CHEESY ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

This Easy Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe is a delicious side dish that your family will love! With tender baked zucchini and a creamy, cheesy cheddar sauce, this recipe will become a standout side dish on your table!

ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

Hi everyone! Amanda here from Old House to New Home, sharing a cheesy zucchini recipe that I know you will love! Zucchini is o\and while those are all so good, this Easy Zucchini Casserole is just simple comfort food. Zucchini and cheese sauce, what could be better than that?!

Zucchini is one of those vegetables that really adapts to so many recipes, I like this one though because it uses minimal ingredients and pairs well with chicken, steak, or fish. It is best with in season garden zucchini but works with grocery store zucchini, all fall and winter long! With summer winding down and people wanting to start loading up on comfort foods, this recipe gives you the best of both worlds. Fresh summer produce but cheesy summer goodness!

Volume 0%

HOW TO REMOVE WATER FROM ZUCCHINI

It is important to remove some of the water in zucchini before baking. This is super simple. Cut your zucchini into slices and then lay out flat on a paper towel. Lightly salt both sides and let sit for 15 minutes. The salt will draw out the liquid and help to dry out the zucchini. After 15 minutes, pat the water off that has formed on the zucchini.

If you are making a recipe using shredded zucchini, you would shred your zucchini, add salt, then wring out with a paper towel after 15 minutes.

HOW TO MAKE ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

1. Preheat your oven and slice the zucchini. Lay out the veggies on a flat surface and sprinkle with salt to help remove the water.
2. Make the cheese sauce by first making a roux with flour and butter. Add milk and let the mixture thicken, then stir in some cheese. I used a white cheddar cheese in this recipe because it melts well and is super tangy. You could substitute swiss, gruyere, or even mozzarella! I always recommend shredding your own cheese because pre-shredded is coated in a wax that inhibits smooth melting. My secret ingredient in this recipe is a pinch of nutmeg. While it may seem odd, nutmeg goes so well in white sauces! It gives it just a smidge of unique flavor and sets it apart.
3. Layer the zucchini in a round casserole dish, adding cheese sauce every couple of layers. Once the casserole is full, add the last of the cheese sauce and sprinkle on panko bread crumbs for crunch.
4. Bake until the bread crumbs are golden and the cheese sauce is bubbly.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

This recipe is an excellent side dish for the holidays. It has a great homey feel and is hearty and rich, making it the perfect side for 

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVERS

If you happen to have leftover zucchini casserole, cover it tightly or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave at 50% power to prevent the cheese sauce from breaking. Freezing is not recommended as the liquid in the zucchini would affect the taste and texture upon reheating.

More zucchini recipes you’ll love:

INGREDIENTS

• 3 large zucchini sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheeseshred yourself from 8 oz block
• 3 ounces cream cheese at room temperature
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice zucchini and then lay in a single layer on a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt. Let sit.
• While zucchini releases water, make cheese sauce. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a sauce pan. Once melted, add flour and whisk until a roux forms. Add half and half and stir consistently until a thick white sauce forms.
• Once sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of nutmeg. Turn off the heat. Add cream cheese and parmesan cheese and whisk until melted. Add shredded cheese and whisk until melted.
• Towel all the water off the zucchini that has released. Stack the zucchini in a circular pattern in a round casserole dish. Every 3 layers, add a ladle full of cheese sauce. Repeat until out of zucchini. Pour remaining cheese sauce over the top.
• Sprinkle with panko and put in the oven. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbling. Serve warm.

NUTRITION

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 654mg | Potassium: 583mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1384IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 452mg | Iron: 1mg