Luscious Creamy Parmesan Baked Zucchini Recipe for Dinner Delight

Summer’s bounty brings endless zucchini possibilities, especially with this delectable creamy parmesan baked zucchini recipe that turns simple vegetables into pure culinary magic.

Golden edges and melted cheese create an irresistible side dish that’s both nutritious and indulgent.

Fresh zucchini slices get adorned with a luxurious parmesan coating that crisps beautifully in the oven.

Each tender bite delivers rich, savory flavors that make vegetables genuinely exciting.

The recipe comes together in minutes, requiring minimal ingredients and zero fancy techniques.

Cheese lovers and veggie skeptics alike will devour these delightful zucchini rounds with unexpected enthusiasm.

Grab your baking sheet and get ready to elevate your vegetable game with this mouthwatering creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Creamy Parmesan Baked Zucchini

• Zucchini: Fresh, firm vegetable that absorbs creamy flavors beautifully, ensuring tender and delectable slices.
• Salt: Helps draw out excess moisture, creating perfectly textured zucchini for baking.

• Heavy Cream, Sour Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety base that adds rich depth and tangy complexity to the dish.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends aromatic herbs to infuse authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Onion Powder: Delivers subtle, sweet underlying taste without overwhelming other ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and enhances overall seasoning harmony.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, golden-brown crust with nutty and stretchy characteristics.
• Butter, Garlic: Builds foundational savory notes and creates aromatic base for sauce.

Essential Tools for Creamy Parmesan Baked Zucchini

• Baking Dish: A buttered ceramic or glass dish for baking and serving the zucchini.
• Mixing Bowl: Medium-sized bowl for whisking cream mixture ingredients together.
• Saucepan: Small pot for melting butter and cooking cream sauce.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing zucchini into even ¼-inch pieces.
• Cutting Board: Stable surface for slicing zucchini.
• Paper Towels: To remove excess salt and moisture from zucchini slices.
• Whisk: To blend cream mixture and sauce smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: For accurately measuring cream and cheese quantities.
• Measuring Spoons: To measure seasonings precisely.

How to Bake Creamy Parmesan Zucchini Step-by-Step

• Zucchini Prep

Fresh zucchini sliced thin and sprinkled with a touch of salt, allowing natural moisture to release for a perfect creamy texture.

• Flavor Foundation

Whisk together rich cream, tangy sour cream, and aromatic seasonings to create a luxurious sauce that will transform ordinary vegetables into a gourmet side dish.

• Cheese Magic

Melt butter with fragrant garlic, then blend in cream mixture and velvety mozzarella, creating a silky, irresistible coating for the zucchini.

• Baking Brilliance

Pour the decadent cream sauce over zucchini slices, generously top with a blanket of parmesan and mozzarella, then bake until golden and bubbling with delicious promise.

• Serving Moment

Allow the dish to rest briefly after emerging from the oven, letting the flavors meld and settle into a creamy, cheesy masterpiece that will wow everyone at the table.

Smart Tips & Fun Twists for Baked Parmesan Zucchini

• Smart Cooking Tips & Tasty Variations
• Pat zucchini slices completely dry after salting to ensure a crispy, non-watery baked dish that holds its delicious creamy sauce perfectly.
• Swap Italian seasoning with fresh chopped herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary to create a personalized flavor profile that matches your taste preferences.
• Enhance the dish by adding cooked crumbled bacon, diced chicken, or crispy pancetta between zucchini layers for a heartier meal that satisfies bigger appetites.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like gruyère, fontina, or sharp cheddar to transform the classic parmesan flavor and create a unique culinary experience.
• Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter version that maintains the creamy texture while reducing overall calorie content.

Serving Ideas for Creamy Parmesan Zucchini

• Pair with Protein Perfection: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or baked salmon for a complete, satisfying meal that balances the creamy zucchini with lean protein.
• Rustic Table Companion: Complement the dish with crusty garlic bread or toasted sourdough to soak up the delicious cheesy cream sauce and add textural contrast.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley right before serving to brighten the rich, creamy flavors and add a pop of color to the golden-brown zucchini.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Match the dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness and enhance the overall dining experience.

How to Keep Creamy Parmesan Zucchini Fresh for Later

• Refrigerate Smartly: Transfer any leftover zucchini to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The creamy sauce might slightly separate, but a quick reheat will restore its delicious texture.
• Freeze with Caution: While possible, freezing isn't recommended as the zucchini's moisture and cream sauce can become watery and lose its original creamy consistency when thawed.
• Reheat Gently: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to maintain the crispy cheese topping and prevent the zucchini from becoming soggy. Avoid microwave reheating to preserve the dish's original texture.
• Prep Ahead Trick: Slice and salt zucchini, prepare cream mixture, and assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance. Keep covered in the refrigerator and bake just before serving for maximum freshness and flavor.

Crispy Parmesan Baked Zucchini Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Succulent creamy parmesan baked zucchini showcases summer’s garden harvest with rich, cheesy elegance. Fresh zucchini slices emerge golden and crisp, inviting eager appetites to savor Mediterranean-inspired comfort you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) zucchini, cut into ¼-inch slices
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter, cut into small cubes
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
• Salt for zucchini

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Instructions

1. Zucchini Preparation: Salt zucchini rounds and let rest for 15 minutes to extract excess moisture, then thoroughly pat dry with paper towels.
2. Sauce Creation: Whisk heavy cream, sour cream, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, then sauté minced garlic in melted butter for 20 seconds before incorporating cream mixture.
3. Cheese Integration: Stir shredded mozzarella into the warm sauce until completely melted and smoothly blended.
4. Assembly: Arrange dried zucchini slices in a single layer within a buttered 9×13 inch baking dish, then pour creamy sauce evenly over the zucchini, gently shaking to distribute mixture uniformly.
5. Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheese across the surface, creating a luxurious cheesy layer.
6. Baking Process: Place in a preheated 425°F oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until the top turns golden brown and zucchini becomes tender.
7. Resting and Serving: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes, allowing sauce to set and flavors to harmonize before presenting the dish.

Notes

• Salt Absorption Technique: Remove excess moisture from zucchini by salting slices and letting them rest for 15 minutes, preventing watery dish and ensuring crisp texture.
• Sauce Whisking Tip: Continuously whisk cream mixture while heating to prevent separation and achieve smooth, consistent sauce without lumps.
• Cheese Melting Strategy: Add cheese gradually and stir constantly to create perfectly integrated, creamy sauce without clumping or burning.
• Resting Period Importance: Let dish rest 5 minutes after baking to allow sauce to set and flavors to blend, enhancing overall taste and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg