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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes and Small Dishes

    Stuffed Summer Squash Boats

    Willow Moon in front of bushes.
    Updated: Sep 12, 2025 · by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
    Jump to Recipe Pin

    These vegan gluten free Stuffed Summer Squash Boats are made with polenta, black beans, and tomato sauce. They make a great side or main course.

    Stuffed Summer Squash Boats on a plate close up.

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    There is something really fun about stuffed foods. They just look so cute in their little packages. I think they make for a pretty presentation for dinner.

    I used polenta for these vegan Stuffed Summer Squash Boats since squash and corn go so well together.

    Black beans are a staple in my house, and they go well with squash and polenta, so I had to include them.

    If you don't mind not having the pretty presentation of a stuffed squash, or you have a small amount of squash to use up, the stuffing tastes good on its own too.

    Of course, zucchini would also work in this recipe. I just happened to have a large amount of yellow squash when I made this.

    Other squash recipes are my Vegan Curried Summer Squash Soup recipe, Dehydrated Salt and Vinegar Squash Chips, Cornmeal Baked Squash recipe, and Vegan Calabacitas recipe.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Squash Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It is warm and comforting.
    • It has a balance of flavors.
    • It's simple and easy to make.

    🧾 Ingredients

    • Summer squash: You could also use zucchini.
    • Onion: Adds a sweet pungent flavor. I used a yellow onion. You could also use a red onion or white onion.
    • Olive oil
    • Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
    • Black beans: You could also use pinto beans, lentils, or another type of beans.
    • Tomato sauce: You could also use marinara sauce.
    • Polenta: I used polenta in a tube.
    • Cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper or chili powder: Add a warm spicy flavor.
    • Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    📖 Variations / Additions

    • Zucchini
    • Quinoa
    • Rice
    • Corn
    • Pinto beans
    • Bell pepper

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    🔪 Instructions

    Step 1: Cook squash in a saucepan of water until crisp-tender.

    Step 2: Cut off the ends, slice in half lengthwise, and scoop out the inside. Chop.

    Step 3: Cook onions in a skillet until translucent.

    Step 4: Add garlic and chopped squash.

    Step 5: Add black beans, tomato sauce, polenta, and spices. Cook until the tomato sauce thickens.

    Step 6: Scoop mixture into squash boats and bake.

    Stuffed Summer Squash Boats close up

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    What's the difference between summer squash and zucchini?

    Summer squash is bright yellow and zucchini is green. They taste similar.

    What parts of a summer squash are edible?

    All the parts of a summer squash are edible except the stem.

    Other Vegan Squash Recipes

    • Southwest Spaghetti Squash in a large serving dish.
      Southwest Spaghetti Squash
    • Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce on top of baked spaghetti squash on a plate.
      Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
    • Zucchini Tots
      Zucchini Tots
    • Curried Summer Squash Soup
      Curried Summer Squash Soup

    If you tried this Stuffed Summer Squash Boats Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Stuffed Summer Squash Boats
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    5 from 2 votes

    Stuffed Summer Squash Boats

    These vegan gluten free Stuffed Summer Squash Boats are made with polenta, black beans and tomato sauce. They make a great side or main course.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 50 minutes minutes
    Total Time 55 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 188kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 4 yellow summer squash
    • ½ cup chopped onion
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 15 oz. black beans
    • 1 cup tomato sauce
    • 1 cup crumbled polenta from tube
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne or chili powder
    • Salt and pepper
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • Bring a pot of water to a simmer. Add all four whole squash. Cook on low heat until crisp tender, about 8 minutes. Drain the water and let the squash cool.
    • After squash have cooled, cut off ends and slice lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and inner parts of squash with a spoon. Chop up the centers.
    • Heat oil in a skillet and cook chopped onion until translucent. Add the chopped squash and garlic and cook for a minute.
    • Next, add black beans, tomato sauce, crumbled polenta and spices. Cook until tomato sauce cooks down and the mixture becomes a thick consistency.
    • Scoop mixture into squash halves. Bake in an oiled pan or baking sheet at 350°F for 20 minutes.

    Notes

    These squash boats will last up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 163mg | Potassium: 588mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 425IU | Vitamin C: 19.6mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2.1mg

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    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Main Dishes

    • Balsamic Roasted Vegetable Sandwich on a plate with basil.
      Balsamic Roasted Vegetable Sandwich
    • Vegan Teriyaki Reuben on a plate.
      Vegan Teriyaki Reuben
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    • Vegan Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Grilled Cheese on a cutting board.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Molly Kumar says

      December 16, 2015 at 2:43 pm

      That looks so delicious n healthy - great recipe.

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        December 16, 2015 at 5:06 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Heather Davis says

      December 15, 2015 at 10:29 am

      That sounds delicious!

      Reply
    3. Aishwarya S says

      December 15, 2015 at 10:25 am

      I love how you've served it. Looks delicious. 🙂

      Reply
    4. Caroline says

      December 15, 2015 at 10:07 am

      What a fun looking meal yum 🙂

      Reply

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