Cheesy Zucchini Casserole – The Stay At Home Chef

Zucchini will get an entire lot extra thrilling when it’s changed into Tacky Zucchini Casserole! Should you’re on the lookout for a tasty method to make use of up your zucchini, this recipe delivers. The zucchini is smothered in a wealthy mix of cheddar and parmesan, making a tacky, comforting aspect dish that’s laborious to withstand. However it’s the buttery Ritz cracker topping that actually steals the present, including the proper crunch on prime. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make.

For yellow squash, attempt our squash casserole!

Smelling all that yummy onion and tacky taste wafting via your kitchen will deliver hungry tummies to the desk. The sharp chunk of cheddar cheese with the nutty, salty taste of parmesan cheese takes zucchini from the squash in your counter to veggie nirvana. Mixing bitter cream with cheddar and parmesan cheese creates a subtlely tangy sauce, and supplies construction to the sauce to maintain it from being watery – as a result of no person desires a watery sauce. And since zucchini cooks down tender, the buttery cracker topping retains texture on this dish whereas enhancing the flavour with a layer of salty, nutty goodness. Expend among the zucchini out of your backyard or seize some from the grocery retailer, as a result of this simple casserole shall be a brand new favourite in your menu.

Ingredient Notes

• Zucchini: 1 pound sliced zucchini is roughly 2 zucchini (cucumber-sized), so that you want 6-7 regular-sized zucchini. Should you’re coping with bigger zucchini, you may wish to scoop out the seeds earlier than slicing.
• White Onion: Will be substituted with a yellow or candy onion.
• Bitter Cream: Full-fat bitter cream will give your sauce the wealthy density it wants. Greek yogurt can be utilized as an alternative if wanted—use the identical quantity (8 ounces)
• Cheese: We suggest sharp cheddar for one of the best taste and freshly grated parmesan cheese for one of the best melting.
• Crackers: Ritz is our cracker topping of selection for that buttery, salty goodness. You may all the time use 1 cup of Panko bread crumbs as a substitute when you don’t have entry to Ritz crackers.
• Garlic Powder: You’ll be able to substitute with recent minced garlic, however cut back the quantity to 1/2 teaspoon to keep away from overpowering the dish.

Drain Your Zucchini

A number of of our zucchini recipes don’t require draining the surplus liquid from the zucchini, however on this casserole draining that water is required. Cook dinner the zucchini and onions within the skillet till the zucchini simply begins to melt, about 7-10 minutes. Then utilizing a mesh strainer, drain out any liquid that has been launched through the cooking.

This step ensures that the bitter cream and cheese combination sticks to the zucchini, providing you with that wealthy, creamy consistency you need. Skipping this step will end in a watery casserole Simply no.

Make Forward Directions

For a potluck, a big gathering, or a giant dinner, you’ll be able to absolutely assemble the casserole the evening earlier than. Put together all the pieces up till the baking step, cowl it tightly with foil or plastic wrap, and refrigerate in a single day. On the day of your occasion, bake it simply earlier than you head out. If you want to transport it, cowl the baked casserole with foil to maintain it heat. You may also reheat it at your vacation spot by putting it in a 325°F oven for 10-Quarter-hour, and broil for 4-5 minutes to crisp up the topping earlier than serving.