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Old-Fashioned Zucchini Casserole Recipe with Creamy Cheese Crust

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A cozy, old-fashioned zucchini casserole featuring a creamy cheese crust and tender zucchini layers, perfect for chilly nights and comfort food cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ cup bread crumbs (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter (for bread crumbs topping, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter or grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. Wash and thinly slice zucchini into ¼-inch rounds. Drain excess moisture in a colander.
  3. In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook about 5 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently.
  5. Sprinkle flour over onion and garlic, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to cook out raw flour taste.
  6. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until sauce thickens, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  7. Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar, Parmesan, and thyme leaves. Season with salt and pepper. Sauce should be creamy and pourable.
  8. Fold drained zucchini slices into the sauce, mixing to coat evenly. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top. For a crunchy topping, mix bread crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over cheese.
  10. Bake for 30-35 minutes until bubbly and golden with a slightly crispy cheese crust. Tent with foil if browning too fast.
  11. Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Drain zucchini well to avoid watery casserole. Use freshly grated cheese for best texture and flavor. Optionally broil for 2 minutes at the end for extra golden crust. Can substitute half butter with olive oil and use low-fat milk for lighter version. Gluten-free substitutions include almond flour and gluten-free bread crumbs.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini casserole, creamy cheese crust, comfort food, easy casserole, cheesy zucchini bake, old-fashioned recipe

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/old-fashioned-zucchini-casserole-recipe-with-creamy-cheese-crust-easy-and-cozy/