Easy Zucchini Parmesan​

Enjoy a delicious and easy zucchini parmesan casserole. Layers of roasted zucchini, tomato sauce, and cheesy Parmesan make for a tasty side dish.



Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 180kcal

Ingredients​

For the Tomato Sauce​

• 1 (24-ounce) jarred tomato sauce (use a quality sauce)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning) plus fresh basil if using.
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Zucchini Parmesan​

• 2 pounds zucchini ends trimmed, halved crosswise, and sliced thinly (1/3 to 1/4 inch thick).
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup Parmesan
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions​

• Preheat the oven to 450℉ and line two sheet pans with parchment for easy clean-up.

Roast the Zucchini​

• Prepare the zucchini slices, season with salt and pepper on both sides, and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Arrange slices on the prepared baking sheets sprinkle with red pepper flakes, and roast until lightly golden and fork tender; about 10-12 minutes. Drain on paper towels and pat dry, eliminating as much moisture as possible from the zucchini strips.
• Reduce oven temperature to 375℉.

Tomato Sauce​

• While the zucchini is roasting, add the jarred tomato sauce into a saucepan. Stir in seasonings, garlic, and butter. Heat and stir over medium heat until the butter melts. Set aside.

Assemble the Dish​

• Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce on the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. Arrange 1/3 of the zucchini in an even layer over the sauce—spoon 1/3 of the remaining sauce over the zucchini and top with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Repeat this layer 2 more times, ending with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes or until bubbling and browned on top. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil or parsley.

Notes​

• 
  
• How to Store: Cover leftovers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• 
  
• Making Ahead: Roast the zucchini the day before and store it covered in the refrigerator.
• 
  
• Basil: I'm partial to adding basil to this dish because it brings tremendous flavor. If possible, garnish with fresh basil for a beautiful flavor.
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• Tomato Sauce: Choose your favorite sauce. To add protein, simply add cooked ground beef, turkey, or chicken to the sauce.
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• Browning the Top: If you want the top of the casserole to be more browned, broil on high for a few minutes, but keep your eye on it—it browns very quickly.

Nutrition​

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 305mg | Potassium: 426mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 636IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 228mg | Iron: 1mg