Easy Zucchini Au Gratin: A Delightful and Simple Recipe

Zucchini, a versatile and nutritious vegetable, often finds itself in an array of culinary creations. One such delicious dish is Zucchini Au Gratin, a creamy, cheesy, and savory casserole that’s perfect for any meal. This easy-to-make recipe combines fresh zucchini with a rich cheese sauce, making it a comforting and satisfying dish. Here, we’ll walk through the ingredients, detailed instructions, and some tips to ensure your Zucchini Au Gratin turns out perfect every time.

Ingredients

To begin, gather the following ingredients:

• 3-4 whole fresh zucchini, sliced 1/4-1/2 inch thick (unsliced, about 3 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided into two servings
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan Reggiano cheese
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation Steps

1. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature ensures a perfect golden brown finish on your gratin.

2. Prepare the Zucchini:

Lay the sliced zucchini on a flat surface lined with towels or paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of the zucchini slices with salt. Allow them to sit for 30 minutes to sweat out excess moisture. This step is crucial to prevent a watery dish. After 30 minutes, blot and wring out any remaining moisture.

3. Make the Cheese Sauce:

While the zucchini rests, start preparing the cheese sauce. Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Then, add the cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, Parmesan Reggiano, and 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir in the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Continuously stir until all the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.

4. Assemble the Dish:

Arrange the zucchini slices in rows in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Drizzle the prepared cheese sauce evenly over the zucchini. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

5. Bake:

Bake the dish uncovered for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. If you prefer a crispier top, turn on the broil function for the last 1-3 minutes of baking. Watch closely to avoid burning. Once baked, allow the dish to cool slightly before serving.

Tips for Perfect Zucchini Au Gratin

1. Managing Moisture:

If your gratin turns out too watery, even after sweating the zucchini, consider sautéing or grilling the zucchini slices beforehand. This not only adds flavor but also helps to further reduce moisture.

2. Customizing Cheese and Seasoning:

Feel free to experiment with different cheeses based on your preference. While the recipe calls for cheddar, Parmesan Reggiano, and mozzarella, you can substitute with other cheeses like Gruyère, Asiago, or even a spicy Pepper Jack. Additionally, adding Italian seasoning (about 1 teaspoon) can enhance the flavor, especially if you’re pairing the gratin with an Italian-themed main dish.

3. Shredding Cheese:

For best results, use block cheese and shred it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain preservatives and corn starch, which can affect the melting quality and overall texture of the dish.

4. Adjusting Fat Content:

To reduce the fat content, use low-fat versions of cream cheese and shredded cheese. You can also decrease the amount of cheese used if you prefer a lighter dish.

5. Alternative Preparations:

This recipe is quite flexible. You can make it using shredded zucchini or zucchini noodles if you prefer a different texture. However, be mindful of the moisture content, as these forms of zucchini might release more water.

6. Avoiding Make-Ahead Prep:

It’s best to prepare and bake this dish fresh. Making it ahead of time can alter the texture of the cheese and cause it to harden, which may affect the overall quality of the gratin.

Nutritional Benefits of Zucchini

Zucchini is a low-calorie vegetable that’s rich in vitamins and minerals. It provides significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which are essential for maintaining good health. Incorporating zucchini into your diet can help with weight management, improving digestion, and boosting overall immune function.

Conclusion

Easy Zucchini Au Gratin is a delightful dish that combines the mild flavor of zucchini with a rich and creamy cheese sauce, making it a perfect side or main dish for any meal. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a delicious and satisfying gratin that will impress your family and friends. Remember to experiment with different cheeses and seasonings to make the recipe your own, and enjoy the nutritious benefits of this versatile vegetable. Happy cooking!

Easy Zucchini Au Gratin: A Delightful and Simple Recipe

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• Author: hdrecipes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

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Description

Easy Zucchini Au Gratin is a delicious, creamy, and cheesy vegetable side dish perfect for any meal. This dish features tender zucchini slices layered with a rich sauce and topped with a crispy, golden-brown cheese crust.

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Ingredients

3-4 whole fresh zucchini Sliced 1/4-1/2 inch thick into slices. Unsliced, mine weighed 3 pounds.

1 tablespoon butter

2 garlic cloves minced

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

4 oz cream cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Divided into 2 servings.

1/4 cup shredded parmesan reggiano cheese

1 teaspoon onion powder

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place the sliced zucchini on a flat surface with towels or paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of the zucchini with salt.

Allow the zucchini to sit for 30 minutes. This will sweat out the excess moisture of the zucchini. Skipping this step will result in a watery dish. After the 30 minutes. Blot and wring out any excess moisture.

While the zucchini rests, prepare the filling for the dish. Heat a saucepan on medium heat and add the butter.

When melted, add the garlic and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant.

Add in the cream cheese, whipping cream, Parmesan reggiano, and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir. Add in the onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Taste the sauce repeatedly and adjust the flavor to taste as needed.

Stir continuously until the cheese has melted.

Remove from the heat and set aside.

Arrange the zucchini in rows throughout a 9×13 baking dish. Drizzle the cheese sauce throughout.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and the mozzarella throughout the pan.

Bake (uncovered) for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. If you like a crisp top, a couple of minutes before the dish has finished baking, turn on the Broil function on the oven. Broil for 1-3 minutes until the top has crisped.

Cool before serving.

Notes

If you allowed the zucchini to rest and your dish is still too watery, saute or grill the zucchini beforehand. It will add flavor and dry out the zucchini.

You can add Italian Seasoning (about 1 teaspoon) if you are looking for zest, or serving this with an Italian themed main dish.

You can use any cheese you wish. It’s up to you. I purchase block cheese and grate it myself. Pre-shredded cheese typically has preservatives and corn starch. It does not melt as well. Keep this in mind if you choose not to make the dish using my method.

You can make this using shredded zucchini or zucchini noodles if you wish.

You can reduce the amount of fat in the recipe by using low-fat cream cheese and cheese in the recipe. You can also lessen the amount of cheese used.

This is not a dish I would prep and make ahead because it will alter the texture of the cheese and it will harden.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minute
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 90mg