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 tablespoon 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 ½ cup of buffalo sauce. You can use store bought or make your own with my creamy vegan buffalo sauce recipe!
- Greek yogurt: Then, ⅓ cup of plain Greek yogurt will cut the heat while maintaining the flower and thickening up the filling.
- Ranch: Finally, add ¼ 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 9x13 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, ¼ cup, ⅓ cup, ½ 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 9x13 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
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350F and spray 9x13 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 tablespoon 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.
Shannon says
I’ve made this a few times and I swear it gets better and better each time. SO good!
Erin says
Hi Shannon, so glad you liked it!!
Katelyn says
Made a few little swaps but wow these were SO good! Super easy and great for meal prep, even better the second night.
Erin says
Hi Katelyn, so glad you loved them!!
Abbey says
My husband’s favorite dinner! I love the buffalo sauce and it allows us to eat a lot of veggies!
Erin says
Hi Abbey, so glad you both loved them!!
Kelli says
Perfect, easy weeknight dinner! Can’t wait to make again.
Erin says
Hi Kelli, so happy you liked them!
Emily says
So yummy!!!
Erin says
Hi Emily, so happy you loved them!
Becca says
Loved these! So easy, and delicious while also feeling like I was eating pretty healthy.
Erin says
Hi Becca, so happy you loved them!
olivia says
These FUELED me right up after field hockey practice. love love love. the flavors are amazing together
Erin says
Hi Olivia, so happy you enjoyed them!!
Katie says
These were a huge hit tonight! We had them with a side of sweet potato fries and we already can’t wait to make it again.
Erin says
Hi Katie, so glad you loved them and great addition!
Emily G. says
This is pretty much an every other week staple for us now. I was hesitant about the ground turkey/chicken and buffalo sauce, but now I prefer it!!! I’ve also made it with cream cheese instead of Greek yogurt because I forgot it lol and that worked too!!
Erin says
Hi Emily, I am thrilled you loved them!!
Haley says
Easy and great meal - both fresh and as leftovers!
Erin says
Hi Haley, so happy you enjoyed them!!
Laura t says
So so easy and so so delicious.
Thanks for sharing with us Erin 🤗🤗
Erin says
Hi Laura, so glad you loved the boats!!
Nicole S says
I LOVE anything buffalo so these were a hit. Healthy, flavorful, filling!
Erin says
Hi Nicole, I am so happy you loved them!! Thanks for your support!! 🙂
Natalie Hotrum says
10/10 would make again!
Erin says
Hi Natalie, I am so glad you loved the boats!!
Ali says
Loved these zucchini boats!! Made them vegetarian-friendly with a mixture of black beans and chickpeas instead of ground turkey and they were so so good!!
Erin says
Hi Ali, so glad you loved them!!
Molly says
These were delicious and won over my boyfriend who doesn't particularly love zucchinis. Not to mention, the leftovers were perfect for lunch the next day. We'll be making them again!
Erin says
Hi Molly, so glad you both loved them so much! 🙂
Rachel S says
My mouth is still tingly from this delicious recipe! Easy AND husband approved..what more can you ask for?!
Erin says
Hi Rachel, so happy you both loved the boats!!
Brittany says
This recipe was so easy to make and super yummy! I swapped out ground turkey for ground chicken. I even made the same mixture and put it on peppers!
Erin says
Hi Brittany, so glad you loved them and made them your own!!
Malorie says
Before I even put the mixture in the Zucchini I was in love. I don’t eat cheese so I did sub for dairy free options. This recipe is SO SO GOOD.
Erin says
Hi Malorie, so glad you loved them!!
Marina says
Obsessed with this recipe! So easy and delicious, and perfect for leftovers for the week. Highly recommend!
Erin says
Hi Marina, so glad you loved them!!
Claire says
These were everything I had hoped for! I might use a tiny bit less Buffalo sauce next time because they were spicy!! A great way to use an abundance of garden zucchini, and if sliced in half they could be a great party appetizer.
Erin says
Hi Claire, so glad you loved them with your home grown zucchinis! 🙂