Zucchini Casserole Is An Easy One-Pot Dish
I wanted something quick easy for dinner tonight so I went to work and created a delicious Zucchini Casserole.
With all of the fresh fruit and vegetables in-season, the ingredients for this zucchini casserole will hardly put a dent in your grocery budget.
When you buy vegetables and fruits when they are in-season you will always pay far less and they taste much better.
This zucchini casserole is a dish that can be done in under 20 minutes and you don’t have to put the oven on for long.
You can even use a toaster oven if you have one to save even more money on your hydro usage.
This zucchini casserole can be made overnight and placed in the refrigerator so it’s ready to go for the next day.
What I like about that is that it makes it perfect for a dinner party where you want to prep the meal in advance.
Zucchini Casserole Tip: Don’t add the cheese until you are ready to place it under the grill.
Secret Zucchini Casserole Ingredients
Now this recipe has a few different ingredients but I assure you it will enhance the flavours immensely.
What are my secret ingredients for this zucchini casserole?
The two ingredients that I add to improve the flavour is fresh lemon zest and basil.
If you are like most people or Mr. CBB you will have an abundance of basil that grows in the garden every year so don’t be afraid to start using it to bring your dishes to life.
Lemon zest is always a great addition to vegetable dishes that bring out the natural flavours.
Lemon gives all those vegetables that are bland like the zucchini a blast of citrus that blends well with the other ingredients.
The great thing about this dish is that it can be finished off under the broiler/grill.
You can even use the gas BBQ to finish it off which means you don’t have to turn your oven on at all.
Since the zucchini casserole is topped with cheese and you have already cooked the other ingredients all you are doing is heating the dish through and melting the cheese on top.
Simple but tasty!
Zucchini 101
What exactly is zucchini?
Good question.
The zucchini also are known as the courgette in the UK is a summer squash that can reach nearly a meter in length although it is picked at half that length.
Not many people know this but the orange flowers that you will get from growing a zucchini are edible flowers also called squash blossoms.
You can use the squash blossoms to make Italian Zucchini Fritters which add colour and texture.
The squash blossom is one of many edible flowers that many people grow in their gardens.
Did you know you could even eat Daylilies?
Well, you can!
How To Make Zucchini Casserole
- 3 small green zucchinis chopped
- 1 yellow pepper finely sliced
- 2 shallots finely sliced (or 1 small onion)
- 1 small tin stewed tomatoes
- 1 cup grated strong old cheddar cheese
- Handful of fresh basil leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoons ectra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- In a pan place the olive oil then once heated add shallots, zucchini, garlic, lemon zest and peppers.
- C,ook until softened and zucchini starts browning.
- Add the tin of stewed tomatoes and cook for 5 mins.
- Add salt and pepper to taste then add basil.
- Place in a large oblong casserole dish (you want a thin layer) and cool
- If you are eating this the next day after it has cooled, wrap in plastic and place in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Once cooled sprinkle cheese over the top and then place under the broiler/grill until the cheese has melted.
- Serve immediately.
Enjoy this zucchini casserole as a main dish for dinner by doubling up the recipe.
Alternatively, enjoy it as a side dish with some juicy homemade turkey burgers and corn on the cob.
This is one dish to keep for those hot summer days when you don’t want to cook but you want something that is easy, quick and uses no oven!
Enjoy
Nikki
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Zucchini Casserole
If you are looking for a simple meatless meal this zucchini casserole is a great alternative to a meat lasagna and all you need to do is grill it and serve.
Ingredients
- 3 small green zucchinis chopped
- 1 yellow pepper finely sliced
- 2 shallots finely sliced (or 1 small onion)
- 1 small tin stewed tomatoes
- 1 cup grated strong old cheddar cheese
- Handful of fresh basil leaves chopped
- 2 tablespoons ectra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a pan place the olive oil then once heated add shallots, zucchini, garlic, lemon zest and peppers.
- C,ook until softened and zucchini starts browning.
- Add the tin of stewed tomatoes and cook for 5 mins.
- Add salt and pepper to taste then add basil.
- Place in a large oblong casserole dish (you want a thin layer) and cool
- If you are eating this the next day after it has cooled, wrap in plastic and place in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Once cooled sprinkle cheese over the top and then place under the broiler/grill until the cheese has melted.
- Serve immediately.
This looks good Nicola!!! I can see fudging is to use what ever veg are looking a touch rough too!! Might even get Mr Fussy here to eat his veggies!! Another thought would be to add some larger cooked pasta and some salad dressing and call it a pasta salad to heat cold…what do you think??
I can totally see that working! When I have this cold I mix mine with a light onion dressing the Kraft one then add cooked macaroni too it!
Nicola, it took me more than 30 minutes to cook this zucchini casserole. That being said, our family had this over dinner last night and looked forward to having this again next week. Thanks for the recipe!
Is it maybe the texture of zucchini that would change the cook time? For example, you like it soft and someone else likes the veg a bit crunchy? Maybe it’s different grill temps? Let’s see what Chef Nicola has to say 🙂 Glad you liked it. I can’t wait to make it myself. Nicola is an amazing cook.
Yup it all depends on the zucchini. If thinly sliced it really will take 15 mins start to finish. If it’s a bit zucchini too it can take longer too as they can be tough skinned. If you do use larger ones try peeling some of the skin off. Hope this helps
Sorry it Should read big Zucchini lol
LMAO sorry that just was too funny. Shall I change it to BIG zucchini! 😛
This looks amazing and very easy! Question for you, do I have to use the can of stewed tomatoes, I have celiac and there is something in the cans of stewed tomatoes that bothers me? What else would work.
You can chop normal tomatoes up add herbs and onion, let it simmer for a bit, add salt n pepper to taste. If it’s too sharp try adding a little brown sugar to it. Hope that helps
Perfect thank you.
Hi Everyone! I am a new subscriber and have recently retired. So happy to find a Canadian frugal site! I am currently having an explosion of zucchini in the garden so I’m freezing slices, shreds, breads and brownies for use in the winter. (and giving lots away)
I thought I would share another casserole we enjoy with all of you. Enjoy!
2 small zucchini ,quartered and slice into 1\4 inch slices
Chopped onion
Chopped garlic
Veg or olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
Seasonings of choice
1/4 -1/2 cup cream cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup bread crumbs or stale bread,torn
Shredded cheddar
In small pot, fry onion and garlic in small pot till soft. Add broth, seasonings and zucchini and cook until zucchini softens. Stir in bread crumb and cream cheese and continue stirring over med-low heat until cream cheese melts. Pour into small casserole and top with cheddar. Bake at 350° until golden and bubbly.
Sorry the measurements aren’t exact, I just kind of “wing it”. Turns out great every time.
Hi Bonnie,
Welcome to Canadian Budget Binder,
I’m sure you’ll find the gang of fans who participate here regularly to be a hoot as we have some good ol laughs and lots of conversation. Thanks for the recipes I’m going to try it out as soon as I get some zucchini from the relatives garden. Never a shortage that’s for sure. So what brings you to CBB? If you want to talk about FOOD and Recipes come visit my Facebook page nightly for the What’s For Dinner chat from 5-10pm. The regulars are there and new people join in the conversation all the time. It’s a great evening of chatter about frugal living and life. Chat to you soon Bonnie. Mr.CBB
Hi Sorry it took so long to reply! I found your website while searching for some frugal Canadian tips and a chance to learn from others. I will definetley log into to the chats on your facebook page, sounds like fun! Bonnie
Hi Bonnie,
Would love to have you join us on Facebook!! Come say hI. Mr.CBB