🥒🧀 One Pan Baked Zucchini Cheese

This One Pan Baked Zucchini Cheese is the perfect side dish or light main—golden, cheesy zucchini baked until tender and infused with garlic and olive oil. It’s quick, low-carb, and bursting with flavor, making it a family-friendly favorite that pairs beautifully with chicken, fish, or steak.

📋 Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

Main Ingredients

• 3 medium zucchini, sliced into rounds or half-moons
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mix of mozzarella & cheddar)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (optional)

🥄 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or oven-safe skillet.
2. Prep zucchini: Toss sliced zucchini with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Arrange in pan: Spread zucchini evenly in the dish.
4. Add cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan generously over the top.
5. Bake: Cook for 18–22 minutes, until zucchini is tender and cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden.
6. Serve: Let cool slightly, then serve warm as a side or light main dish.

🍴 Notes

• For extra crispiness, broil for 2 minutes at the end.
• Use yellow squash along with zucchini for a colorful variation.
• Goat cheese or feta can be added for tangy flavor.
• Can also be cooked in a cast-iron skillet for a rustic presentation.

💡 Tips

• Slice zucchini evenly so it bakes consistently.
• Pat zucchini dry with paper towels before baking to reduce excess moisture.
• Add a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley before serving for freshness.
• Great way to use up garden zucchini in summer!

🍽️ Servings

• Serves 3–4 as a side dish or 2 as a main.

🔢 Nutritional Info (per serving, 1 of 4)

• Calories: ~170
• Protein: ~9g
• Fat: ~12g
• Carbs: ~7g (mostly from zucchini)
• Fiber: ~2g

✅ Benefits

• Low-carb & keto-friendly – perfect for light, healthy meals.
• Vegetable-rich – packed with vitamins A, C, and potassium.
• Quick & easy – ready in under 30 minutes.
• Family-friendly – cheesy, comforting, and satisfying.

❓ Q & A

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes—use dairy-free mozzarella and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Q: How do I prevent soggy zucchini?
A: Pat zucchini dry, don’t overcrowd the pan, and finish under the broiler for crispiness.

Q: Can I meal-prep this?
A: Yes, bake ahead and reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes. Best served fresh for maximum crispness.

Q: Can I add protein to make it a full meal?
A: Absolutely—add cooked chicken, sausage, or ground beef before topping with cheese.

Q: What cheeses work best?
A: Mozzarella for melt, Parmesan for sharpness, cheddar for richness, or a mix for best flavor.