Low-Carb Zucchini Boats with Minced Beef

Zucchini makes a natural vessel once you scoop out the center — fill the hollow with a quick beef and tomato filling, top with cheese, and let the oven do the rest while you set the table.

Using zucchini in place of pasta shells or a bun keeps this dinner within a low-carb diet while still delivering a full, hearty plate that eats like a baked pasta dish. The zucchini itself softens as it bakes, taking on the flavor of the beef and tomato sauce underneath the melted cheddar on top.

Give the boats a few minutes to cool once out of the oven — the filling holds its heat, and this makes them much easier to eat without burning your tongue.