STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS

Ingredients:

1 ¼ cup quick marinara sauce
3 garlic cloves; crushed
4 (31oz) medium zucchini
½ cup diced red pepper
1 tsp oil
8 tsp grated parmesan cheese
½ small onion; finely diced
½ cup part skim shredded mozzarella

14oz ground beef or lean Italian chicken sausage, removed from casing

Procedure:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut zucchini in half lengthwise and using a spoon scoop out flesh leaving 1/4” thick. Chop the scooped out flesh of the zucchini in small pieces and set aside. Place ¼ cup sauce in the bottom of a 9X12” baking dish, and place zucchini halves cut side up. Heat oil and add onion, garlic, bell pepper and sausage or hamburger. Cook until onions are translucent and meat is done. Add chopped zucchini, season with salt and pepper and cook about 2-3 minutes. Using a spoon, fill each hollowed zucchini with 1/3 cup cooked sausage, pressing firmly. Top each with 2 Tbsp each of sauce, 1 Tbsp each of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1 tsp each of parmesan cheese. Cover with foil and bake 35 minutes until cheese is melted and zucchini is cooked through.