Description
Baked zucchini and tomato casserole delivers garden-fresh comfort straight to your dinner table. Fresh vegetables, melted cheese, and simple seasonings create a delightful meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 medium zucchini squash
- 4 to 5 tomatoes
- 1½ cups mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine 1½ cups mozzarella, ½ cup Parmesan, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon basil, 1 teaspoon oregano, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Slice 2 medium zucchini into thin rounds and create the first layer across the bottom of your baking dish.
- Sprinkle ¼ of the cheese mixture evenly over the zucchini layer.
- Slice 4 to 5 tomatoes thinly and create the next layer on top of the zucchini.
- Dust another ¼ of the cheese mixture over the tomatoes.
- Repeat layering zucchini and tomatoes, alternating with cheese mixture until all ingredients are used.
- Ensure the final layer is covered with the remaining cheese mixture.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter and mix with ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs.
- Scatter the buttered breadcrumbs across the top of the casserole.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes at 375°F.
- Remove foil and continue baking for another 20 minutes until vegetables soften and top turns golden brown.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Select firm zucchini and ripe tomatoes for the best texture and flavor balance in your casserole.
- Slice vegetables evenly and thinly to ensure uniform cooking and a beautiful layered presentation.
- Pat zucchini and tomato slices dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the dish watery.
- For a gluten-free version, swap breadcrumbs with almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers for a crispy topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg