Quick & Flavorful Summer Gratin Recipe: A Cheesy Family Favorite

Summer gratin elevates humble garden vegetables into a mouthwatering culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of warm-weather cooking.

Layers of colorful produce meld together under a golden, crispy cheese blanket, creating a sensory experience that goes beyond mere sustenance.

Each forkful reveals a delicate balance of textures and flavors, from tender vegetables to crunchy breadcrumb toppings.

The dish breathes life into seasonal ingredients, turning them into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

Herbs and olive oil whisper their aromatic secrets, elevating the natural sweetness of summer bounty.

Home cooks can effortlessly craft this elegant yet approachable meal that impresses without complicated techniques.

Why Summer Gratin Is Light, Lush, and Delicious

• Savor Summer's Bounty: This gratin captures the essence of summer vegetables, transforming simple zucchini, squash, and tomatoes into a luxurious, layered dish that bursts with fresh seasonal flavors.
• Effortless Layered Elegance: Create a stunning visual masterpiece with minimal cooking skills, carefully arranging colorful vegetable slices and cheese that melt into a beautiful, bubbling casserole perfect for impressive yet easy entertaining.
• Nutrition-Packed Comfort: Packed with fiber, low-calorie vegetables, and just the right amount of cheese, this gratin offers a balanced meal that satisfies both health-conscious eaters and comfort food lovers without compromising on taste.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy family dinner, this dish adapts easily as a side or main course, complementing various meal styles and dietary preferences with its simple, wholesome ingredients.

What Goes into a Fresh and Flavorful Summer Gratin

• Zucchini, Squash: Fresh summer vegetables that create the hearty core of the gratin with a tender, delicate texture.
• Tomatoes: Juicy and ripe slices that add moisture and bright flavor to the layered dish.
• Onions: Sweet base that provides depth and caramelized notes when sautéed golden.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances overall savory profile with its intense flavor.

• Thyme: Earthy herb that complements summer vegetables with its subtle, woodsy taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the natural vegetable flavors.

• Cheese: Melty, rich component that adds creamy texture and golden browning to the gratin.
• Olive Oil: High-quality fat for sautéing vegetables and creating a glossy, flavorful coating.

How to Make a Summer Gratin That Feels Like Sunshine

Step 1: Prepare Flavor Base

Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions until they turn golden and caramelized. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, releasing its aromatic essence.

Step 2: Set Up Baking Dish

Spread the sautéed onion mixture evenly across the bottom of a greased 2-quart baking dish. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetable Layers

• Olive oil
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• Cracked black pepper

Step 4: Create Delicious Layers

Arrange the vegetables in an alternating pattern, creating beautiful overlapping rows. Sprinkle cheese between each vegetable layer for added richness.

Step 5: Add Cheesy Topping

Mix remaining cheese with additional thyme. Generously scatter the cheese mixture across the top of the vegetable layers.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 65-70 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly. Let the gratin rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

Tips for Perfectly Layered Summer Gratin

• Slice Smartly: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create uniform vegetable slices, ensuring even cooking and a beautiful presentation.
• Drain Thoroughly: Pat tomato slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture, preventing a watery gratin.
• Layer with Care: Arrange vegetables in a slightly overlapping pattern to create an attractive, tightly packed gratin.
• Choose Fresh Produce: Select firm, in-season zucchini and summer squash for the best flavor and texture.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Opt for a mix of cheeses like gruyère and parmesan to develop a rich, complex flavor profile.

Store Summer Gratin for Easy Reheating Later

• Refrigerate Leftovers: Store remaining summer gratin in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and texture.
• Reheating Method: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer gratin to an oven-safe dish, cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning. Warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, ensuring the vegetables remain tender and the cheese melts beautifully.
• Freezing Option: Wrap the cooled gratin tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating, which helps preserve the original taste and consistency of this summer vegetable dish.

Dishes That Pair Beautifully with Summer Gratin

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Enjoy a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the gratin's fresh summer vegetables and cuts through the rich, melted cheese.
• Serve with Crusty Bread: Grab a rustic sourdough or French baguette to soak up the delicious vegetable juices and cheese drippings from the gratin.
• Match with Light Protein: Add grilled chicken or baked fish as a side to balance the vegetable-heavy dish and create a complete, satisfying meal.
• Fresh Herb Salad Sidekick: Toss a simple green salad with mixed herbs like basil and parsley to bring a bright, zesty contrast to the warm, cheesy gratin.

Fresh Ways to Change Up Your Summer Gratin

• Mediterranean Medley: Replace zucchini and squash with eggplant, bell peppers, and artichoke hearts for a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired gratin packed with robust flavors.
• Herb Garden Gratin: Swap thyme for a blend of fresh basil, oregano, and rosemary to create an aromatic summer vegetable dish with complex herbal notes.
• Spicy Southwest Gratin: Add diced green chiles, sprinkle cumin, and top with pepper jack cheese to transform the recipe into a zesty, southwestern-style vegetable casserole with a kick of heat.
• Protein-Packed Version: Incorporate layers of cooked chicken or crumbled chorizo between vegetable layers to make the gratin a complete, hearty meal with added protein and depth.

Summer Gratin Recipe

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4.7 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Summer gratin celebrates seasonal vegetables with a creamy, herb-infused charm. Mediterranean flavors meld together in this elegant dish, inviting you to savor garden-fresh ingredients baked to golden perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 1.25 pounds ripe small or medium tomatoes, cored and sliced into 0.25-inch rounds
• 0.75 pound (about 2 small) zucchini, sliced into 0.25-inch rounds
• 0.75 pound (about 2 small) yellow summer squash, sliced into 0.25-inch rounds
• 2 medium onions, finely sliced
• 1 medium garlic clove, finely minced

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1.25 cups grated Parmesan cheese, used in portions

Seasonings and Oils:

• 5 tablespoons olive oil, used in portions
• 0.25 cup fresh thyme, chopped, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt, used in portions
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 2-quart (1.9 liters) baking dish by lightly coating the interior with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. In a medium skillet, warm of olive oil over medium heat and caramelize chopped onions until they transform into a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 8-10 minutes.
3. Mince fresh garlic and briefly sauté with the onions for 45-60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence without burning.
4. Evenly distribute the onion and garlic mixture across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a flavorful foundation.
5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring proper temperature for even cooking.
6. Gently pat tomato slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which prevents a watery gratin.
7. Slice zucchini and yellow squash into uniform, thin rounds to ensure consistent cooking and attractive layering.
8. Toss the vegetable slices with olive oil, fresh thyme leaves, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly coated.
9. Create alternating layers of tomatoes, zucchini, and squash in the dish, generously sprinkling grated cheese between each vegetable layer.
10. Combine the remaining cheese and thyme, then scatter this mixture across the top of the gratin for a golden, crispy finish.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, monitoring until the top turns a deep golden brown and the vegetables are tender and bubbling.
12. Remove from the oven and allow the gratin to rest for 15 minutes, which helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier.

Notes

• Cheese melts beautifully between vibrant vegetable layers, creating a rustic Mediterranean-inspired comfort dish.
• Fresh summer produce transforms into an elegant gratin that celebrates seasonal flavors and colorful textures.
• Perfectly golden edges and bubbling cheese signal this dish is ready to be devoured straight from the oven.
• Letting the gratin rest allows flavors to meld and helps maintain a gorgeous structural presentation when serving.
• Leftover portions reheat wonderfully and taste even more delicious the next day, making it an ideal make-ahead meal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 70 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 520mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 40mg