This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Easy to make, the stuffed round courgettes are a balanced meal for a healthy family dinner. Even the children will happily eat their veg here.
Jump to:
What zucchini to use
For this recipe I like to use round zucchini as they are easy to fill, but you can also use long zucchini cut lengthwise.
Whatever zucchini you will be using this is a very easy recipe you can make ahead of time. It is a complete meal with vegs, proteins and carbs.
You can serve it with baked potatoes, a potato salad, or some baked rice and a healthy meal is ready on the table.
Besides zucchini, you can also use peppers, tomatoes or onions, in French they are called petit farcis.
Ingredients for the stuffing
The stuffing is a mix of meat and breadcrumbs. Here I use minced beef, but you can also use a mix of beef and pork.
I always use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs in many of my recipes, that is why I usually prepare a large amount and keep it in the freezer. They don’t need to be defrosted ahead of time.
If you want to know more about it you can read the article: Grated Parmesan and Breadcrumbs. also check out the article: Once a Month Freezer Meal Prep to find out what else I keep in my freezer.
I always keep the stale bread aside and when I have time I prepare the breadcrumbs and freeze it. Here are the ingredients I use in proportion to 3 cups of grated stale bread:
- 3 cups of grated stale bread
- 1/2 cup of parmesan
- 1/2 cup of basil leaves or parsley
- 1 garlic cloves
If you are making it only for this recipe use the amount listed on the recipe card below
How to prepare the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- Greate the parmesan in a shredder
- Cut the stale bread in chunks small enough to fit in the shredder
- Shredd the bread putting the garlic first so the bread absorbs the flavour
- Take a cup of shredded breadcrumbs and blend it with the basil leaves (used shredded bread otherwise you risk to break the blender as the bread is too hard for a blender)
- Add the shredded parmesan to the breadcrumbs
- Then the breadcrumbs mixed with the basil
Following this procedure will minimize waste (like basil been stuck in the side of the blender, or parmesan left inside the shredder) and a perfect combination of flavours (the breadcrumbs absorbing the garlic and the basil)
It is best if the breadcrumbs rest overnight to absorbs all the flavours. If you freeze them you don’t have to worry about it and use them directly.
How to prepare the courgettes
- Cut the top off the courgettes and with a spoon or a round vegetable scoop,
- Dig the centre of the courgettes. Season them with salt and pepper.
- Put the centre of the courgettes in a Braun Blender and mix with 4 tbsp of the breadcrumbs.
- Oil the base of a baking dish. Dice the top of the courgettes, mix them with 3 tbsp of the zucchini centre and breadcrumb mix, then lay them in the baking dish, making a sort of base to assemble the courgettes on.
Preparing the stuffing
- Mix the eggs, the finely chopped onion, lemon zest, mustard and the breadcrumbs together with the minced beef.
- Fill the courgette with the mix and drizzle with olive oil.
- Cook in the oven at 200°C for 40 minutes
Tips for making the best-stuffed courgette
- Make sure the courgettes don’t have too many big seeds. If they do, do not use the centre
- If you cannot find round courgette, you can use the long regular one. If they are too big don’t use the centre as there will be too many seeds
- Make sure you season well the courgette, inside as well as outside
- For a vegetarian version, you can use only bread crumbs mixed with onions
How to serve the stuffed courgette
Stuffed courgettes is a perfect summer main course when round courgettes are in season. You can prepare it ahead of time and cook it just before serving it.
You can serve it with a green salad, a tabbouleh or a fresh Italian potato salad. If you want to serve it with something warm, you can serve it with baked rice, or an easy gratin dauphinoise.
If you want to try the same stuffing on other vegetables you can check out the recipe: Petit farcis
Recipes with zucchini you may also like
For more zucchini recipes, check out the category: Vegetables
Also check the recipes below:
- Grilled zucchini eggplants and peppers
- Zucchini and Mushroom Quiche
- Zucchini Recipe Pasta And Ricotta
- Fried Zucchini Flowers Recipe
- Baked salmon fillet in oven with steamed zucchini and potatoes
If you are making this Stuffed Round Courgette, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram or sign up to my newsletter.
📋 Stuffed Round Courgettes
Ingredients
Breadcrumbs (can be prepared in advance and stored in the freezer)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 clove peeled garlic cloves
Minced Meat Mix
- 1 lb Freshly minced lean beef
- 2 Fresh eggs
- 1 onion diced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Original English mustard
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
Courgettes
- 8 Round courgettes
- Salt & Pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
Breadcrumbs
- To prepare the breadcrumbs see article above: Grated Parmesan and Breadcrumbs
Courgettes
- Cut the top off the courgettes.
- With a spoon or a round vegetable scoop, dig the center of the courgettes. Season them with salt and pepper.
- Put the center of the courgettes in a Braun Blender and mix with 4 tbsp of the breadcrumbs.
- Oil the base of a baking dish. Dice the top of the courgettes, mix them with 3 tbsp of the zucchini center and breadcrumb mix, then lay them in the baking dish, making a sort of base to assemble the courgettes on.
For the meat filling
- Mix the eggs, the finely chopped onion, lemon zest, mustard and the breadcrumbs together with the minced beef.
- Fill the courgette with the mix and drizzle with olive oil.
- Cook in the oven at 200°C for 40 minutes
Beth
They are so cute! I haven’t seen the round ones here! What a lovely photo, Laura!
Laura
Really? They are very common here in Europe
Aleka
I love making stuffed zucchini but usually slice it like a boat (lengthwise). This would be such a cute appetizer or side dish! Healthy and easy. I love it!!
Laura
Thank you Aleka, that is what my mom use to do when we were young
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I love the round ones too Laura and I really like the idea of stuffing them with beef too. Delicious!
Demeter
I really like that you can make these ahead of time. Such a time saver on busy nights.
Laura
Thank you, it is a good option for busy days
Nicolas Hortense
What an awesome idea!! Never seen courgettes prepped this way!! (:
Laura
Thank you, it is very Italian
Tanya Schroeder
Wow, these are stunning!
Laura
Thank you
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
What a fantastic dinner idea! I bet my kids would love giving these a try!
Laura
Thank you, yes kids love them
Toni
This is such a great idea! My kids really loved it!
Laura
Thanks
Jenny
What do you do with all the leftover courgette centres? Except the 3 tbsp that is mixed with the diced tops as the base, is the rest discarded? Can it be used in any way?
Laura
No, don’t discharge. You can mix it with the meat