Zucchini Augratin | Simple and Delicious
Zucchini Augratin is a mouthwatering blend of tender zucchini slices, rich cream, and gooey melted cheese, all baked to golden perfection. This dish is a delicious way to enjoy summer zucchini and is incredibly easy to prepare, making it the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
While Zucchini Au Gratin offers a lighter, veggie-packed twist, it draws inspiration from the classic comfort foods of Scalloped Potatoes and Potato Au Gratin. These beloved dishes are known for their layers of thinly sliced potatoes, creamy sauce, and a crispy, cheesy topping that’s hard to resist.
Zucchini Au Gratin Ingredients
- 3-4 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for the topping)
Zucchini Augratin Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the heavy cream and cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Remove the skillet from heat.
- In a greased baking dish, layer the sliced zucchini in rows, slightly overlapping the slices.
- Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the layered zucchini, ensuring all slices are well-coated.
- In a separate bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella shredded cheese over the zucchini mixture in the baking dish, followed by the panko breadcrumb topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the zucchini is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- You can add other vegetables like yellow squash, Summer Squash, sliced tomatoes, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added flavor and variety.
- Fresh or dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil can be added to the cheese sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
- Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese such as Gruyère, Swiss, or Fontina to create unique flavor profiles.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats, roasted chicken, or fish. It also makes a great side dish for a holiday meal or family gathering.
FAQs about Zucchini Augratin
Zucchini Augratin
Zucchini Augratin is a mouthwatering blend of tender zucchini slices, rich cream, and gooey melted cheese, all baked to golden perfection. This dish is a delicious way to enjoy summer zucchini and is incredibly easy to prepare, making it the perfect side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for the topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the heavy cream and cream cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Remove the skillet from heat.
- In a greased baking dish, layer the sliced zucchini in rows, slightly overlapping the slices.
- Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the layered zucchini, ensuring all slices are well-coated.
- In a separate bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the melted butter until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the zucchini mixture in the baking dish, followed by the panko breadcrumb topping.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the zucchini is tender when pierced with a fork.
- Allow the dish to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!