Description
Creamy zucchini parmesan delights Italian cuisine enthusiasts with its rich, layered flavors. Home cooks can easily craft this comforting dish that brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced 0.25 in (0.64 cm) rounds
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or panko for extra crunch)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 200C (400F), creating an optimal roasting environment for zucchini transformation.
- Coating Creation: Craft a flavor-packed breading mixture by blending breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow vessel.
- Egg Dipping: Whisk eggs to form a golden adhesive for the breading ritual, then immerse each zucchini slice, ensuring complete egg coverage.
- Breading Process: Roll the egg-drenched zucchini through the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to create a robust, crispy armor.
- Initial Roasting: Arrange the breaded zucchini on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a strategic single layer, then roast for 15 minutes, flipping midway to achieve uniform golden perfection.
- Layering Foundation: Spread a delicate marinara base in a baking dish, then meticulously construct alternating layers of crispy zucchini, vibrant sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Final Bake: Crown the dish with a lavish blanket of cheese, then return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbling, golden canvas.
- Serving Finale: Adorn with fresh basil leaves and present the zucchini Parmesan as a tantalizing centerpiece, complemented by pasta, garlic bread, or a crisp salad.
Notes
- Slice Evenly: Cut zucchini uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and crispy texture throughout the dish.
- Drain Moisture: Pat zucchini slices dry with paper towels to remove excess water, preventing soggy breading and promoting better crispiness.
- Adjust Seasonings: Customize breadcrumb mixture with preferred herbs or spices like smoked paprika or red pepper flakes for extra flavor depth.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers for dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg