Zucchini's Perfect Cheese Partners: A Melty Match Made In Heaven

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be paired with a variety of cheeses. Some popular cheeses that go well with zucchini include mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, gruyere, and feta. For a more detailed look at zucchini and cheese combinations, see the following:

- Zucchini and Mozzarella: The stretchy, melty texture of mozzarella cheese makes it a perfect pairing for zucchini, especially in dishes like zucchini gratin.

- Zucchini and Parmesan: Parmesan adds a nutty flavor and is often used in baked zucchini recipes or zucchini fries.

- Zucchini and Cheddar: Cheddar cheese is a favorite for its sharp flavor and color, and it pairs well with zucchini in casseroles or sauteed dishes.

- Zucchini and Gruyere: Gruyere cheese adds a creamy, delicious flavor that blends well with other cheeses in zucchini dishes.

- Zucchini and Feta: Feta cheese can be used to add a creamy and tangy twist to zucchini recipes.

Mozzarella, Parmesan, Cheddar, and Gruyere Cheese

Mozzarella

Zucchini and mozzarella can be baked together as a simple and tasty dish. Cut zucchini into 1/4–1/2 inch round discs, place them on a cookie sheet, and sprinkle with seasoning salt. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10–15 minutes, or until crisp. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Place the cookie sheet back into the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and browned, about 3–5 minutes. This dish is best served warm, straight out of the oven.

Alternatively, you can make zucchini and cheese by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat, adding chopped zucchini and onion, and cooking until the onion is golden brown. Transfer the mixture to a greased casserole dish and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 25 minutes.

Parmesan

Roasted zucchini with Parmesan is another tasty option. To make this dish, toss zucchini rounds in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and arrange them on a baking sheet. Grate Parmesan cheese generously over the zucchini rounds and roast in the oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. Finish the dish by broiling until the cheese is crisp and bubbly.

Cheddar

Zucchini cheddar bites are a great snack option. To make them, shred zucchini and carrot, and mix with egg, shredded cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, and green onions. Spoon the mixture in golf ball-sized rounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, or until the outsides are brown and crisp.

Gruyere

Gruyere Swiss cheese adds a wonderful nutty flavour to a simple zucchini sauté. To make this dish, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan on high heat and add zucchini rounds and onions. Cook until the zucchini is browned, about 2 minutes, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add garlic, fresh tarragon, and basil, and remove the pan from the heat. Place slices of Gruyere over the zucchini and let sit for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Olive Oil, Italian Seasoning, Salt, and Pepper

Roasted Zucchini

Roasted zucchini is a tasty, simple dish that can be served as a side. To make it, cut the zucchini into spears, quarters, or thick half-moons. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. You can also add other spices like red pepper flakes, garlic, or chilli powder. Place the seasoned zucchini on a baking tray and cook in the oven at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, or at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, until tender and golden brown.

Zucchini Casserole

For a heartier dish, you can make a zucchini casserole. Sauté some chopped zucchini, onion, and bell pepper in butter, then mix with Italian seasoning, shredded mozzarella, and diced tomatoes. Place in a casserole dish and bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cheesy Zucchini Gratin

For an indulgent, creamy zucchini dish, try a zucchini gratin. This recipe uses a mixture of mozzarella, Parmesan, and Gruyere cheese, but you can also add cheddar or feta for a sharper flavour. To make the sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour, salt, and pepper. Add in some whipping cream and stir until thickened, then mix in some Parmesan cheese. In a casserole dish, layer the zucchini with the sauce and cheese, repeating until everything is used up. Top with the remaining cheese and bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender.

Salt and Pepper Roasted Zucchini

For a simple, yet effective zucchini dish, try salt and pepper roasted zucchini. Cut the zucchini into wedges, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and cracked black pepper. Roast in the oven at 400˚F for 15-20 minutes, until slightly soft with roasted edges.

Cheesy Zucchini Sauté

For a quick and easy zucchini dish, try a cheesy zucchini sauté. Simply sauté onion and zucchini in butter, then add Italian seasoning, basil, salt, and garlic powder. Stir in some diced tomato, olives, and shredded cheddar cheese, and cook until the cheese is melted.

Tips

When cooking zucchini, it's important to avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent the zucchini from steaming instead of roasting. You can also elevate the zucchini on a baking rack to help it cook evenly and prevent sogginess. Additionally, larger pieces of zucchini are less prone to overcooking, so it's best to avoid cutting the zucchini too small.

Basil, Thyme, and Garlic Powder

Zucchini and Cheese Casserole

This recipe includes basil, thyme, and garlic powder in a zucchini and cheese casserole. It also includes other ingredients such as butter, onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes. The dish is baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cheesy Zucchini Saute

This recipe is a quick and easy way to prepare zucchini. It includes basil, thyme, and garlic powder, as well as onion, butter, cheddar cheese, tomato, and olives. The zucchini is sauteed in a skillet until it is crisp-tender, then the other ingredients are added and cooked until the cheese is melted.

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

This recipe is a tasty zucchini side dish that has been very popular. It includes basil, thyme, and garlic powder, as well as mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The zucchini is baked in the oven until it is tender, then the remaining cheese is added and baked until melted and slightly browned.

Baked Zucchini

This recipe is a simple and healthy way to prepare zucchini. The zucchini is seasoned with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then baked in the oven until tender. It can be served as a side dish or snack.

Baked Parmesan Zucchini

This recipe is a healthy and nutritious way to prepare zucchini. The zucchini is cut into quarters lengthwise, then seasoned with Parmesan cheese, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It is baked in the oven until tender, then broiled for a few minutes until crisp and golden brown.

Baked Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan (pre-shredded is also fine)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional:

• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Parsley

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a broil-safe baking sheet with foil (optional for easier cleanup).
• Slice the zucchini into 1/4 to 1/2-inch rounds.
• Place the zucchini slices on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss until well-coated. Spread the slices out into a single layer.
• Sprinkle the zucchini generously with salt and pepper.
• Top each slice with parmesan.
• Bake on the center rack for about 10 minutes, until the zucchini is just fork-tender.
• Set the broiler to high and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Keep a close eye on the zucchini while broiling, as food can burn quickly under the broiler.
• Serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with parsley.

Tips:

• If you prefer softer zucchini, slice it into thinner rounds, around 1/4-inch thick. For firmer zucchini, cut it thicker, closer to 1/2-inch.
• Freshly grated parmesan is preferred as it melts and browns extremely well, but bagged pre-shredded parmesan also works.
• If you want to experiment with flavours, try adding a little garlic powder or Italian seasoning.

Baked Parmesan Zucchini

Ingredients

• Zucchini
• Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is preferred)
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• Garlic powder or Italian seasoning (optional)

Method

• Preheat your oven to 450°F and line a broil-safe baking sheet with foil (optional for easier clean-up).
• Slice your zucchini into rounds about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Thinner slices will give you softer zucchini, while thicker slices will be firmer.
• Place the zucchini slices on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss until well-coated.
• Sprinkle the zucchini slices with salt and pepper.
• Top each slice with a generous amount of parmesan cheese.
• Bake on the center rack for about 10 minutes, until the zucchini is just fork-tender.
• Set your broiler to high and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and browned. Keep a close eye on the zucchini while broiling, as food under the broiler can burn very quickly.

Tips

• Experiment with adding different seasonings, such as garlic powder or Italian seasoning.
• If you want to add some extra crunch, try breading the zucchini slices before baking.
• For a more intense Parmesan flavor, use grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
• If you have leftover pizza or marinara sauce, serve these as a snack with the sauce as a dip. You can even add chopped pepperoni if you have some!

Frequently asked questions