These zucchini pizza boats are a delicious way to enjoy pizza flavors with a healthy zucchini “boat” instead of the crust! (You can also make a zucchini pizza crust for a more authentic feel, or zucchini pizza bites for fun appetizers, but the boats are even easier.) Prep the zucchini pizza recipe in just 10 minutes, bake in 20, and this simple meal is ready to eat!
What Is A Pizza Boat?
Pizza boats are a zucchini “boat” – halved zucchini with some of the center removed, topped with pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. It’s pizza in a zucchini boat instead of a crust.
Zucchini Pizza Boats Ingredients
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for healthy zucchini pizza boats, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Zucchini – Look for dark green zucchini that doesn’t have any indents or bruising. You can also use yellow summer squash, like I do for these squash boats.Olive oil – Use your favorite olive oil for classic Italian flavor, but avocado oil will also work.Sea salt & black pepper Marinara sauce – Make sure to use a sugar-free marinara sauce, many versions are made with added sugars. Mini pepperoni slices – Use the mini pepperoni if you can find it, otherwise large slices will work if you cut them into quarters.Mozzarella cheese – I use pre-shredded mozzarella cheese for convenience, but you can shred it yourself if you like.
How To Make Zucchini Pizza Boats
This section shows how to make baked zucchini pizza boats with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Prep. Slice zucchini lengthwise and scoop out some of the center with a melon baller to form a well. Roast. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and black pepper. Roast zucchini until soft. Dry. When zucchini is done roasting, pat dry with a paper towel to remove moisture.
Assemble. Spread marinara inside each zucchini boat and top with mozzarella cheese and mini pepperoni slices.Bake. Bake and broil until cheese is melted and browned.
Variations
Sauce swap – Try swapping the marinara with alfredo sauce or pesto sauce.Veggie pizza boats – Top the pizzas with bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions.Meat lover’s – Add sausage and bacon, in addition to the pepperoni.Hawaiian – Top with Canadian bacon and pineapple tidbits, similar to my Hawaiian pizza bowls.
Storage Instructions
To store: Store leftover pizza boats in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.To meal prep: Prep and bake zucchini boats then assemble and bake when you are ready to serve them. To reheat: Reheat boats in a 350 degree F oven for best results.To freeze: Freeze pizza boats for 2-3 months. Keep in mind the zucchini may be a bit mushier after thawing.
What To Serve With Zucchini Pizzas
Serve this baked zucchini pizza recipe with a simple salad or veggie:
Kale Crunch SaladSpring Mix SaladMarinated Artichoke SaladGreek SaladOven Roasted Eggplant
More Healthy Pizza Recipes
If you like this zucchini pizza low carb recipe, you might also enjoy these other healthy pizza options:
Chaffle PizzaPortobello Mushroom PizzaThe Best Keto PizzaCrustless PizzaEggplant Pizza
Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
