The Best Jamie Oliver Courgette Gratin Recipe You’ll Love

Courgette gratin transforms humble garden vegetables into a luxurious culinary experience that sparkles with rustic charm and delightful textures.

Creamy, golden-edged vegetable dishes like this gratin elevate simple ingredients through careful preparation and smart seasoning techniques.

Rich dairy elements merge beautifully with tender sliced vegetables, creating a sumptuous side that feels both comforting and sophisticated.

Skilled home cooks understand how strategic layering and precise temperature control can turn ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques bring depth and complexity to this classic vegetable preparation, showcasing the natural sweetness of summer produce.

Subtle herbal notes and melted cheese create a harmonious blend that tantalizes taste buds and warms the soul.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey through carefully balanced flavors and elegant simplicity: prepare to be delighted.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Courgette Gratin Feels So Satisfying

• Savor Veggie Elegance: Jamie Oliver's courgette gratin transforms humble zucchini into a sophisticated, creamy dish that elevates simple vegetables to gourmet status with minimal effort.
• Embrace Effortless Cooking: This recipe requires just one pan and an oven, making it perfect for home cooks who want delicious results without complicated techniques or extensive kitchen skills.
• Experience Layered Flavor Harmony: The combination of fresh thyme, basil, crème fraîche, and melted cheese creates a rich, aromatic side dish that balances creamy textures with herb-infused notes, making every bite a delightful sensory experience.
• Enjoy Quick Weeknight Wonder: With only 35 minutes total cooking time, this gratin becomes an ideal solution for busy individuals seeking a nutritious, satisfying meal that looks and tastes like it took hours to prepare.

Core Elements for Jamie Oliver Courgette Gratin

Main Ingredients:

Courgettes: Fresh, tender summer squash that forms the base of the dish, best when young and small for optimal flavor and texture.

Olive Oil: Key for sautéing courgettes and adding rich, smooth flavor to the base.

Thyme, Basil: Fresh herbs that provide aromatic depth and complement the courgettes’ mild taste.

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

Crème Fraîche: Creamy, rich ingredient that creates a luxurious sauce and helps bind the gratin.

Milk: Helps thin the sauce and create a smoother consistency.

Flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, ensuring proper texture.

Cheese: Provides a golden, crispy topping and adds a salty, tangy flavor to the dish.

Seasoning Ingredients:

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish and helps season the courgettes and sauce.

Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complements the other ingredients’ flavors.

Easy Path to a Creamy Courgette Gratin

Step 1: Warm Up The Cooking Space

Crank your oven to 200°C (400°F) for standard ovens or 180°C (350°F) for fan ovens. Make sure your oven rack is in the middle position for even cooking.

Step 2: Sizzle The Courgettes

• Sliced courgettes
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Chopped basil
• Pinch of salt
• Cracked black pepper

Cook with a lid on for 10 minutes, letting the vegetables soften without turning them into mush.

Step 3: Transfer To Baking Vessel

Carefully shift the aromatic courgette mixture into an oven-safe dish, spreading them evenly across the surface.

Step 4: Craft The Creamy Drizzle

• Smooth crème fraîche
• Whole milk
• Flour
• Subtle seasoning of salt

Pour this silky mixture over the courgettes, allowing it to seep between the vegetable layers.

Step 5: Crown With Cheese And Bake

Generously sprinkle grated cheese across the top. Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and starts bubbling with delicious promise.

Pro Tips for a Great Zucchini Gratin

• Elevate with Complementary Pairings: Match the gratin with roasted meats or serve as a standalone vegetarian dish alongside a crisp, zesty salad.
• Experiment Boldly: Introduce unexpected ingredients like garlic, nutmeg, or swap courgettes with alternative summer vegetables for a surprising flavor profile.
• Prepare Strategically: Assemble the dish in advance, refrigerate, and bake moments before serving for maximum convenience and minimal last-minute stress.
• Enjoy Immediately: Savor the gratin straight from the oven when cheese transforms into a molten, bubbling golden blanket.
• Prevent Burning: Shield the top with foil if cheese starts browning too aggressively during baking.

Keeping Jamie Oliver’s Courgette Gratin Fresh

• Refrigeration Haven: Seal the courgette gratin in an airtight glass container to lock in its rich, creamy goodness. Glass containers prevent flavor transfer and keep the dish tasting fresh and vibrant. Consume within 48 hours for the best taste and texture experience.
• Freezer Preservation: Carefully wrap the gratin in heavy-duty aluminum foil, ensuring no air pockets remain. Transfer to a freezer-safe ziplock bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label with the date and contents for easy tracking. Frozen gratins maintain their delectable quality for up to 4 weeks.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for optimal moisture retention. Revive the dish's crispy top by placing it in a preheated oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.

Fun Spins on Courgette Gratin

• Spicy Mediterranean Courgette Bake: Add chili flakes and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the courgette mixture for a fiery Mediterranean flavor. Swap crème fraîche with Greek yogurt and use feta cheese instead of regular cheese for an authentic Greek touch.
• Herbal Garden Gratin: Experiment with fresh herbs like rosemary, oregano, and parsley. Replace milk with vegetable broth for deeper flavor. Incorporate spinach or kale alongside courgettes to boost nutritional value and create a more complex vegetable profile.
• Vegan Vegetable Gratin: Use coconut milk instead of dairy and nutritional yeast in place of cheese. Add roasted cashews on top for crunch and protein. Include nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without actual cheese, making it completely plant-based and suitable for vegan diets.
• Protein-Packed Courgette Casserole: Mix in cooked quinoa or lentils to increase protein content. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking for extra texture. Include diced chicken or tofu for additional protein if desired, transforming the dish into a more substantial meal.

Looking Back at Jamie Oliver Courgette Gratin

Jamie Oliver’s Courgette Gratin emerges as Mediterranean magic on plates worldwide.

Summer vegetables dance with creamy indulgence in this simple yet sophisticated side dish.

French culinary techniques shine through each golden-edged slice of zucchini.

Herbal whispers of thyme and basil elevate humble ingredients into gourmet territory.

Mediterranean comfort arrives effortlessly, bridging home cooking with restaurant-quality elegance.

Kitchen adventurers: craving deliciousness calls for sharing this recipe, hitting that like button, and spreading culinary joy with fellow passionate cooks!

Jamie Oliver Courgette Gratin Recipe

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4.5 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy and comforting, Jamie Oliver’s courgette gratin brings Mediterranean warmth to your kitchen. Layers of zucchini, herbs, and rich cheese create a delightful side dish that invites you to savor its delicious simplicity.

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Ingredients

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main ingredients:

• 800 grams (28.2 ounces) courgettes, sliced
• 75 grams (2.6 ounces) gruyère cheese, grated

dairy ingredients:

• 100 milliliters (3.4 fluid ounces) crème fraîche
• 50 milliliters (1.7 fluid ounces) milk
• 1 teaspoon flour

seasonings and additional ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Some thyme leaves
• Some basil leaves
• Salt
• Pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 200°C (392°F) or 180°C (356°F) for convection settings, ensuring the rack is positioned in the middle for even heat distribution.
2. Select a large skillet and drizzle olive oil, creating a light coating across the bottom of the pan over medium heat.
3. Slice courgettes into uniform thin rounds, then gently place them into the heated skillet alongside fresh thyme leaves and chopped basil.
4. Season the courgettes with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, stirring gently to ensure even coating and prevent sticking.
5. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and allow the vegetables to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and promote even cooking.
6. Transfer the softened courgettes to a prepared oven-safe ceramic or glass baking dish, spreading them in a single layer for consistent heat exposure.
7. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together crème fraîche, whole milk, and all-purpose flour until the mixture becomes smooth and free of lumps.
8. Carefully pour the creamy sauce over the courgettes, ensuring partial coverage which will create a rustic, textured finish during baking.
9. Generously sprinkle grated cheese across the top, selecting a blend that melts easily and provides rich, golden color.
10. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling edges indicating perfect doneness.

Notes

• Capture summer’s essence with a luxurious zucchini transformation that elevates simple vegetables into a gourmet experience.
• Master moisture control by pre-cooking courgettes, ensuring a concentrated flavor and preventing watery disappointment.
• Craft a creamy sauce using crème fraîche and flour, creating a silky texture that hugs each vegetable slice perfectly.
• Layer fresh herbs like thyme and basil to infuse depth and complexity into every delectable bite of the gratin.
• Build a golden, crispy cheese topping that provides stunning contrast to the tender, herb-laden vegetables beneath.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 246 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg