How To Make The Cheesiest Zucchini Gratin

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Say Hello To The World's Best Zucchini Dish

Zucchini is incredibly plentiful right now. In fact, if you leave your car unlocked, some overzealous gardener might slip a few in your back seat! Just kidding, but here's a recipe you don't want to miss!

Even picky eaters and finicky kids will gobble up zucchini when you make this incredibly delicious zucchini gratin! It's loaded with sweet caramelized onions, cream, fresh Parmesan, and a bit of beef broth to give it a deep, rich flavor.

Then, it's smothered under a blanket of melty, browned cheese for the big win! And here's a major bonus! Believe it or not, zucchini gratin is low-carb to boot.

Make Zucchini Gratin Pop In A Cast Iron Skillet

In my opinion, there's no better way to prepare and present a dish than in a cast-iron skillet. My collection of old cast-iron skillets, and by old, I mean even older than me! In fact, I cook in cast iron so often, it's part of what inspired my GB's Kitchen logo!

Use These Ingredients To Make This Cheesy Zucchini Gratin

Melt half a stick of butter (real butter, please) in a cast-iron or another oven-proof skillet. Slice a medium-sized sweet onion nice and thin and saute it in the butter until it starts to get transparent and begins to brown a teeny bit.

When that happens, add the garlic and saute it with the onions, stirring up any nice brown bits from the bottom of the skillet.

While that's cooking, thinly slice four cups of zucchini. If the zucchini is a bit large, cut the circles into half moons. I just split the zucchini lengthwise and sliced away. Simpler solution!

I love my Pampered Chef Simple Slicer for small jobs like this. I love how compact it is and how nicely it fits in the drawer with my knives.

Next, add beef broth, cream, parmesan, and the salt and pepper to the skillet. Let it get all bubbly and hot. Smells absolutely amazing!

Now, put the sliced zucchini in the skillet. Let it cook for five minutes or so, until it becomes slightly tender. Stir it gently a few times as it cooks.

A Few Finishing Touches - And Did I Mention It's Low-Carb?

Finally, distribute a cup of your favorite grated cheese blend evenly over the top of the zucchini mixture. If you're like me, add a sprinkle of parsley, seasoned pepper, and some paprika for a little extra color. Why not? Mama always told us we eat with our eyes, too, right?

Now pop it in a nice, hot oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until it's all bubbly and brown on top. Feel free to add more cheese if you like!

Now comes the hard part! Waiting until it's done while your kitchen smells like heaven! What an amazing aroma! Pure bliss!

Check out that bubbly goodness topped with ever-so-slightly crispy brown cheese that crowns the skillet! This pairs beautifully with steak. It's a marriage made in heaven!

Did You Know These Things About Zucchini Squash

I sure didn't! Here are some fun facts to dazzle your friends - well, at least your cooking club! 😉

• Another name for zucchini is courgette.
• We can thank Christopher Columbus for bringing squash from Central America to the Mediterranean about 500 years ago!
• The kind of squash we call zucchini was first bred in Northern Italy, and the word comes from Italian zucchino, meaning a small squash.
• Technically, zucchini is a fruit, even though we generally consider it a vegetable!

However, one of the most interesting aspects of zucchini is its remarkable versatility! It's equally at home in zucchini brownies as it is in soups (like my wonderful Minestrone!) or hearty casseroles. Zucchini chocolate cake is renowned for its moist and tender texture.

And who doesn't love zucchini bread? And who could turn down a beautiful zucchini muffin? Seriously, zucchini for the win!

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Yield: 8 servings

World's Cheesiest Zucchini Gratin

Print

Zucchini even kids and picky eaters will gobble up! Caramelized onions, a bit of beef broth and cream give it a rich, satisfying flavor. Topped with bubbly cheese, this is a great side dish perfect for the season! Surprise! It's low carb!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes 12 seconds

Total Time 30 minutes 12 seconds

Ingredients

• 4 cups thinly sliced zucchini
• 1 medium sweet onion sliced thin
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic or use fresh if you prefer
• 1/2 tsp beef bouillon paste like Better Than Bouillon
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup fresh shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp seasoned pepper
• 1 cup Italian blend finely grated cheese or more if you like. Feel free to substitute your favorite cheese!
• Parley for garnish, optional
• Paprika for garnish, optional
• Seasoned pepper for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Slice onion and zucchini thin. If zucchini is large, cut slices in half-moons.
3. In a 9" or 10" cast iron or another ovenproof skillet, melt 1/4 cup butter.
4. Add onions to the skillet and saute until they begin to caramelize and brown a bit.
5. Add garlic and saute another minute or two.
6. Dissolve the bouillon paste in water and add it to the skillet along with salt, pepper, Parmesan, and cream. Cook and stir until it's all nice and bubbly.
7. Add zucchini and cook until it starts to get soft and tender. Stir frequently.
8. Distribute cheese over top of the mixture, sprinkle on a little parsley and paprika if you like for extra color.
9. Bake in a 425-degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes until all bubbly and brown.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 244Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 612mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 9g

What is your absolute favorite thing to make with zucchini? Do you grow your own, or do you make a beeline to the farmers market every weekend like I do?

If you liked this zucchini gratin recipe, you are my people! If you did, please share it on your social media accounts, such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter! It would sure tickle me, and I would be ever so grateful!

If you haven't already, please look for me on Facebook and Pinterest, where I will share easy, delicious, family-friendly recipes every week!

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Love GB (Betty Streff)

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