Layered Harvest Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Italian Side Dishes

This layered harvest zucchini casserole recipe is one of my absolute favorite throw together summer and fall casseroles. Loaded with fresh healthy vegetables, it is a fabulous meal on its own or it makes a very satisfying Italian side dish to go along with a BBQ or any other meal!

How Do You Know Your Not Italian?

When you have to buy your own zucchini!” lol.

Well, if you do not have a garden, your nearest farmers market is a great place to start!

This zucchini recipe is based on a square 8 x 9 pyrex dish.

Making this Italian side dish for a larger crowd? Use 9 x 13 pan and double the recipe.

Michele Romano Recipes

Zucchini Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium to large size green zucchini
  • 1 medium to large sized yellow zucchini
  • 4 large ripe tomatoes
  • 1 large green pepper
  • 1 large red pepper
  • 1 fresh purple onion
  • 1 1/2 cup cottage cheese (drained in a strainer)
  • 1 green onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1/2 tps salt, few shakes of pepper
  • 2 cups grated marble cheese
  • 2 pieces of whole grain or sourdough bread. (buttered and cut into cubes)

Preparation:

  1. Wash and slice all vegetables in rounds including pepper rings.
  2. Mix fresh chopped basil, green onion, salt and pepper into cottage cheese.
  3. Start layering with zucchini on the bottom, then tomatoes, cottage cheese, peppers and onions.
  4. Repeat layering until casserole dish is full.
  5. NOTE: I only do one layer of cottage cheese.
  6. Cover top of casserole with grated marble cheese.
  7. Arrange buttered bread cubes to cover top of cheese. Gently pat down with your hands.
  8. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes and golden brown on top.
  9. Drain excess juice from casserole by covering with tinfoil or a lid and carefully pouring into a dish or a turkey baster works well.

Prep Time: 20 min.
Cook Time: 45 min.
Serves: 6

Live Long and Mangia!

Health Benefits

Zucchini: Want to lose weight in a healthy way, its time for you to learn about the health benefits of Zucchini. Zucchini is well known to reduce weight, yet still boosting the nutrientional value of your diet. It also helps to promote eye health, and prevents all the diseases that occur from vitamin C deficiency like sclerosis, scurvy and bruising easily. Zucchini helps cure asthma and is high in vitamin C containt, carbohydrates, fiber and protein. Zucchini contains significant quantities of folate, potassium, and vitamin A, all of which are important for general good health. Zucchini eaten regularly, can lower your homocysteine levels.

For more on eating healthy, I find The Health Benefits Times very informative.