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Home » Side Dishes » Zucchini Gratin

Published: April 24, 2018 Last Modified: March 23, 2019 By Sara 28 Comments

Zucchini Gratin

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Zucchini Gratin Recipe | Cheesy Zucchini | Baked Zucchini | Easy Zucchini Recipe

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.

Zucchini Gratin Recipe | Cheesy Zucchini | Baked Zucchini | Easy Zucchini Recipe #zucchini #casserole #cheese #dinner #sidedish #dinneratthezoo

Zucchini gratin with creamy zucchini, cheese and crispy breadcrumbs.

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.

Sauteed zucchini and onions in a skillet.

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.

Sauteed zucchini and onions in a baking dish.

The final step is more sauce and a sprinkling of seasoned breadcrumbs before the gratin goes into the oven.

Zucchini gratin with layers of cheese, sauce and breadcrumbs, ready to go 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.

Baked zucchini gratin with layers of cheese, creamy sauce, breadcrumbs and herbs in a baking dish.

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 with creamy zucchini, cheese and crispy breadcrumbs.
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5 from 13 votes

Zucchini Gratin

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!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 366kcal
Author Sara Welch

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 432mg | Potassium: 424mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1110IU | Vitamin C: 21.5mg | Calcium: 370mg | Iron: 1.4mg
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    Comments

    1. Deb says

      August 5, 2019 at 9:37 am

      5 stars
      I serve this as a main course for a meatless night. Everyone is always happy to have it! Leftovers are great for lunch

      Reply
      • Lori A Barney says

        May 19, 2020 at 1:16 pm

        Making this now, have a quick question. Can I make this ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake? I, NOT a cooker! LOL

        Reply
        • Sara says

          May 19, 2020 at 1:34 pm

          That’s fine but leave the topping off until you’re ready to bake or it could get soggy!

          Reply
    2. Justine says

      October 4, 2018 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      I 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.

      Reply
      • Sara says

        October 5, 2018 at 8:56 am

        So glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reporting back!

        Reply
    3. Debbie says

      May 7, 2018 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      I had planted a garden and now I’ve got a recipe for the abundance of zucchini I am expecting!

      Reply
    4. fashionmommy says

      May 1, 2018 at 1:35 am

      I think this looks and sounds fabulous, and would be a great accompaniment to a chicken dish.

      Reply
    5. Becca Wilson says

      April 29, 2018 at 9:28 am

      I absolutely love zucchini and this looks delicious. I am definitely making this as a side this week.

      Reply
    6. Paula Stewart says

      April 29, 2018 at 5:40 am

      5 stars
      With 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.

      Reply
    7. nicole says

      April 28, 2018 at 6:04 am

      This 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!

      Reply
    8. Shraddha Tripathi says

      April 28, 2018 at 5:14 am

      This looks yummy and healthy too. There are many benefits of zucchini. I love to try this for sure.

      Reply
    9. Ashlee | She Can Social says

      April 27, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      Oh 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!

      Reply
    10. Sudipta says

      April 27, 2018 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks for posting this awesome recipe. I love zucchini, will surely try out this interesting new dish.

      Reply
    11. Kc puentespina says

      April 27, 2018 at 12:03 pm

      I don’t cook zucchini because I honestly don’t know enough recipes to make t! 😁 But I’m going to try this one. ☺️

      Reply
    12. Sela says

      April 27, 2018 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      This 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.

      Reply
    13. Genny says

      April 27, 2018 at 8:28 am

      We 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.

      Reply
    14. Chi says

      April 26, 2018 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness this looks delicious. I cannot wait to give the recipe a try. So yummy!

      Reply
    15. Terri Beavers says

      April 26, 2018 at 8:04 am

      5 stars
      I 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.

      Reply
    16. LIFE AS A WIFE says

      April 26, 2018 at 4:14 am

      5 stars
      Cooked it last night and it was yummy. Thanks for sharing the recipe 😊

      Reply
    17. Brittany says

      April 25, 2018 at 2:56 pm

      Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables!!! This looks like a fun recipe to make!!

      Reply
    18. Albert Bevia says

      April 25, 2018 at 2:04 pm

      I´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

      Reply
    19. Natalie Allen says

      April 25, 2018 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      This 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?

      Reply
    20. Codrut @ AboutStrollersBlog.com says

      April 25, 2018 at 2:48 am

      5 stars
      Cool recipe, will share this with my father in law, thanks!

      Reply
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