would recommend!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kathryn, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂
Jess says
So good!! Made them for the first time and it will definitely become a staple in our house. Really good and easy weeknight dinner.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Jess, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂