Description
Cheese Zucchini Delight is a simple and tasty casserole made with layers of zucchini and a rich cheese mixture, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
- ½ cup breadcrumbs, optional for a crispy topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.
- Wash the zucchini and slice into ¼-inch rounds. If the zucchini is particularly watery, lightly sprinkle the slices with salt and let them rest for 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sour cream. Add the Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and half of the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Stir in the cooked onion and garlic.
- Arrange the zucchini slices in the prepared baking dish. Pour the egg and cheese mixture evenly over the zucchini, gently tossing or spreading it to coat the slices.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan over the top. If you prefer a crunchy crust, add the optional breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender, the center is set, and the cheese is golden and bubbling. If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil.
- Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, ensure all cheese used is rennet-free.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for added flavor.
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 150mg