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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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Hannah says
This was so good!!! A nice different way to use up some zucchini for sure. Made ours using chopped chicken and added some sautéed peppers from the garden – great flavor and nice spice level for the filling!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so happy you loved the boats and great ideas!! 🙂
Lauren P. says
these are AMAZING. perfectly satisfied my buffalo chicken dip craving! and the zucchini boats are just so fun :’) 100% making this again!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so glad you loved them!!
Kelly says
This was an easy, cheap and delicious meal prep recipe! Love the combo of Greek yogurt, ranch and Buffalo sauce.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelly, so glad you loved them!!
Kelly says
This recipe is fantastic. I followed the directions exactly and the zucchini was the perfect consistency (not mush) and the flavors were unreal. I topped with a drizzle of Bolthouse Farms blue cheese dressing.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelly, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Sydney says
This is amazing!! I love the combo of flavors, will definitely make it again.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sydney, so glad you loved them!!
Kaitlin says
Super delicious, the whole family loved it! Easy and reheated perfectly (great for meal prep).
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, so glad you all loved them! 🙂
Liz says
Not to be dramatic or anything, but this is probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten. The ingredients are so simple, but it’s so delicious! And for anyone that doesn’t want to throw out the center of the zucchini, you can make it into zucchini bread!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Liz, I am thrilled you love them so much and ah great idea! 🙂
Katie S says
Holy cow👏👏. Honestly like this better than the Buffalo chicken dip (😯 I know, I know), but it’s so FREAKIN GOOD. My dad said he didn’t think he would like it but ended up eating half of them. Thanks for the phenomenal recipe as always❤️
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy you all loved the boats so much!! Thanks for your support!!
Hannah Walker says
Made for the husband tonight! So quick and simple!!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so happy you both loved them!
Hannah says
Me and my husband are addicted to buffalo anything and these did not disappoint! The buffalo, ranch, yogurt mixture is SO good! We love this one
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so happy you both loved them!! 🙂
Tara says
Finally made these after getting some fresh zucchini from the farmer’s market. They did not disappoint. Delicious!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Tara, so happy you loved them!!
Ceci says
Love this recipe! I have made it several times now and there are NEVER any leftovers. The last time, I subbed crumbled tofu for the turkey and it tasted just as yummy. Thank you for sharing this and all your recipes with us!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ceci, so happy you enjoyed it and great idea!!
Amy says
The whole family, including my son who complains about zucchini, all really enjoyed this. I loved that the ingredients were all things I generally keep on hand – although I did substitute sour cream for the greek yogurt because that is what I had in the fridge. It worked out as a fine substitute! It will go into our meal rotation for sure.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Amy, so happy your family loved the boats and you made it your own!!
Kaitlin says
Loved these zucchini boats! The filling made enough for heaping portions and the flavor was on point. A must try if you like buffalo sauce!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kaitlin, I am so happy you loved the boats so much!!
Marjie says
These are so good!!! And super easy to make! Will become a regular meal prep.
★★★★★
Erin says
HI Marjie, I am so happy you enjoyed them!!
Kelsey K says
So easy and so good. Changed it up a bit with ingredients I had on hand, instead of ranch used an avocado cilantro dressing and I added blue cheese crumbles on top! Was a great meal! I also used an extra zucchini than what it called for cause I had plenty of filling!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelsey, so glad you loved them!!
Chelsea says
So delicious! Typing this as I’m shoveling them into my mouth. Great summer recipe to use up zucchini! I used noble made medium Buffalo and it has a good kick to it but not over powering
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chelsea, so happy you loved them!! 🙂
Liz Goodpasture says
This recipe was delicious and so easy to make! I recommended to a friend who loves all things Buffalo, but struggles to find recipes to make. Thank you!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Liz, so happy you both loved them!
Sam says
LOVE! will be a new go-to for me. Had extra of the turkey mix and made nachos with the next day.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Sam, so glad you loved them!!
Kelsi says
So good! Only thing I changed was added more hot sauce (we like it spicy in my house!)
My boyfriend is really not a fan of ground turkey, but he loved it! Asked for it to be added to the rotation!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kelsi, so happy you both liked them and made them your own!!