Cheesy Zucchini Bake (Printable Recipe)

Golden layers of zucchini, tomatoes, herbs, and melted cheese make this bake hearty yet light for any dinner table.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried basil

→ Cheese and Toppings

08 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
12 - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Wash zucchini and slice into uniform 1/4 inch rounds. Halve cherry tomatoes and set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, combine sliced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, and minced garlic. Add salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
03 - Drizzle olive oil over seasoned vegetables and toss to coat. Spread half of the mixture evenly in prepared baking dish.
04 - Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the first vegetable layer.
05 - Spread remaining vegetable mixture over cheese layer. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Sprinkle breadcrumbs if using.
06 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Salt zucchini slices and let sit 10 minutes before mixing to remove excess moisture
02 - Use mix of fresh and aged mozzarella for best melting and flavor
03 - Don't skip resting period after baking for proper setting
04 - Yellow squash can substitute for half the zucchini for color variety