Zucchini's Cheesy Affair: Perfect Pairing For The Green Squash

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in many ways, but one of the most popular methods is to bake it with cheese. This dish is not only delicious but also easy to prepare and can be made in under 30 minutes. The perfect zucchini and cheese bake should be a balance of crispy and cheesy. The type of cheese you use can vary based on your preference, but some popular options include mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar, gruyere, and asiago. You can also experiment with different spices and herbs to add extra flavour to your zucchini and cheese bake.

Baked Zucchini and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 2 large zucchinis, diced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon parsley, for garnish
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed chilli pepper flakes, for garnish

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
• In a baking dish, combine diced zucchini, bell pepper, chopped onions, grape tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and half the shredded mozzarella. Season with salt, fresh ground black pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Stir together until the veggies are coated with cheese and the herbs are well-distributed.
• Bake in the oven, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, or slightly longer. Pierce a piece of zucchini with a fork to be sure it’s mostly tender.
• When the zucchini is nearly cooked through, remove the baking from the oven and sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup of grated mozzarella. Put the dish back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and nicely browned and the zucchini is fully cooked.
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and red chilli pepper flakes. Serve the baked zucchini and cheese immediately. Enjoy!

Zucchini and Cheese

One way to make zucchini and cheese is to bake it in the oven. This can be done by slicing zucchini into rounds or spears, tossing them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and shredded cheese, and baking until the zucchini is tender and the cheese is melted. This method is quick and easy, and the zucchini can be enjoyed as a side dish or snack.

Another option is to make a zucchini gratin. This involves layering sliced zucchini with a creamy cheese sauce and baking it in the oven until it is bubbly and golden. The cheese sauce can be made with a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Parmesan, cheddar, or Gruyere. This dish is more time-consuming but makes for a rich and indulgent side.

When making zucchini and cheese, it is important to consider the type of cheese used. Mozzarella, Parmesan, cheddar, and Gruyere are all popular choices, but other options such as feta, pepper jack, or cream cheese can also be used. The type of cheese will affect the flavour and texture of the dish, so it is worth experimenting to find the perfect combination.

In addition to cheese, zucchini pairs well with a variety of herbs and spices, such as basil, thyme, garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika. These can be added to enhance the flavour of the dish.

Three Cheese Zucchini Gratin

Ingredients:

• 6 small zucchini, sliced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup gruyere cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups whipping cream or half and half
• Snipped fresh chives for garnish

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 2-quart casserole dish.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine. Pour in the whipping cream and stir for about 2 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Add the parmesan cheese and stir to combine.

In the prepared casserole dish, arrange half of the zucchini slices in a single layer. Spread half of the sauce over the zucchini, followed by half of the mozzarella and gruyere cheese. Repeat with another layer of zucchini and sauce.

Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until the zucchini is fork-tender and the top is golden brown. Sprinkle with fresh chives before serving.

Tips:

• You can use a mandoline slicer to create a more noodle-like texture for the zucchini.
• Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, such as cream cheese, feta, or pepper jack.
• To reduce the fat content, you can use half-and-half instead of whipping cream.
• For a Mexican twist, add spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika.
• For an Italian flair, try adding basil and oregano.
• To prevent the zucchini from becoming too watery, sprinkle the sliced zucchini with salt and let it sit in a strainer to draw out the moisture. Alternatively, you can sauté the zucchini before layering it in the casserole.

Cheesy Roasted Zucchini

Ingredients:

• Zucchini
• Olive oil
• Sea salt
• Ground pepper
• Italian shredded cheese blend (look for a combination of Asiago and Parmesan cheese)

Instructions:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice zucchini into 1/4-inch rounds.
• Place the zucchini rounds onto a baking sheet.
• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and ground pepper.
• Top each zucchini round with shredded cheese.
• Bake for 10 minutes. Adjust the baking time for crispier or tender zucchini, as desired.

Tips:

• Zucchini is a fruit in the squash family that is typically grown during the summer months. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, particularly vitamin A, which is beneficial for the immune system and eyesight.
• To prevent the zucchini from becoming soggy, sprinkle the sliced zucchini with salt and let it sit for a while before baking. This will help draw out some of the moisture.
• For an even crispier texture, place the zucchini rounds on a rack over the baking sheet to allow air to circulate underneath.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as just Parmesan cheese or a combination of Mozzarella, Parmesan, Cheddar, and Gruyere.
• This dish pairs well with grilled meats and seafood or can be enjoyed on its own as a meatless meal.

Cheddar Baked Zucchini

A great way to enjoy zucchini, this baked zucchini with cheddar is an easy side dish. It is super quick to prepare and can be made ahead of time. You can also use other squashes like yellow, acorn, or butternut squash to make this.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method:

• Start by washing the zucchini. Cut off the top and the end, then cut the zucchini into 1/4" thick slices. Place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and let it sit.
• Once you notice droplets of liquid on the zucchini, pat it with a paper towel, and place the zucchini in a large bowl.
• Preheat the oven to 425° F.
• Add Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, pepper, oil, and cheese to the bowl with zucchini slices. Stir together.
• Arrange zucchini slices on a baking sheet. For better results, place them on a rack so that the air can circulate under the zucchini. Top with more cheese if desired.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Remove from the oven. Wait a few minutes, then serve.

Tips:

• To prevent the zucchini from getting soggy, first, sweat the vegetable by cutting it into slices, salting, and letting it sit. You will see droplets of moisture on the surface. Pat it dry and proceed with the recipe.
• The second tip is to bake the zucchini on a rack set over a baking sheet, which will allow the air to circulate all around the slices.
• For the best results, it is recommended to make this dish the same day you will serve it. The longer the zucchini slices sit, the softer they will become. However, you can still store leftovers in a container with a lid in the fridge and heat them up the next day.

Frequently asked questions