If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing veggie side dish, you won’t find better than this. Even if you’re not usually a fan of zucchini, roasting it in olive oil with toasty parmesan over the top makes it feel like a treat and just might change your mind.
Zucchini: You’ll want about a pound to a pound-and-a-half of zucchini, which is 3 or 4 small zucchinis or about 2 medium-to-large zucchinis. Olive oil: A good-quality olive oil not only helps keep the zucchini from sticking to the baking tray but adds flavor and richness. This is olive oil is generally considered the gold standard for affordable but excellent. Parmesan: Freshly grated parmesan is preferred here because it melts and browns extremely nicely, but the bagged pre-shredded stuff works just fine. Salt & pepper: You don’t really need more seasoning than a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, but if you’d like to experiment with flavors, try adding a little garlic powder or Italian seasoning.
How to Make the Best Baked Parmesan Zucchini (Tips and Tricks)
Be strategic about how you slice your zucchini: Prefer softer zucchini? Slice it into thinner rounds, around 1/4-inch thick. Like your baked zucchini on the firmer side? Cut it thicker, closer to 1/2-inch. Don’t skip the broiler: The final step in this recipe after roasting your zucchini is to switch on the broiler and broil the rounds for just a couple minutes. This makes the cheese extra toasty and delicious. But keep a close eye on your zucchini while the broiler is going. Food under the broiler can burn very quickly, so you never want to leave your broiler unattended.
What to Serve With Cheesy Roasted Zucchini?
These bites are great alongside almost anything, particularly simple lunch sandwiches or:
Tomato Soup Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Sausage Pasta Buttered Noodles
Bonus Tip: If you have leftover Pizza Sauce or marinara sauce in your fridge, serve these as a snack and use them for dipping. You can even add chopped pepperoni if you have it (layer it under the parmesan before baking).
More Easy Vegetable Sides
Roasted Zucchini Butter and Garlic Green Beans Broccoli in the Oven Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
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