Pages

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake


Do you have lots of zucchini yet?  We have tons. 

Tons I tell you.  So much that I thought it might start growing all over again in the fridge.


I like zucchini but I don't love the stuff.  Grilled zucchini, yum.  Sauteed zucchini, OK. Maybe I just haven't found the right recipe.

A girl can only eat so much grilled zucchini.  Last week I was done.  I was eating it with quinoa, on pizza,and plain with lunch and dinner every day.  Too much grilled zucchini.


I then found this lovely little recipe for baked zucchini.  Baked zucchini with lots of cheese.  Sounds good right?  It was good.  I just might be in love with zucchini now. 


Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

by Penzeys Back to School 2011 Catalog
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes



Ingredients (serves 4)
  • 2 medium-sized zucchini, cut in slices or half-moon slices
  • 2 medium-sized yellow squash, cut in slices or half-moon slices
  • 2-4 T chopped fresh basil (or even less, depending on how much you like the flavor of basil)
  • 2 T thinly sliced green onion
  • 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
  • 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup + 1/2 cup low-fat white cheese (I used Pizza Cheese, which is a low-fat blend of Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, and Parmesan)
  • 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan (I would use a little less if you only have the very finely grated Parmesan from a can)
  • salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with olive oil spray. Wash the squash and cut in slices or half-moon slices. Wash basil, spin dry or dry with paper towels and finely chop. Slice green onions.

Combine the sliced squash, chopped basil, sliced green onions, dried thyme, garlic powder, and both kinds of cheese and stir together until the veggies are coated with cheese and the herbs are well-distributed. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Put the mixture in the baking dish and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes.

When the zucchini is nearly cooked through, take the casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese. Put the dish back in the oven and bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted and nicely browned and zucchini is fully cooked. Serve hot.

Powered by Recipage

16 comments:

  1. Easy, cheesy and zucchini - what could be more irresistable?

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    ReplyDelete
  2. This cheesy delight would be perfect for dinner tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  3. yum, this looks delicious! one of my coworkers just gave me a ton of zucchini-I feel inspiration brewing :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Zucchini and cheese. This sounds like it could be a favorite for the week. I can't wait to make this. And I have everything I need. Perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was one of the first reasons I tried it...pantry staples!

      Delete
  5. Oh my goodness, you've got me laughing as I'm reading your post. I feel the same way and if you're not careful, they grow into fat baseball bats. I just love this recipe! Nice one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love zucchini and yellow squash--and always make them about the same three ways. I'm going to have to try your recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks great. I do like zucchini and squash and am always looking for new recipes. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yeah, this could make me REALLY love zucchini. I think it's marvelous with thyme...but cheese is the winning ingredient here!

    The semolina bread didn't taste like pasta, but it did have a more rustic texture as the semolina flour is a bit grainier than bread flour.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Eeek this is officially my favorite thin you've made! I love zucchini, and of course, I love anything cheesy. Beautiful dish!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Now this is how you use up good zukes. Love it. Looks wicked good Emily.

    ReplyDelete
  11. We planted our zuch a little late, so no, we don't have any yet. Maybe in a month? But we do have tones of tomatoes! Your bake looks delish

    ReplyDelete
  12. You had me at cheesy!! This bake looks pretty freaking tasty!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You had me at cheesy!! This bake looks pretty freaking tasty!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fantastic way to make zucchini a little more exciting. Just love this cheesy baked dish and love the inspiration. I always make zucchini the same way and now know it needs a little cheese love;)

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a message. I always love hearing your thoughts and comments.