If you’re looking for a tasty, light, and irresistible side dish, the baked zucchini with mozzarella is the perfect choice! A simple and quick recipe, ideal for enhancing this vegetable with a few ingredients. The crunchy breadcrumb crust meets the stringy heart of the mozzarella, creating a mix of flavors that wins you over at the first taste. Perfect for accompanying meat or fish mains or enjoying as a light main dish. Discover how to prepare them in a few steps!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 2 people
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer
Ingredients
- 1 Zucchini
- 1 Mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon Grated Cheese (or vegetarian gran cheese)
- to taste Breadcrumbs
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- to taste Butter
Preparation
Wash the zucchini, remove the ends, and cut them into small cubes. Also, cut the mozzarella into pieces and let it drain well in a colander to prevent it from releasing too much water during cooking.
In a bowl, combine the zucchini and well-drained mozzarella. Add the grated cheese, a pinch of salt (don’t overdo it because the cheese is already salty), and a sprinkle of pepper. Mix to combine the ingredients.
Lightly butter a baking dish and sprinkle it with breadcrumbs. This helps create a crispy base and absorb any moisture from the mozzarella.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish and level it. Sprinkle the surface with more breadcrumbs and distribute a few pats of butter to achieve perfect browning.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 356°F for about 30 minutes, until the surface is golden and crispy.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Enjoy them hot to best appreciate the stringy mozzarella!
Useful Tips
Dry Mozzarella: To prevent the mozzarella from releasing too much water during cooking, choose a pizza mozzarella or let it drain for at least 30 minutes.
Extra Crunchiness: You can mix the breadcrumbs with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an even more golden crust.
Right Baking Dish: Use a dish that is not too large to prevent the ingredients from spreading too thin and the mozzarella from not producing the right stringy effect.
Variations
With Tomatoes: Add some cherry tomatoes cut in half for a touch of freshness.
With Spices: Try adding oregano, thyme, or a pinch of paprika for a more aromatic flavor.
More Protein: Add diced cooked ham or bacon to make the dish more substantial.
FAQ – Baked Zucchini and Mozzarella
Can I use another cheese instead of mozzarella?
Yes! You can replace the mozzarella with scamorza, provola, or a melting cheese of your choice.
How can I store the baked zucchini and mozzarella?
You can store them in the fridge for 1-2 days in an airtight container. Reheat them in the oven at 356°F for a few minutes before serving.
Can they be frozen?
Better not, as the mozzarella may release too much water after thawing and compromise the texture of the dish.
