Zucchini Casserole
🕒 Cook Time: 45 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
📜 Description: This delightful zucchini casserole, whose origins I can’t quite recall, combines the essence of simplicity with a medley of flavors. With just a bit of shredding and chopping, you’re on your way to creating a dish that harmoniously blends vegetables, protein, and bread into one satisfying meal.
🍽 Recipe Category: One Dish Meal
🔍 Keywords: Cheese, Vegetable, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 438.8
- Fat Content: 32g
- Saturated Fat Content: 11.8g
- Cholesterol Content: 180.6mg
- Sodium Content: 1017.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 21.8g
- Fiber Content: 2.9g
- Sugar Content: 6g
- Protein Content: 17.8g
🥘 Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 5 | Zucchini |
| 1 1/2 | Onions |
| 1/2 | Margarine |
| 2 cups | Sharp cheddar cheese |
| 1 tsp | Salt |
| A dash | Tabasco sauce |
| 4 | Eggs |
| 3/4 cup | Bread crumbs |
Instructions:
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Prepare Zucchini Mixture: Begin by sautéing the zucchini and onions in 2 tablespoons of margarine until they soften slightly. Keep in mind that they will continue to soften during baking, so a bit of crunchiness at this stage adds a nice texture to the finished dish.
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Layering: Transfer the sautéed zucchini mixture into a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish or a 9×13-inch pan that has been coated with nonstick spray.
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Cheesy Topping: Sprinkle the shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the zucchini mixture, creating a layer of gooey goodness.
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Prepare Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs together with the salt and a dash of Tabasco sauce until well combined.
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Pour Over Zucchini: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the zucchini and cheese layers, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
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Bread Crumb Topping: Melt the remaining margarine and mix it into the bread crumbs until evenly coated. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the casserole, adding a crunchy contrast to the creamy interior.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the assembled casserole into the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the egg in the center is fully set and the top is golden brown.
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Serve: Once baked to perfection, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Slice into generous portions and enjoy the hearty flavors of this zucchini masterpiece.
Recipe Notes:
- Adjusting Serving Size: This recipe yields a sizable casserole, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers throughout the week. If desired, you can halve the ingredients and adjust the cooking time accordingly, typically reducing it to about 30-35 minutes.
- Reheating Leftovers: While leftovers can be reheated in the microwave for convenience, be aware that they may lose a bit of their initial crispiness in the process. Nonetheless, the flavors will remain delightful, making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.
