This zucchini gratin is layers of tender sauteed zucchini and cheese in a creamy sauce, topped with breadcrumbs and baked to perfection. A simple yet elegant side dish!
If you like zucchini, you’ll love this easy, cheesy and flavorful recipe. This is my absolute favorite way to eat zucchini.
It is almost summer, and soon everyone’s gardens will be overflowing with zucchini and summer squash! When I have zucchini on hand, I often use it in this amazingly delicious zucchini gratin. The flavors and textures just can’t be beat!
How do you make zucchini gratin?
This dish has a couple of components – the vegetables, the cheese and the sauce. The first step is to saute zucchini and onions in butter. You want your zucchini to be crisp tender, be careful not to over cook it as it will continue to cook in the oven.
After the zucchini is cooked, it gets layered in a baking dish with plenty of creamy sauce and shredded cheese. I typically use Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese here, but other great options are cheddar or fontina.
The final step is more sauce and a sprinkling of seasoned breadcrumbs before the gratin goes into the oven.
Bake until golden brown, then serve up your zucchini gratin and watch the compliments come in!
How do you cook zucchini?
You can actually cook the zucchini for this recipe any way you like – I personally prefer sauteeing the zucchini because I think it’s the most flavorful method. That being said, steamed or roasted zucchini would also work well in this recipe.
Is zucchini good for you?
Zucchini has a lot of nutritional benefits! It’s low calorie and packed with antioxidants, and vitamins B and C. It’s also a great source of potassium.
I love to serve this zucchini gratin as a side dish to grilled meats and seafood. Try it alongside a roasted chicken or baked salmon for an easy yet satisfying meal. You’ll never look at zucchini the same way again!
More great side dish recipes
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
- Honey Roasted Carrots
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
Zucchini Gratin
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter divided use
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 1/2 pounds zucchini cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large pan over medium heat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the zucchini and onion to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove the zucchini mixture from the pan and place in a bowl. Cover to keep warm.
- Wipe out the pan with a paper towel.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the pan. Add the flour and whisk to combine.
- Cook the flour mixture for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Whisk in the milk and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the cream, thyme and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the sauce for an additional 2 minutes or until just thickened.
- Coat a 6 cup baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place 1/4 of the sauce in the bottom of the pan.
- Add 1/3 of the zucchini mixture.
- Top the zucchini mixture with 1/4 of the sauce and 1/3 of the cheese.
- Continue layering the zucchini, sauce and cheese.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the final layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese has melted and breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Justine says
October 4, 2018 at 9:53 pmI rarely review recipes because I make so many changes, but I followed this one very closely and WOW. It’s incredible!! I used a parmesan, swiss and sharp cheddar blend, but I rarely think it would be delicious with any cheese you prefer.
Sara says
October 5, 2018 at 8:56 amSo glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!
Debbie says
May 7, 2018 at 7:17 pmI had planted a garden and now I’ve got a recipe for the abundance of zucchini I am expecting!
fashionmommy says
May 1, 2018 at 1:35 amI think this looks and sounds fabulous, and would be a great accompaniment to a chicken dish.
Becca Wilson says
April 29, 2018 at 9:28 amI absolutely love zucchini and this looks delicious. I am definitely making this as a side this week.
Paula Stewart says
April 29, 2018 at 5:40 amWith our garden planted and lots of zucchini to fix in my future, we are always in need great recipes to switch it up. Thanks for a new and interesting way to cook them.
nicole says
April 28, 2018 at 6:04 amThis looks so good! Fried zucchini is one of my favorites, so I wonder if I would like this as well! I’m definitely going to give this a try, thanks for sharing!
Shraddha Tripathi says
April 28, 2018 at 5:14 amThis looks yummy and healthy too. There are many benefits of zucchini. I love to try this for sure.
Ashlee | She Can Social says
April 27, 2018 at 7:44 pmOh wow, this looks incredible! Looks like a healthier alternative to potatoes au gratin , and super tasty. I’ll have to give it a try, thanks for sharing!
Sudipta says
April 27, 2018 at 7:21 pmThanks for posting this awesome recipe. I love zucchini, will surely try out this interesting new dish.
Kc puentespina says
April 27, 2018 at 12:03 pmI don’t cook zucchini because I honestly don’t know enough recipes to make t! 😁 But I’m going to try this one. ☺️
Sela says
April 27, 2018 at 10:38 amThis is a great side dish. I love zucchini, and this looks amazing and so easy to put make. I will be making it soon. It looks delish.
Genny says
April 27, 2018 at 8:28 amWe love zucchini and with this recipe we are going to be in love. I’m going to try it as soon as I can. My kids are going to die for.
Chi says
April 26, 2018 at 9:26 amOh my goodness this looks delicious. I cannot wait to give the recipe a try. So yummy!
Terri Beavers says
April 26, 2018 at 8:04 amI used to make everything with zucchini when I had a garden. Since deciding I’m too old to garden, I haven’t had any fresh zuchinni. I need to head to the Farmer’s Market to get some to make this.
LIFE AS A WIFE says
April 26, 2018 at 4:14 amCooked it last night and it was yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe 😊
Brittany says
April 25, 2018 at 2:56 pmZucchini is one of my favorite vegetables!!! This looks like a fun recipe to make!!
Albert Bevia says
April 25, 2018 at 2:04 pmI´m a fan of zucchini, and this looks amazing and so easy to put together, love that touch of thyme, this is the perfect veggie side dish
Natalie Allen says
April 25, 2018 at 12:36 pmThis is a beautiful blog! You have some gorgeous pictures and now I want to gorge myself on that yummy looking zucchini! My sister cannot eat anything with dairy in it; is there any way to make this vegan friendly?
Codrut @ AboutStrollersBlog.com says
April 25, 2018 at 2:48 amCool recipe, will share this with my father in law, thanks!