Seafood and veggies combine to make a kid-friendly dinner everyone loves. Keto cheesy shrimp zucchini boats are ready in 30 minutes.
What Are Zucchini Boats
Zucchini boats are a fun way to cook and eat zucchini squash. You basically cut the zucchini in half (or thirds), scoop out the seeds, and then add your toppings and bake them.
They come out perfectly roasted with deliciously hot and steamy toppings. Even if your kids don’t like eating zucchini, this is a fun way to introduce them to it.
The flavors from the toppings soak into the zucchini, making it taste just like the food that they just enjoyed eating.
Shopping List
Before you make your keto cheesy zucchini boats, this is what you’ll need from the store. All of the exact ingredient amounts are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Zucchini
- Shrimp
- Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Parmesan Cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Colby Jack Cheese
Ingredient Substitutions
There are a few ways that you can change things in this recipe to save yourself time or to make it taste differently the next time. If you make any changes, please let me know.
- Shrimp – try this with lump crab meat instead.
- Onion – fresh onion is always best, but onion powder can work in a pinch.
- Red Bell Pepper – use your favorite color and type of peppers. If you want to add some heat, use some poblano or jalapenos.
- Parmesan Cheese – any kind of grated hard cheese is the perfect topping for the boats.
Best Spices For Seafood
I used a combination of Worcestershire sauce and Old Bay Seasoning so spice up the shrimp in the zucchini boats. Old Bay is one of the best seasoning blended to use in seafood of all kinds.
Use it on salmon, crab, breaded shrimp, or tilapia.
There are also a bunch of other herbs and spices that go with seafood too. Try any of these spices alone or with each other.
- Dill
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Basil
- Tarragon
- Cilantro
- Cumin
- Paprika
What To Eat With Shrimp
These cheesy zucchini boats don’t need any side dishes. But if you want to add something to the table, try these ideas.
You could add more shrimp to the table with them – make some keto shrimp croquettes. Or make your favorite low-carb sides, like zucchini ribbons with bacon or keto BLT coleslaw.
Storing Them
Store the cheesy zucchini boats in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
They are freezer-friendly, too. First, flash freeze them.
To do this, put them in a single layer on a baking sheet and put the baking sheet in the freezer. Once the boats are frozen solid, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and put them in a freezer-safe food storage bag.
Keep them frozen for up to six months.
Making Them
Here are the step by step pictures that you’ll need to make this filling and delicious keto cheesy shrimp zucchini boats recipe. The exact measurements and instructions are located in the printable recipe card just a little bit further below.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Servings: 8
Net Carbs: 3 net carbs per serving
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Slice each zucchini in half crosswise, and then slice each section lengthwise to create 8 small zucchini pieces. Use a spoon to scoop the flesh out of the center of each zucchini section.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onions and peppers, and saute until beginning to soften.
Mix in the shrimp, and season with the Old Bay. Saute until the shrimp are cooked through.
Cut the cream cheese into pieces, and add it to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is melted.
Add in the mayonnaise, worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese and ½ of the colby jack cheese. Stir to combine well.
Place the zucchini boats into a 9×13 baking dish, and fill with the shrimp mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is done to your liking.
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Keto Cheesy Shrimp Zucchini Boats
Equipment
- Sharp Knife
- Skillet
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 2 medium Zucchini
- 1 pound Small Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1/4 Onion chopped
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Slice each zucchini in half crosswise, and then slice each section lengthwise to create 8 small zucchini pieces.
- Use a spoon to scoop the flesh out of the center of each zucchini section.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the onions and peppers, and saute until beginning to soften.
- Mix in the shrimp, and season with the Old Bay. Saute until the shrimp are cooked through.
- Cut the cream cheese into pieces, and add it to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is melted.
- Add in the mayonnaise, worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese and ½ of the colby jack cheese. Stir to combine well.
- Place the zucchini boats into a 9x13 baking dish, and fill with the shrimp mixture.
- Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini is done to your liking.
Notes
Zucchini Boat Recipes
If you enjoyed making cheesy shrimp zucchini boats, here are some more zucchini boat recipes yu should make next.
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