As soon as summer begins, nature generously rewards us with healthy vegetables. Zucchini is one of the first to ripen in our garden bed. It's time to break the usual culinary stereotypes and cook zucchini in a new way. Everyone, without exception, will love zucchini casserole in the oven. We will discuss recipes for such a treat in today’s article.
Vegetable casserole in the oven with zucchini is a dish that you can prepare in just one hour. Even an inexperienced cook can cope with the task. Representatives of the stronger half of humanity will love zucchini casserole with minced meat in the oven. You can safely improvise, because zucchini tastes in harmony with other vegetables, meat ingredients, smoked meats, and sauces.
Zucchini casserole with cheese in the oven is a classic. Complete the dish with sour cream filling and sprinkle cheese on top. The amber crust and delicate creamy aroma will make an unforgettable impression on tasters.
Required Ingredients
- zucchini – 1 kg;
- cream – 10 table. spoon;
- boiled chicken meat – 0.2 kg;
- carrots - 2 medium-sized root vegetables;
- sweet bell pepper – 2 pieces;
- onion – 2 heads;
- greens – 1 bunch;
- salt, pepper mixture;
- Russian cheese – 0.1 kg;
- tomato paste – 1 teaspoon. spoon;
- chicken eggs - 3 pieces.
Zucchini casserole in the oven: how to cook
- You can immediately boil the chicken until cooked. Of course, first we defrost it and wash it thoroughly.
- Using a vegetable peeler, remove the skin from the zucchini. Remove the stalk.
- Cut the peeled zucchini into circles of approximately the same size.
- Transfer to a deep bowl and sprinkle with salt.
- Leave the vegetable in this form for a quarter of an hour. The released juice is then drained.
- Grind the boiled chicken meat.
- Peel two onions and cut into thin half rings.
- Peel the carrots with a vegetable peeler, wash and grate on a medium grater.
- Chop the peeled sweet bell pepper into strips.
- We wash any greens to your taste, dry them and finely chop them with a knife.
- Place 9 tablespoons of cream into a bowl. Add tomato paste and stir well. Add a little salt.
- Grate Russian cheese on a medium grater. Set half of the cheese mass aside.
- Combine some of the grated cheese in a bowl with chopped herbs.
- Take another bowl and break raw chicken eggs into it. Add the remaining portion of cream to them.
- Sauté chopped vegetables, except zucchini, in vegetable oil until golden brown and softened.
- Then add boiled chicken to the fried vegetables.
- Stir and simmer over low heat for another 5-7 minutes.
- Now we need to combine the fried vegetables with cream, beaten egg mass, cheese and herbs.
- Mix all this thoroughly until smooth.
- Grease the ceramic mold with vegetable oil.
- Place some zucchini on the first layer.
- The next layer is the prepared fill. Spread some of the filling. Next, distribute the remaining zucchini.
- Spread the remaining filling on top and place the casserole in the oven.
- We will bake at a temperature of 180° for about 30 minutes.
- Then take out the casserole and sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top.
- Return to the oven for another 7-10 minutes until the cheese crust browns. Cool the prepared casserole slightly and place into plates in portions.
Step-by-step recipe for zucchini and tomato casserole
This dish is so light and low in calories that you can eat it for dinner. It contains many vitamins and healthy ingredients. Products for it can be found in almost every refrigerator, especially during the vegetable season.
To prepare the casserole, take:
- 500 g zucchini;
- 1 large onion;
- 4 large tomatoes;
- 2 eggs;
- 1 tbsp. flour;
- 4 tbsp. breadcrumbs;
- 2 cloves of garlic;
- 150 g soft cheese;
- olive or vegetable oil
- salt, pepper, dried oregano.
For the tomato sauce, finely chop the onion and sauté in olive oil until soft. Scald the tomatoes, remove the skin, cut into cubes and add to the pan. Season with salt, pepper and dried oregano. Simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes.
Wash the zucchini, remove seeds and skin if necessary, cut into thin circles about 1 centimeter. Make 3 different bowls with separate flour, beaten egg and breadcrumbs.
Roll each circle of zucchini first in flour, then egg and breadcrumbs. Heat olive oil in a frying pan, fry zucchini slices on both sides until golden brown. This will keep them crispy in the casserole.
Heat the oven to 180°C. Place a small amount of tomato sauce on the bottom of an ovenproof dish, then place the zucchini slices in a single layer. Then repeat again - the rest of the sauce and the second layer of zucchini.
Sprinkle grated cheese on top or place it in large slices.
Cover the pan with foil. Place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. 10 minutes before the end, remove the foil to form a beautiful cheese crust. Cool slightly, cut into pieces and eat with pleasure!
I also recommend trying the dietary casserole with cauliflower and zucchini. The sweetness of the cabbage adds an interesting twist to the dish. Be sure to try it, especially in summer and autumn during vegetable season.
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Health benefits of zucchini
Zucchini is a frequent guest on the table of lovers of dietary dishes. The dietary product is valued because it is filled with various vitamins and is easily absorbed by the body.
Zucchini is especially valuable because it contains a large amount of vitamin C, which helps strengthen blood vessels, produce collagen, which preserves the youth of the skin, healthy bones and joints.
Ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system and prevents the spread of bacteria and various viruses. And the pectins contained in zucchini fight rotting and fermentation, cleanse the body of toxic substances and blood vessels from cholesterol, preventing the development of atherosclerosis.
Zucchini is especially useful for children and the elderly, as it fills the body with vitamins and also relieves constipation. For diabetes mellitus, they are practically irreplaceable, because they do not allow glucose levels to “jump.” And tartronic acid, which prevents the development of stenosis - a condition that is very dangerous in diabetes, helps people with diabetes to live peacefully.
Zucchini is included in the diet for pathologies:
- heart and blood vessels;
- Gastrointestinal tract;
- joints;
- kidney;
- weak immunity.
Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, should definitely include this vegetable in their menu. Few people eat this vegetable raw, but in the form of casseroles it is worth preparing many dishes from this unique garden medicine.
Delicious zucchini casserole with minced meat without flour
Zucchini is a healthy product that contains only 24 calories per 100 g. Using this recipe, you can make an amazing casserole with it by adding carrots and meat. If desired, you can cook with turkey or chicken breast.
For 8 servings you will need:
- 0.5 kg of minced meat from any meat;
- 2 onions;
- 2 large carrots;
- 100 g cheese;
- salt;
- 1 kg of zucchini;
- Olive oil, odorless.
Cut the onion into small cubes, and grate the carrots on a coarse grater. Fry the onion until translucent in a frying pan with a little oil. Add minced meat to it, add salt and fry for about 20 minutes.
Peel the zucchini and cut the pulp into medium cubes. Take another frying pan and fry the carrots. Add the zucchini to the carrots and simmer for about 7 minutes.
Mix minced meat and zucchini with carrots. Grease a baking dish and place the mixture with minced meat there. Sprinkle grated cheese on top and smooth with a spatula. Place in the oven for 20 minutes. A golden crust should appear. Enjoying a delicious dish
