Ina Garten’s Zucchini Au Gratin Recipe: Cheesy Veggie Bliss

Summers burst with garden-fresh abundance, and this zucchini au gratin recipe by Ina Garten delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Layers of tender zucchini mingle with rich, creamy cheese in a delightful culinary embrace.

Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, this dish brings elegant simplicity to your dinner table.

The combination of fresh vegetables and decadent dairy creates a side that steals the spotlight from any main course.

Each bite promises a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Garten’s recipe turns ordinary zucchini into an extraordinary experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You’ll want to savor every creamy, cheesy morsel of this irresistible vegetable masterpiece.

Cooking Method for Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin

• Onion Preparation

Gently melt butter in a large saute pan and slowly cook onions over low heat, allowing them to become soft and translucent without browning, which takes around 20 minutes.

• Zucchini Transformation

Add zucchini to the pan, covering and cooking for 10 minutes until tender. Remove lid, sprinkle in seasonings like pepper, salt, and nutmeg, then softly incorporate flour to create a light coating.

• Sauce Creation

Pour hot milk into the vegetable mixture, stirring carefully to develop a smooth, creamy sauce. Transfer the entire blend into a rectangular baking dish.

• Cheesy Topping

Generously scatter a delightful mixture of crispy bread crumbs and rich Gruyere cheese over the vegetable base. Dot small butter pieces across the surface for extra richness.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the dish into a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until the top turns golden brown and the edges bubble with delicious promise, approximately 20 minutes.

Alternate Ideas for Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin Flavor

• Cut zucchini uniformly to ensure even cooking and a professional-looking dish. Aim for thin, consistent slices around 1/4-inch thick.
• Replace Gruyere with sharp cheddar, fontina, or parmesan for different flavor profiles. Each cheese brings a unique taste and texture to the gratin.
• Mix panko breadcrumbs with regular breadcrumbs for extra crispy topping. Add dried herbs like thyme or oregano to breadcrumb mixture for more depth.
• Incorporate thinly sliced yellow squash or mix in diced bell peppers for colorful variety. These additions enhance nutritional value and visual appeal.
• Prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to ensure even heating.

How to Serve Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin with Meals

• Savor Delightful Pairings: Elevate your zucchini au gratin experience with these mouthwatering suggestions.
• Serve Alongside Protein: Complement the creamy dish with roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or sliced beef tenderloin for a complete meal that satisfies every taste bud.
• Create Mediterranean Feast: Pair the gratin with a crisp Greek salad, crusty artisan bread, and a glass of chilled white wine to transport your dining experience to the sunny Mediterranean coast.
• Brunch Brilliance: Transform this recipe into a stunning weekend brunch centerpiece by serving it with poached eggs, crispy bacon, and fresh herb garnish for an elegant morning spread.

How to Store Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin Without Drying Out

• Storing Zucchini Au Gratin Wisely
• Refrigerate Promptly: Cool the dish completely before storing in an airtight container, which keeps the gratin fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Reheat with Care: Warm the dish in a preheated 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to prevent excessive browning and maintain moisture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap the unbaked gratin tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Prep in Advance: Assemble the dish a day ahead and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together before baking for an even more delicious meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 230 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredient Details for Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin

• Zucchini: Fresh, firm vegetables that provide the creamy, tender foundation of the dish with a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
• Onions: Adds depth and subtle sweetness, forming a flavor-packed base that elevates the entire casserole.

• Salt: Enhances overall taste and brings out the natural flavors of zucchini and onions.
• Pepper: Introduces a gentle warmth and complexity to the dish.
• Nutmeg: Adds a sophisticated, slightly sweet aromatic touch that complements the vegetable's earthiness.
• Flour: Creates a smooth, velvety texture and helps thicken the sauce.

• Butter: Provides luxurious richness and helps create a golden, crispy surface.
• Milk: Ensures a creamy, silky sauce that binds all ingredients together.
• Gruyere Cheese: Delivers a nutty, complex flavor with exceptional melting qualities.
• Bread Crumbs: Contributes a delightful crunch and golden-brown topping that adds textural contrast.

Equipment to Make Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin Perfectly

• Large Saute Pan (12-inch): Essential for sautéing onions and zucchini with precise control over heat.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients smoothly and preventing burning.
• 8×10-inch Baking Dish: Ideal for preparing and baking the zucchini gratin.
• Cutting Board: Necessary for preparing and chopping vegetables.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precisely cutting onions and zucchini.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Cheese Grater: Helpful for grating Gruyere cheese evenly.

Succulent Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s zucchini au gratin combines creamy Gruyère cheese with tender zucchini slices in a luxurious French-inspired side dish. Cheese lovers will savor this rich, comforting recipe that elevates garden vegetables with elegant simplicity.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) zucchini, sliced ¼-inch thick (4 zucchini)
• 1 lb (454 g) yellow onions, cut in ½ and sliced (3 large)
• ¾ cup grated Gruyere
• ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs
• 6 tbsps (¾ stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for topping
• 1 cup hot milk
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps kosher salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 400°F with rack positioned centrally, creating an ideal heat environment for the gratin.
2. Caramelizing Aromatics: Gently melt butter in a large sauté pan, slowly transforming onions into a soft, translucent foundation through patient cooking, stirring intermittently to prevent scorching.
3. Vegetable Integration: Introduce zucchini to the pan, covering and allowing it to tenderize while infusing with subtle onion essence. Uncover and season with pepper, salt, and nutmeg, then dust lightly with flour to create a delicate binding layer.
4. Sauce Formation: Stream hot milk into the vegetable mixture, whisking continuously to develop a luxurious, velvety sauce that coats the ingredients with creamy sophistication.
5. Baking Composition: Elegantly transfer the zucchini mixture into a baking dish, ensuring an even distribution that promises uniform cooking and flavor intensity.
6. Crisp Topping: Blend bread crumbs and Gruyere cheese, generously dispersing the mixture across the surface to create a golden, crisp crown that adds textural contrast.
7. Final Baking: Embellish with strategic butter dots and bake until the surface transforms into a bronzed, bubbling masterpiece, signaling the gratin’s perfect completion.

Notes

• Select Fresh Zucchini: Choose firm, small to medium-sized zucchini without blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
• Master Low-Heat Technique: Cook onions slowly to develop deep, sweet caramelization without burning, which enhances overall dish richness.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Cover zucchini initially to steam, then uncover to allow excess liquid to evaporate, preventing a watery gratin.
• Cheese and Breadcrumb Topping: Ensure even distribution of Gruyere and breadcrumbs for a perfectly crispy, golden-brown crust that adds delightful crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg