A delightful side dish combining tender zucchini with a creamy, cheesy sauce topped with crispy buttery crackers.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Comfort Food, Vegetarian
Servings: 4servings
Equipment
Large Skillet
Baking Dish
Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
Butter
¼cupunsalted butterfor sautéing
2tablespoonsunsalted buttermelted for topping
Onion
1cupsweet onionpeeled and diced
Garlic
1clovegarlicminced
Zucchini
4mediumzucchinisliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
Seasonings
2teaspoonssalt
½teaspoonblack pepper
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
Flour
2tablespoonsall-purpose flourheaping
Milk
¾cupwarm milk
Cheese
¾cupsharp cheddar cheeseshredded, divided
Crackers
1cupRitz crackersor other buttery crackers, crushed
Instructions
Step 1: Gather all your ingredients. Wash the zucchini and slice it into ¼-inch thick rounds.
Step 2: In a large skillet, melt ¼ cup of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the diced sweet onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until the zucchini is tender.
Step 4: Sprinkle the flour over the zucchini mixture and stir well to combine. Allow the flour to cook for about 1 minute.
Step 5: Slowly pour in the warm milk while stirring to avoid lumps. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Stir in ½ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
Step 6: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the cheesy zucchini mixture into a greased 9×9 inch baking dish.
Step 7: In a separate bowl, combine the remaining cheddar cheese with the crushed crackers and melted butter. Mix until well coated and sprinkle over the zucchini mixture.
Step 8: Bake for about 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes when sautéing. If the zucchini releases too much water, drain it before adding the cheese sauce.