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Taco Zucchini Boats

May 6, 2015 by Jenn K 2 Comments

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Paleo Taco Zucchini Boats Recipe | 5DollarDinners.com

I think it’s fair to say that this meal would cost just the same as a regular tacos meal. This could be one of the few regular turned Paleo meals where I could say that with confidence, the price wouldn’t be different.

Here’s why…

  • Box of taco shells = $2
  • 4 zucchini = $2 (maybe less, depending on sales…summer is coming up and zukes get crazy cheap!)

Rest of the ingredients would be the same…ground beef, bell pepper, taco seasoning (in this case, I made it homemade), cilantro and green onion garnishes.

So yeah, I think it’s fair to say that this meal might be the epitome of budget-friendly Paleo meals.

Here’s how these babies come together…

Paleo Taco Zucchini Boats

Boil the zukes for a minute.

Paleo Taco Zucchini Boats

…on each side.

2 minutes total.

Just long enough to soften up the insides, making it easier to scoop out the flesh.

Paleo Taco Zucchini Boats

Spoon, melon baller. Whatever works.

Paleo Taco Zucchini Boats

Fill with the taco mixture.

Bake.

Paleo Taco Zucchini Boats _-5

Garnish.

Devour.

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Taco Zucchini Boats

A budget-friendly and Paleo-friendly meal!
Prep Time20 minutes minutes
Cook Time15 minutes minutes
Servings - 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 4 large zucchini
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 3/4 lb. ground beef, browned
  • 1 Tbsp minced onion
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 small red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Sliced green onion, chopped cilantro, as optional garnish
  • Fresh fruit, as side dish (we had watermelon...and Cuatro came up with an interesting way to eat it!)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Bring a pot of water to boiling. Slice the zucchini, lengthwise and then drop into the boiling water for 2 minutes. Remove carefully with tongs and place on towel to dry. Add the salsa to the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass baking dish and nestle the zucchini into the dish.
  • If necessary, brown the ground beef with the minced onion and garlic powder. Drain and return to the pan. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced bell pepper, chili powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and some salt and pepper. Bring to simmer, then remove from heat.
  • Once the zucchini has cooled some, use a spoon or melon baller to remove the insides of the zucchini. (You can save it to use for zucchini bread or muffins. Just run your knife through it to make it seem 'shredded' and then let it cool before freezing to use for bread/muffins.)
  • Spoon the taco meat into the zucchini and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
  • Prepare the fruit.
  • Serve Taco Zucchini Boats with cilantro & green onion garnish and side of fresh fruit.

31 Days of Budget Friendly Paleo Recipes from 5DollarDinners.com

See all of our 31 Days of Budget Friendly Paleo Recipes here!

Other “31 Days of” Series to check out:

  • 31 Days of School Lunchbox Ideas
  • 31 Days of Slow Cooker Meals
  • 31 Days of Gluten Free Meals
  • 31 Days of Freezer Cooking Recipes
  • 31 Days of Skillet Dinner Recipes
  • 31 Days of Breakfast Recipes
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Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Beef Recipes, Budget Friendly Recipes, Fresh Veggies Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes Tagged With: 31 Days of Budget Friendly Paleo Recipes

Comments

  1. Katie says

    May 7, 2015 at 4:52 am

    This look absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe. i’ll have to try this myself sometime soon!

    The point of the Paleo diet is, and I feel some people forget this, to not only diet, but to eat delicious foods at the same time. It’s the only diet I’ve come across that cuts out food groups, yet still focusses on everyone’s need to eat great food.

    I’m a real foodie, and would not survive on any other diet, but Paleo has been very good for me.

    Reply

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  1. Paleo Taco Recipes - Paleo Zone Recipes says:
    February 29, 2016 at 7:14 am

    […] Taco Zucchini Boats from 5 Dollar […]

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