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This easy zucchini casserole recipe is one of my favorite ways to put fresh garden zucchini to good use. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender zucchini and sharp cheddar. The whole thing comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s perfect for a quick and cozy dinner or an easy side dish!
If you love zucchini as much as I do, you need to try my zucchini lasagna roll-ups and these delicious zucchini fritters with quinoa.
5 Star Review
“I make this at least twice a month. Who knew what a difference nutmeg could make! Last time I made it I added some fresh mushrooms and substituted shredded mozzarella for the cheddar. Yum! Super quick and always tasty.” – Marsha
Easy Zucchini Casserole Recipe
Brace yourselves for a feast of flavors with my savory zucchini casserole! It’s a delicious combo of fresh zucchini and cheddar cheese, creating a creamy and hearty dinner you can prepare in just half an hour.
This oven-baked casserole makes a truly tasty vegetarian entrée or a side dish packed with flavors, texture, and nutrients. It’s a win-win for all! I mean, who would’ve thought that something made with this bland green summer squash could taste better than zucchini brownies or my apple and zucchini bread? I ❤️ them both.
But, you know, filling up a baking dish with layer upon layer of zucchini, rich cream, and cheese is a trophy-deserved dinner recipe. And this gluten free stunner is sure to wow all the crowds, just as it has for that broccoli cheese casserole recipe.
Ingredients For This Zucchini Casserole Recipe
This fantastic casserole uses simple pantry ingredients and makes a perfect one-pot weeknight dinner. It’s easy to share and will surprise even those who usually turn up their noses at zucchini.
- Zucchini – You’ll want to use about 3 to 4 medium zucchini sliced into half moons.
- Salt and Black Pepper – A simple seasoning to enhance the flavors.
- Heavy Cream – Adds a rich and creamy texture to the sauce. Substitute with Half-and-Half or whole milk for a lighter option.
- Eggs – Binds the ingredients together.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Adds a savory, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Garlic – Mince fresh garlic or use garlic powder.
- Dried Basil – For a hint of herbal flavor. You could also use dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Ground Nutmeg – Provides a subtle spice to complement the creaminess.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Melts into a gooey, cheesy topping. Any good melting cheese such as mozzarella cheese or Monterey Jack will also work.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps achieve a golden-brown top over the zucchini casserole.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley – For garnish, adding a pop of color and a fresh taste. Fresh cilantro or chives are good alternatives.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Softer Zucchini: If you prefer softer zucchini and the top of the casserole is already browned because of the melted butter, lightly cover the baking dish with foil to prevent further browning.
- Perfect Slices: To achieve perfect, intact squares, let the casserole cool for about 20 minutes before cutting.
- Choosing Zucchini: Look for medium-sized, firm zucchini for the best texture and flavor.
- Avoiding Watery Casserole: Zucchini has a high water content. To avoid a watery casserole, salt the zucchini slices and let them sit for 15 minutes, then pat dry to remove excess moisture before adding them to the dish.
- Seasoning: Zucchini is a mild vegetable that can handle plenty of flavors. Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic, basil, or nutmeg to suit your personal taste.
- Cheese Choices: While sharp cheddar cheese is classic, other cheeses like mozzarella, gruyere, provolone, or a mix of different cheeses can bring a new twist to your casserole.
- Resting Time: Let your casserole rest after baking to allow the juices to be reabsorbed, making it easier to serve.
- Variations: This recipe is flexible. Add more veggies like bell peppers, shredded carrots, diced tomatoes, or mushrooms, or include a protein like cooked chicken or ground turkey for a heartier meal. You can also swap the zucchini for yellow squash for a different flavor.
Serving Suggestions
The best pairing for you depends on your personal preferences and needs, but that won’t stop me from suggesting some of my favorites to serve with zucchini casserole.
Since the casserole is rich, it pairs well with a simple stove top chicken thighs or a steak recipe. For a lighter option, consider my grilled swordfish or roasted turkey. Add a simple green goddess salad, a tangy Macedonian shopska salad, or a colorful tomato and cucumber salad.
A dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt is always a requested finish around here. If you enjoy wine with your meal, a white wine such as Pinot Grigio or a light red like Pinot Noir would go nicely with this dish.
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Zucchini Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 to 4 zucchini, sliced into half moons about 1/4-inch thick (you will need 6 cups total)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 3 whole eggs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons butter, sliced into 1/4-inch thick pieces
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 350˚F and grease a 9-inch baking dish with butter. Add the sliced zucchini to the baking dish and sprinkle with salt; mix and set aside.
- Combine the cream sauce ingredients. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic, basil, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Add cheese and cream sauce. Layer 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the zucchini in the baking dish. Then, pour the prepared cream sauce over the zucchini and scatter pieces of butter over the zucchini.
- Bake. Put the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
- Add cheese and continue to bake. Remove the zucchini casserole from the oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake for 7 to 10 more minutes, or until bubbly, browned, and the zucchini is tender.
- Finish and serve. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. Garnish with parsley, cut, and serve.
Notes
- Salt the zucchini. Avoid a watery casserole by salting the zucchini slices and patting them dry before use.
- Bake until the casserole is golden and the zucchini is soft.
- Let the casserole rest after baking for easier serving.
- For variety, add different veggies or pre-cooked chicken to the mix.
- Keep leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
How To Make Zucchini Casserole
This cheesy and creamy casserole is sure to win over anyone with just one bite. Follow these simple steps to make a delicious meal!
- Prep the zucchini. Slice 2 to 4 zucchinis to get 6 cups of half-moon pieces. Place them in a greased 9-inch baking dish, sprinkle with salt, and set aside.
- Make the cream sauce. In a mixing bowl or a large measuring cup, combine heavy whipping cream, eggs, garlic, parmesan, basil, nutmeg, and pepper.
- Add cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the zucchini and pour the cream mixture over it.
- Bake. Add pats of butter over the zucchini and bake for 25 minutes. Add more cheese and bake for another 7 to 10 minutes until it’s golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and serve. Pull out the casserole dish and let it all cool for 10 minutes, then cut and serve.
Storing Leftovers
- Fridge. Keep any leftover zucchini casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It makes a delicious and quick lunch for work!
- Freezing it. While it’s possible to freeze the casserole, I would not recommend it. Zucchini tends to release a lot of water, which can alter the taste and texture of the dish.
Excellent Recipe! Incorporated the tips, i.e drying the zucchini. Used Italian seasoning, and Italian 6 cheeses mix instead of parmesan, added finely diced onion and a shot of cayenne pepper. This recipe lends itself to lots of great variations. A keeper. Thank you.
Thank you! I’m so happy you loved it and made it your own with those fantastic tweaks. It sounds absolutely delicious! ๐