Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake Garden Goodness Made Simple

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever stared at a mountain of courgettes and wondered, "What on earth am I going to do with these?" Well, here's your answer.

This Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The main flavour profile is a comforting cheesy zucchini hug!

Brief Overview

This Vegetarian Zucchini Casserole , inspired by classic American Summer Squash Casserole recipes, is pure comfort food. It takes about 20 minutes to prep, 30 minutes to bake and serves 6-8 hungry mouths.

It is an Easy Zucchini recipe, so don't worry if you are just starting out!

Main Benefits

This dish is packed with vitamins and fibre from the zucchini. The cheese provides a good source of calcium. It's perfect for a summer barbecue or a simple weeknight dinner.

What makes this Cheesy Zucchini Bake special? It’s a fantastic way to use up those courgettes from the garden.

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake Garden Goodness Made Simple Recipe Card

0.0 / 5 (0 Review)

Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:30 Mins

Servings:6-8 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk (whole or 2% recommended)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C / Gas Mark 5). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• (Optional) Toss zucchini with salt in a colander, let sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
• Whisk in flour to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened.
• Remove from heat and stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
• Arrange half of the zucchini slices in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Pour half of the cheese sauce over the zucchini. Repeat with the remaining zucchini and cheese sauce.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs (if using) over the top.
• Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving the Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:250-300

Fat:15-20g

Fiber:2-3g

Recipe Info

Category:Vegetable Side Dish

Cuisine:American

What Makes This Cheesy Zucchini Bake So Great?

Honestly, what's not to love about Cheesy Zucchini ? It's easy to make. It tastes amazing. And it's a brilliant way to sneak some extra Veggie Casserole into your diet.

The Story Behind My Zucchini Cheese Bake

My Nan always made a Garden Vegetable Casserole when the courgettes were overflowing. She used to say, "Waste not, want not!" This Cheddar Zucchini Bake recipe is my attempt to recreate that comforting flavour.

Time to Make Zucchini Bake Recipe Easy

Ready to get started? Let's dive into the ingredients! It's all pretty straightforward stuff you probably already have. This recipe includes all-purpose flour, and 2% milk or whole milk would be great.

Also some Panko breadcrumbs and unsalted butter.

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Right then, let's talk ingredients for this Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake . Honestly, it's so simple you probably have most of it already.

Remember that time my gran made a summer squash casserole with stuff she literally picked from the garden? This kinda feels like that, but even easier.

Main Ingredients For This Cheesy Zucchini Wonder

• Zucchini : You'll need 3 medium ones, about 675g or 1.5 lbs . Slice 'em into roughly 1/4-inch ( 6mm ) rounds. Key is to find ones that are firm, not squishy. No one likes a soggy bake.
• Onion : 1 medium onion, finely chopped. About 150g or 5.3 oz . Any type will do, whatever's lurking in your veggie drawer.
• Garlic : 2 cloves, minced. Because garlic makes everything better, innit?
• Butter : 4 tablespoons ( 57g or 2 oz ) of unsalted butter. This is for the cheese sauce, so don't skimp!
• Flour : 4 tablespoons ( 30g or 1 oz ) of all-purpose flour. This helps thicken up the sauce.
• Milk : 2 cups ( 475ml or 16 fl oz ) of milk. Whole or 2% works best for that lovely creamy texture.
• Cheddar : 2 cups ( 225g or 8 oz ) shredded cheddar cheese, divided. A sharp cheddar gives it a great kick.
• Parmesan : 1/2 cup ( 50g or 1.75 oz ) grated Parmesan cheese. Adds a nice salty, nutty note.
• Breadcrumbs (optional) : 1/4 cup ( 30g or 1 oz ) Panko or regular. Adds a bit of texture to the top.

Seasoning Notes: Flavour Boosters

Alright, let's talk flavour. For this Cheddar Zucchini Bake , simple is best.

• A pinch of salt and pepper are essential.
• A tiny bit of nutmeg ( 1/4 teaspoon ) in the sauce is proper lush.
• Don't have nutmeg? It’s alright, just skip it.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don’t need to be Gordon Ramsay to make this happen.

• Baking Dish : A 9x13 inch ( 23x33 cm ) baking dish.
• Skillet : A large skillet or sauté pan.
• Whisk : For the cheese sauce. A fork can do in a pinch.
• Cutting Board & Knife : Obviously.
• Grater : For the cheese. Pre-shredded is fine too, nobody's judging.

That's all there is to it! See? Super easy. Now, let's get this Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake on the go!

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake: Garden Goodness Made Simple

Okay, let's talk Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake . Seriously, this veggie casserole is like sunshine on a plate. It's my go-to when the garden's overflowing with zucchini .

Think of it as a summer squash casserole that even picky eaters will love. Honestly, it's a fantastic way to use up that easy zucchini you don't know what to do with.

Prep Like a Pro: Zucchini Ready!

First, the mise en place . Slice 3 medium zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds. Chop 1 medium onion, and mince 2 cloves of garlic.

Grate that cheddar zucchini bake cheese! 2 cups. Before you start, preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C) .

It is that easy.

Got a bit of time? Toss the zucchini slices with salt and let them sit in a colander. 15- 20 minutes should do it.

This draws out extra moisture. No one wants a soggy zucchini casserole .

Step-by-Step: Baking Brilliance!

1. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. No one likes stuck food.
2. Sauté chopped onion in 4 tablespoons butter until soft, about 5 minutes . Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute . Smells amazing, right?
3. Whisk in 4 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 minute . Slowly whisk in 2 cups milk until smooth. Simmer for 5 minutes , until thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg. Add 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted.
5. Layer half the zucchini in the dish. Pour half the cheese sauce over it. Repeat. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup breadcrumbs.
6. Bake for 30 minutes , until golden and bubbly. Let it cool slightly.
7. Enjoy this cheesy hug, Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake time.

Pro Tips: Elevate Your Bake

For a super cheesy zucchini experience, use good quality cheddar. It makes all the difference. Avoid soggy casserole. Salting zucchini beforehand is the key.

To make it ahead, assemble the Garden vegetable casserole and store it in the fridge. Then bake it when you're ready. Add extra 10 minutes to the baking time.

Honestly, this vegetarian zucchini casserole recipe is a winner. Serve with a nice salad and you have a delicious and easy meal. Oh my gosh, you're going to love it!

Recipe Notes for Your Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

Alright, so you're ready to whip up this Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake? Fab! Before you dive in headfirst, let's chat about a few things that will make your life easier.

This Zucchini Casserole is already simple, but these notes will help it shine.

Serving Suggestions That Will Wow!

Okay, presentation time. Picture this: A steaming slice of Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake placed next to a beautifully grilled chicken breast.

Lush! Or, how about serving it as a star veggie side at your next barbecue? It's a total crowd-pleaser! Seriously, it is like a " Summer Squash Casserole " dream.

For extra credit, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives. A dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt? Oh my gosh, yes.

As for drinks, a crisp white wine works wonders. Think Sauvignon Blanc.

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh, Keep it Tasty

Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Veggie Casserole keeps well. Just pop it in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days. Honestly, sometimes I think it tastes even better the next day!

Freezing isn't my top recommendation for this Cheddar Zucchini Bake . Dairy-based sauces can sometimes get a bit grainy. But if you must, freeze in an airtight container for up to a month.

Reheating? The oven at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through is best. Or, if you're impatient like me, a quick zap in the microwave will do the trick!

Variations to Make it Your Own

Want to mix things up? Go for it! I once added some chopped ham for a meatier Zucchini Cheese Bake . It was a total hit.

For a Vegetarian Zucchini Casserole adaptation, make sure your breadcrumbs are vegetarian. And to make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. Easy peasy.

Seasonal swaps are fun! Try different cheeses or add other summer veggies. Courgettes are so versatile!

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Let's keep it simple: This Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake is packed with vitamins and minerals from the zucchini. Plus, cheese adds protein and calcium.

So while it's not exactly a salad, it's a darn good way to get your veggies in! Remember, it's all about balance! A Garden Vegetable Casserole has never tasted so good!

So there you have it! All the tips and tricks you need to make this Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake an absolute triumph. Now, go forth and bake! I know you'll nail it!