Stuffed Round Zucchini (Zapallitos Rellenos)

🛒 Ingredients

• Round Zucchini (Zapallitos) 150 g · 25 kcal
• Lean Ground Beef 100 g · 250 kcal
• Onion 50 g · 20 kcal
• Red Bell Pepper 50 g · 15 kcal
• Garlic 5 g · 7 kcal
• Cooked White Rice 50 g · 65 kcal
• Tomato Sauce 30 g · 7 kcal
• Mozzarella Cheese (shredded) 20 g · 60 kcal
• Olive Oil 10 g · 90 kcal

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Wash the round zucchinis, cut them in half horizontally, and scoop out the flesh and seeds, leaving a 1 cm thick wall. Chop the scooped-out zucchini flesh finely.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic; sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
3. Drain any excess fat from the beef. Stir in the chopped zucchini flesh, cooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
4. Arrange the hollowed zucchini halves in a baking dish. Spoon the meat and rice mixture generously into each zucchini half. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each stuffed zucchini.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the zucchinis are tender and the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve hot.