Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (2024)

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (1)

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A golden cheesy crust seals in the fluffy, moist and creamy center of this zucchini casserole. This zucchini bake recipe is easy, irresistibly delicious and a great way to use up extra garden vegetables since it is loaded with 3 pounds of zucchini!

This recipe has simple ingredients and comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights. This is the best kind of comfort food – so satisfying but light being mostly vegetables, well technically fruit because zucchini is a fruit – seriously!

Every year, Mom grows enough zucchini in her yard to feed a small army so we are always on the lookout for new zucchini recipes! My Mother-in-law shared this recipe with my husband and it quickly became a new favorite. P.S. Have you tried our all-time favorite zucchini recipe?

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (2)

Ingredients for Zucchini Casserole:

The ingredients in this zucchini rice casserole are so simple and basic but they are a winning combination of flavor and texture.

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (3)

*To cook rice for this recipe, you will need 1 cup of uncooked rice. Here is an easy tutorial from Olga’s Flavor Factory on how to cook white rice.

How to Make Zucchini Casserole Recipe:

Prep: Preheat oven to 400˚F and butter a 9×13 baking casserole dish.

1. Grate zucchini on the large holes (the grating attachment on a food processor makes it so easy!). You should get 7 to 8 cups before squeezing dry. Transfer grated zucchini to a colander over the sink and stir in 1 tsp salt. Let stand for 10 min, stirring a couple of times then squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands. Transfer drained zucchini to a large mixing bowl.

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (4)

2. Mix 2/3 cup of sour cream with 1/2 tsp baking powder and let it stand while zucchini drains (8-10 min).

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (5)

3. Into the mixing bowl with drained zucchini, stir in 4 eggs and sour cream mixture.

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (6)

4. Add cooked rice and 2 cups shredded cheese. Stir in 1/2 cup chives, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp Mrs. Dashseasoning.

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (7)

5. Pour mixture into buttered casserole dish and lightly spread 1/3 cup sour cream over the top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over the surface and bake uncovered in the center of your oven at 400˚ for 40 min. Let it stand for 10 min before serving.

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (8)

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (9)

This zucchini bake was on the menu twice last week and it disappeared fast! It tastes like comfort food but in a light and feel good way. I love the light sweetness of the zucchini, the salty crust and moist creamy center. I find this dish completely irresistible and I hope you love it as much as we do!

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

4.96 from 128 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (11)

A golden cheesy crust seals in the fluffy, moist and creamy center of this zucchini casserole. This zucchini casserole recipe is easy, irresistibly delicious and a great way to use up extra garden vegetables!

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Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Ingredients

Servings: 8 people a side dish

  • 3 lbs green zucchini (6 medium)
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided (1 tsp for sprinkling and 1/2 tsp for casserole)
  • 2 cups cooked white rice*
  • 1 cup sour cream, (divided into 2/3 and 1/3)
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 4 eggs (large)
  • 1/2 tsp Mrs Dash seasoning, or your favorite salt-free seasoning
  • 8 oz Colby jack cheese, 3 cups shredded (or use Mexican cheese)
  • 1/2 cup chives, chopped, plus more for garnish

Instructions

Prep: Preheat oven to 400˚F and butter a 9x13 casserole dish.

    How to Make Zucchini Casserole:

    • Grate zucchini on the large holes (or the grating attachment on a food processor). Transfer grated zucchini to a colander over the sink and stir in 1 tsp salt. Let stand 10 min, stirring a couple of times then squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands. Transfer drained zucchini to a large mixing bowl.

    • Mix 2/3 cup sour cream with 1/2 tsp baking powder and let stand while zucchini drains (8-10 min).

    • Into the mixing bowl with drained zucchini, stir in 4 eggs and sour cream mixture.

    • Add cooked rice and 2 cups cheese. Stir in 1/2 cup chives, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp

    • Mrs Dash seasoning.

    • Pour mixture into buttered casserole dish and spread 1/3 cup sour cream over the top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over the surface and bake uncovered on the center rack at 400˚ for 40 min. Let stand for 10 min before serving.

    Notes

    *To cook rice for this recipe, you will need 1 cup of uncooked rice.

    Nutrition Per Serving

    279kcal Calories18g Carbs13g Protein17g Fat9g Saturated Fat123mg Cholesterol675mg Sodium603mg Potassium1g Fiber5g Sugar1030IU Vitamin A32.2mg Vitamin C285mg Calcium1.4mg Iron

    • Full Nutrition Label
    • Nutrition Disclosure

    Nutrition Facts

    Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

    Amount per Serving

    Calories

    279

    % Daily Value*

    Fat

    17

    g

    26

    %

    Saturated Fat

    9

    g

    56

    %

    Cholesterol

    123

    mg

    41

    %

    Sodium

    675

    mg

    29

    %

    Potassium

    603

    mg

    17

    %

    Carbohydrates

    18

    g

    6

    %

    Fiber

    1

    g

    4

    %

    Sugar

    5

    g

    6

    %

    Protein

    13

    g

    26

    %

    Vitamin A

    1030

    IU

    21

    %

    Vitamin C

    32.2

    mg

    39

    %

    Calcium

    285

    mg

    29

    %

    Iron

    1.4

    mg

    8

    %

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Course: Side Dish

    Cuisine: American

    Keyword: Zucchini Casserole

    Skill Level: Easy

    Cost to Make: $

    Calories: 279

    If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

    Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (12)

    This zucchini casserole is the perfect way to use sweet summer zucchini and a great way to re-purpose leftover white rice.

    Q: Do you have a go-to recipe for summer zucchini?

    Natasha Kravchuk

    Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (13)

    Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

    Read more posts by Natasha

    Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    Why is my zucchini casserole watery? ›

    Mistake # 1: It's watery

    Squash contains a lot of water, so you need to do a little prep work to mitigate for that. After slicing the squash, salt the slices and place them on a paper-towel lined baking sheet. Let it sit for 30 minutes so that the salt can draw out some of its water.

    How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy in the oven? ›

    ELEVATE THE ZUCCHINI by placing it on a baking rack, then setting that baking rack on top of your regular baking sheet. This allows air to circulate on all sides of the zucchini and helps water evaporate so the zucchini is beautifully caramelized, not soggy.

    How do you keep a casserole moist? ›

    Pro Tip: Avoid Dry Casserole.

    The best way to prevent it from drying out is to add a little bit of water, around ¼ cup, to the top of it. Allow the water to seep between the food and the sides of the baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil to seal in the moisture.

    How do you get water out of zucchini before baking? ›

    You only need a little salt — half a teaspoon of kosher salt for one medium zucchini, say — to start pulling the water out. Use more, and the zucchini will simply taste like zucchini-flavored salt. If you try to rinse out the extra salt, you risk adding back in the water you just tried to get rid of.

    Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›

    Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

    How do you know when zucchini is cooked? ›

    Once the zucchini is caramelizing, you'll continue to cook it until it's until tender all the way through—a paring knife or a fork should slip in without much resistance—but not yet mushy.

    What to do if your casserole is runny? ›

    The solution for watery casseroles is instant potato mash powder or cornflour - slake (mix with a little water) at first or it will go lumpy. Stir well. Alternatively, don't add so much water at first, especially if you're using a slow cooker.

    Why is my casserole runny? ›

    To prevent a soupy casserole, be sure to fully thaw any frozen vegetables in a colander over a bowl, and pat dry, squeeze excess moisture out of greens like spinach or chard, and quickly precook watery fresh vegetables like onions, mushrooms or squashes just until they release their moisture.

    How do you know if zucchini is too much water? ›

    🚰 Visual Cues of Overwatering
    1. Leaves that are limp, yet curiously yellow, as if they've overindulged in water.
    2. Mushy fruits and a soil scent that's more swamp than garden.
    Dec 16, 2023

    How do you tell if zucchini is overwatered? ›

    If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water.

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