Cheesy Scalloped Zucchini
A quick and elegant side dish featuring thinly sliced zucchini baked in a creamy thyme-infused sauce with Gruyère, Parmesan, and crisp panko topping.
4 Servings
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter softened (for greasing the baking dish)
- 1 pound zucchini thinly sliced
- ⅔ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese freshly grated
- 1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup Gruyère cheese freshly grated
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- Kosher salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler: Position an oven rack approximately six inches below the broiler and set the broiler to high.
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a shallow 9x13-inch baking dish or a rimmed sheet pan with softened butter to prevent sticking.
- Season and broil zucchini: Arrange the zucchini slices evenly in the prepared dish. Lightly season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place under the broiler and cook for approximately 4 minutes, or until the zucchini begins to soften.
- Prepare the cream mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, dried thyme, garlic powder, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and flour until smooth and fully combined.
- Assemble the dish: Carefully remove the zucchini from the oven. Evenly pour the cream mixture over the zucchini. Sprinkle the Gruyère cheese over the top, followed by the panko breadcrumbs.
- Broil until golden and bubbling: Return the dish to the oven and broil for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
- Serve warm: Allow the dish to rest briefly before serving to allow the flavors to settle.
Notes
To prepare this dish gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. In addition, replace traditional panko breadcrumbs with a certified gluten-free panko alternative. Ensure all other ingredients, particularly the cheese and seasoning blends, are labeled gluten-free, as some pre-shredded cheese products may contain additives that include gluten.