Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Even the leftovers are great, so I sometimes double this recipe and make two casseroles. I love zucchini! It’s such a fresh-tasting vegetable. I really disliked it as a kid, but I think that was because I mostly ate it boiled, which is certainly not the best way to cook it. While I adore zucchini prepared in pretty much any other way (grilled zucchini is a fave), in this casserole, it’s especially good. When combined with marinara sauce and cheese, it gives you a delicious pizza-like experience while remaining keto and gluten-free. It’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy zucchini while it’s in season.

Ingredients

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty zucchini casserole. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need: Olive oil spray: This is my favorite oil. It is so flavorful! But if you’re unsure about cooking with it, you can use avocado oil instead. It has a higher smoke point. Fresh zucchini: Try to pick firm zucchini with smooth, dark green skin. Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, reduce the amount you use, or the casserole could end up too salty. Marinara sauce: It’s best to use a sugar-free sauce such as Rao’s. Needless to say, if you have homemade sauce, that would be perfect. Spices: I like to use dried oregano and garlic powder. Make sure the spices you use are fresh! A stale spice can easily ruin a dish. Cheeses: I use shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan in this recipe.

Instructions

Making this zucchini casserole is so easy! The detailed instructions are listed in the recipe card below. Here are the basic steps: Salt the zucchini slices to remove excess liquid. While this step is annoying, you really shouldn’t skip it. Mix the drained zucchini slices with marinara sauce, spices, and shredded cheese. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish and sprinkle the top with some more cheese. Bake the casserole until browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes in a 400°F oven.

Expert tip

This is an easy recipe, but one step that you should not skip is salting and draining the zucchini. This step is not hard to do. It just requires patience, and it’s important. It helps get rid of excess water and keeps the casserole from becoming soggy.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

Sometimes I replace the marinara sauce with the same amount (1 cup) of sour cream. The rest of the recipe remains exactly the same. It creates a different flavor profile - milder and creamier. I do like the marinara sauce version better. But sometimes it’s nice to try something a little different.

Serving suggestions

This casserole makes an excellent side dish to almost any main course you can think of. I often serve it with one of the following main dishes:

Sole meunièrePork rind crusted pork chopGluten-free chicken tendersBaked chicken meatballsSpicy chicken drumsticks

Storing leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently, in the microwave on 50% power. They are also surprisingly good when eaten cold!

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