Easy Italian Zucchini Bake Recipe Side Dish

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An Easy Italian Zucchini Bake Recipe that turns summer zucchini into a main dish that the whole family will love. With fresh Italian seasoning and baked to golden brown make this an easy zucchini recipe or serve it as the main course. 

When the zucchini season hits in the summer months and you are craving healthy fresh veggies for dinner.  This is an easy Italian zucchini bake recipe you will make all summer long. It is one of the best ways I know of to use all the garden zucchini and get lots of vegetables in your diet. 

Fresh Garden Zucchini Bake – Perfect Summer Side Dish

This Italian style zucchini bake takes all the zucchini you have in the garden and makes dinners for the whole summer. Fresh zucchini straight from the garden or local market, and a sprinkle of fresh or dried Italian seasoning.  

This side dish has delightful golden brown bread crumbs toppings and all the fresh veggies you can add to the baking dish. Remember the breadcrumb topping the is best part.

There are so many different ways to make this simple zucchini dish but the recipe below is my favorite way to make a baked zucchini casserole. See below for all the options you have to make this recipe your own.

So, when you’re looking for ways to use all the zucchini this zucchini season, remember this Easy Italian Zucchini Bake. It’s one of those favorite zucchini recipes that you’ll turn to repeatedly.

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Customize Your Zucchini Bake: Personalized Recipe Variations

We call this recipe in our family a “Z-Bake”. My best friend coined the name and we have been using it ever since.

These are suggestions that are beyond the basics and never be afraid to add your favorite veggies, cheeses, sauce, and toppings.

• Green or yellow zucchini slices
• Parmesan cheese or any favorite cheese
• Any fresh herbs
• Fresh tomatoes
• Summer squash
• Red Bell Pepper – any peppers
• Fresh parsley
• Italian sausage
• Fresh garlic or garlic powder
• Cherry tomatoes or tomato slices
• A layer of marinara sauce

Other Summer Recipes You Will Love

• Yellow Crookneck Summer Squash Bake Casserole
• Instant Pot Corn Chowder with Potato
• Cold Tomato Gazpacho Soup

Tips for making Italian Zucchini Bake

1. You have to use fresh zucchini, frozen will add too much water to the side dish.
2. Use Panko bread crumbs for a crisper golden brown top. The topping is the best part of this dish. 
3. You can use dried herbs but the best fresh ingredients are fresh herbs
4. ​Make this recipe in a casserole or baking pan with high sides.
5. The sliced zucchini can be thin or thick and never be afraid to use extra zucchini as it will sink down when baking. 

Ingredients needed for Easy Italian Zucchini Bake Recipe

• 1 large onion sliced
• 1 large zucchini sliced
• 2 ears of fresh corn – removed from the cob
• Fresh basil 
• Fresh oregano
• 1 cup of panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 of a sick of margarine or butter 

How to Make Easy Italian Zucchini Bake – “Z Bake”

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Spray a large casserole baking dish with extra virgin olive oil spray.
3. Slice a large onion thin with a mandolin and layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
4. Slice a large green or yellow zucchini on a mandolin and layer on top of the onion.
5. Next, remove the uncooked corn from the husk of the cob and layer on top of the zucchini, if you are adding tomatoes add to the top next.
6. Sprinkle the fresh herbs on the top layer or in between each layer. 
7. Layer the panko bread crumbs on the top, cut the butter into pats, and sprinkle on top.
8. Bake in a 400-degree very hot oven for 90 minutes. 
9. Make this recipe your own. Change up the layers, and add more or less of any ingredient. 

Easy Italian Zucchini Bake Recipe Side Dish

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• Author: Crafting a Family Dinner
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Total Time: 23 minute
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: side dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

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Description

An Easy Italian Zucchini Bake that turns summer zucchini into a main dish that the whole family will love. With fresh Italian seasoning and baked to golden brown make this as an easy zucchini recipe or serve it as the main course. 

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large onion sliced
• 1 large zucchini sliced
• 2 ears of fresh corn – removed from the cob
• 1 tablespoon of Fresh Basil
• 1 tablespoon of Fresh Oregano
• 1 cup of Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1/2 of a sick of margarine or butter

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Spray a large casserole baking dish with extra virgin olive oil spray.
3. Slice a large onion thin with a mandolin and layer on the bottom of the baking dish.
4. Slice a large green or yellow zucchini on a mandolin and layer on top of the onion.
5. Next, remove the uncooked corn from the husk of the cob and layer on top of the zucchini, if you are adding tomatoes add to the top next.
6. Sprinkle the fresh herbs on the top layer or in between each layer. 
7. Layer the panko bread crumbs on the top, cut the butter into pats, and sprinkle on top.
8. Bake in a 400-degree very hot oven for 90 minutes. 

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Notes

1. I like to use a mandolin with a hand guard for safety to make sure the slices are even. However, you can use a cutting board and a knife. 
2. You can use any plant-based butter for this dish. Our family is improving our heart health so we use vegan butter. 
3. Make this recipe your own. Change up the layers, and add more or less of any ingredient. 

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