Roasted Zucchini with Cheese and Herbs
This simple roasted zucchini recipe is great for all varieties of zucchini and summer squash.
Roasted Zucchini Recipe
A vegetable side dish doesn’t have to be complicated. I often remind myself of this when menu planning for a party of twelve or more. Even if I’m making dinner for two, I remind myself again and again: keep it simple, keep it fresh and it will be great. Sometimes I’ll browse through a cookbook and see a massive list of ingredients for a vegetable dish and I’m already exhausted. I’m not new to cooking vegetables. After 19 years of being a vegetarian, I’ve pretty much cooked every vegetables a few times over. But if a vegetable recipe has an ingredient list a mile long, it’s intimidating, even for a veteran veggie cook.
So what do I do? I put what ever cookbook that wore-me-out, aside. And I go into my kitchen and improvise.
Zucchini or Summer Squash
I think simple. And with a bunch of Summer squash ripening on our vines, I think of quick. Hurry, because we’re being overloaded with Squash that if we don’t eat it fast enough, we’ll be over run *again* with a vegetable that we don’t know what to do with.
As I’m staring at our bushels of yellow squash, I’m already craving something roasted. Though today I’m only cooking for two, I’m thinking of twelve. What recipe can I make with all this squash that won’t wear me out and have me hovering over the sink with dirty dishes.
Parmesan cheese and herbs come to mind as I’ve already scared myself into NOT washing a ton of dishes. So I decided to just slice up the zucchini and after a light brush of olive oil, I piled on a bunch of my favorite cheese and sprigs of fresh herbs. It’s always nice to pile fresh herbs onto cheese because it’s a great rationale to thinking that it’s healthy. Thus, this easy roasted zucchini recipe is born.
Voila. Within thirty minutes I had a veggie side dish for two and if I was cooking for twelve, it probably take me about the same amount of time. This is one of my favorite recipes to feed a crowd and for two. The fresh flavor of the herbs and zucchini come out perfectly and the cheese adds that extra bite of flavor and salt. With only four ingredients (not counting the salt/pepper), some oven roasted-love and about 20 minutes of patience, you can have one of the most easiest and perfect vegetable side dishes.
Honestly, I can’t imagine a quicker and more satisfying roasted dish. And if you are having a bumper crop of summer squash or zucchini in your garden, this will be a perfect roasted zucchini recipe to feed your hungry crowd at your next gathering.
hugs,
diane
What do you do with all your extra zucchini or summer squash? Tis the season.
2016 Update- Post and recipe updated
Roasted Zucchini (or summer squash) with Cheese and Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 medium summer squash or zucchini
- 3/4 cup (180ml) shredded cheese
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) fresh herbs , minced
- olive oil to lightly coat the squash slices
- kosher or other flakey salt , to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F.
- Trim ends of zucchini squash and slice lengthwise about 1/4" thick. Lightly brush or spray both sides of each slice with olive oil. For the herbs, lightly spray the leaves with oil so that they don't burn.
- On baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lay the slices in one layer. Sprinkle salt and pepper on top of each slice, to taste. Add cheese and herbs on top of each slice.
- Bake zucchini squash about 20 minutes in the oven, or until the zucchini is cooked and cheese is melted. Serve warm or at room temperature.
I made this, but I added seasoned panko bread crumbs to the cheese (I used Parmesan and Romano) and then I served it with a marinara. It was great.
This is great easy and switching up from regular recipies!
These sound so good to me!! I love this recipe!
Why is parchment paper preferred over aluminum foil?
You could use either. Just oil the foil to keep it from sticking. We personally like how most food cooks on parchment a little better than foil, but it is a small difference.
Besides, parchment is easier on the environment than aluminum foil! ;o)
K.I.S.S. Easy to make yet very delicious. Less utensils to clean later. Overall, very fulfilling.
gorgeous. i love, love the utter simplicity.
I have all of these ingredients on hand…you have made me a happy lady! Beautiful…thank you!
So, I don’t normally get excited about veggies, but oh my gosh! These look delicious…and I love, love, love that they are simple! Perfect!
This looks so perfect for summer! Yum!
Courgette (or zucchini!) is one of my favourite vegetables – I love Ottolenghi’s recipe for courgette and manouri fritters and it’s so good as ‘noodles’ with pesto too. This looks like another winning courgette and cheese combo – simple, elegant and delicious.
I agree! Simple flavors are the best! The summer squash looks yummy! A favorite of mine!
These look delicious, is there maybe a way to pickle them or turn them into a relish/chutney? Slower to produce but you can shift a lot of veggies from the waste pile and have them for a long time…Have you ever stuffed the flowers, something I’ve always wanted to do but can never find them to do it!
That looks so gorgeous. I am the hugest fan of zucchini. It is just so delish.
I like simple flavors and I believe it would make a great breakfast as well.