Grandma's Zucchini Casserole Giada De Laurentiis

Bring comfort food to your table with "Grandma's Zucchini Casserole," a delightful creation inspired by Giada De Laurentiis. This creamy and cheesy casserole combines tender layers of fresh zucchini with a rich blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, all seasoned with Italian herbs for a burst of Mediterranean flavor. Topped with buttery golden breadcrumbs for the ultimate crunch, this dish is both hearty and satisfying yet surprisingly light. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday gatherings, this zucchini casserole bakes to perfection in just under an hour. Whether served as a main course or a savory side, it’s a surefire way to make any meal unforgettable while sneaking in those veggies.

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 medium-sized zucchini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium-sized, diced yellow onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 0.5 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.75 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons, melted butter

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of olive oil or non-stick spray.

Step 2

Slice the zucchini into thin, even rounds (approximately 1/4 inch thick). Set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, the cooked onion-garlic mixture, and the egg. Mix thoroughly.

Step 6

Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the cheese mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 7

In the prepared baking dish, arrange one layer of zucchini slices to cover the bottom, slightly overlapping them.

Step 8

Spread a generous layer of the cheese mixture over the zucchini slices.

Step 9

Repeat the process, layering zucchini and cheese mixture, until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese mixture on top.

Step 10

In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and melted butter. Mix until the breadcrumbs are evenly coated.

Step 11

Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.

Step 12

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Step 13

Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.

Step 14

Allow the casserole to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1508.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2117.3

Total Fat 129.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g
Cholesterol 560.9mg	0%
Sodium 12683.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 154.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 65.7g
Protein 99.9g	0%

Vitamin D 58.2IU	0%
Calcium 2507.3mg	0%
Iron 9.1mg	0%
Potassium 2226.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.4%

Protein: 18.3%

Carbs: 28.3%