Zucchini Casserole

Especially in the summertime, when zucchini is abundant at grocery stores and farmers markets, zucchini casserole is a supremely tasty dish to whip up. Layers of nutty Parmesan, sharp cheddar cheese, perfectly cooked zucchini and garlicky bread cubes are topped with savory panko bread crumbs, resulting in a hearty, nourishing entree or side dish that’s pretty much the epitome of comfort food.

The trick here is to drain the squash (or even roast it) before adding it to the mixture, so the casserole doesn’t turn out too watery. The creamy sauce is achieved with eggs, cream and cheese, which provides the perfect complement to the tender zucchini and crunchy bread crumb topping. Prepare to eat every bite of this addictively delicious casserole.

Ingredients for Zucchini Casserole

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• Butter: Sauteing the onion and garlic in butter adds a rich flavor to this casserole.
• Onion: Make sure to allow ample time to cook the onion; it should be perfectly translucent.
• Garlic: Garlic adds depth of flavor to this zucchini casserole.
• Zucchini: Taking the time to strain excess moisture from your zucchini will mean the difference between a mushy casserole and a perfectly delicious one.
• Cubed bread: You can use any type of bread here, especially if you’re trying to get rid of a loaf before it goes stale.
• Eggs: Eggs are a binding agent in this casserole.
• Heavy whipping cream: Heavy cream adds all the richness you want in this recipe.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: While this recipe calls for cheddar cheese, feel free to use mozzarella or Swiss if you prefer.
• Shredded Parmesan cheese: Parmesan gives this casserole a bolder, saltier flavor.
• Panko bread crumbs: Panko bread crumbs are always a good addition, but buttery crackers (like Ritz) would also be a tasty topping.

Directions

Step 1: Saute the onions and garlic

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Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, cooking and stirring until tender, three to four minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute longer.

Step 2: Mix in the other ingredients

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Transfer the onion mixture to a large bowl and stir in the zucchini, bread, eggs, cream, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, the salt and pepper until combined. Transfer this mixture to a greased 8-inch square baking dish.

Editor’s Tip: Drain the squash to remove excess water, which will help prevent your casserole from becoming too mushy.

Step 3: Top with cheese and bread crumbs

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Top the casserole with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and the Parmesan. In a microwave, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Drizzle it over the bread crumbs and toss to coat, then sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.

Step 4: Bake the casserole

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Bake, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden brown, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving.

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Zucchini Casserole Variations

• Add protein: If you want to add some protein to your casserole, cooked chicken works well.
• Sub yellow squash for the zucchini: Yellow squash is an equally tasty veggie to use in place of zucchini.

How to Store Zucchini Casserole

You can store this zucchini bake casserole in the pan you cooked it in. Use aluminum foil or plastic wrap to cover it and place it in the fridge.

How do you reheat zucchini casserole?

Heat your oven to a moderate temperature and cover the casserole with foil. Place the dish in the oven and bake it until it’s heated through (15 to 20 minutes, depending on the oven temperature).

Zucchini Casserole Tips

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How do you keep zucchini from getting too watery?

Zucchini has a tendency to release water when it’s cooked, which can result in a mushy texture, but roasting it before adding it to the casserole can help with this. Drizzle the zucchini with olive oil, sprinkle it with salt and pepper and roast it in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Then, drain the mixture through a colander and use paper towels to mop up any excess moisture. Add your roasted zucchini to the casserole mixture.

What should I serve with cheesy zucchini casserole?

This zucchini casserole recipe is great as a main dish or as a side with grilled steak or fish and a green salad.

How do I make my zucchini casserole more nutritious?

If you’d like to make a healthier alternative, add in more veggies (bell pepper is great here), leave off the buttery bread crumbs and use cashew or coconut cream in place of the heavy cream.