Description
This zucchini casserole with a vibrant Tomato Crown and Herb Ribbon is a hearty, flavorful, and family-friendly meal perfect for using garden zucchini. It’s a simple answer for a satisfying dish on busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 600 g fresh zucchini, grated or thinly sliced
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 150 g shredded cheese blend (cheddar and mozzarella)
- 60 g plain or seasoned breadcrumbs
- 75 g onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp dried basil
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- fresh tomato, thin slices (for optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prep The Zucchini: Grate or thinly slice 600g of fresh zucchini. Place it in a colander, sprinkle lightly with 1 tsp salt, and let it drain for 15-20 minutes.
- Squeeze And Combine: After draining, firmly squeeze out as much excess water as possible from the zucchini using a clean kitchen towel. In a large bowl, combine the drained zucchini with 2 beaten eggs, 1.5 cups (150g) shredded cheese, 0.5 cup (60g) breadcrumbs, 0.5 cup (75g) diced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 0.5 tsp dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated.
- Assemble And Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the zucchini mixture into the prepared dish, spreading it evenly. If the mixture looks too loose, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of extra breadcrumbs over the top.
- Golden Perfection: Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown, the edges are bubbly, and the center is set. For a vibrant Tomato Crown, arrange thin slices of fresh tomato artistically on top for the last 15 minutes of baking.
Notes
Ensure you properly drain the zucchini after salting; squeezing out excess water is the most critical step to avoid a watery casserole. If the center is undercooked, cover loosely with foil and continue baking. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 150-200g)
- Calories: 250 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: zucchini casserole, easy dinner, family meal, healthy, weeknight, garden zucchini, cheesy, baked