Ina Garten’s Zucchini Au Gratin Recipe: Cheesy Garden Magic

Zucchini au gratin transforms ordinary vegetables into a culinary masterpiece that sparkles with rustic elegance.

Summer gardens overflow with these tender green squash, waiting to become something truly magnificent.

French-inspired cooking techniques elevate this simple ingredient into a rich, creamy sensation.

Layers of delicate zucchini mingle with robust cheese, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Comfort food meets sophisticated cuisine in this delightful side dish that feels both familiar and extraordinary.

Golden-brown crusts promise a crispy exterior giving way to a silky, luxurious interior.

Cheese lovers and vegetable enthusiasts will find themselves falling head over heels for this decadent preparation: gather your ingredients and prepare for pure deliciousness!

Why Zucchini Au Gratin Is Surprisingly Satisfying

• Savor Slow-Cooked Flavor Depth: Ina Garten's recipe transforms humble zucchini through a patient 20-minute onion caramelization process, creating rich, luxurious undertones that elevate the entire dish.
• Creamy Comfort with Elegant Texture: The combination of hot milk, flour, and carefully cooked zucchini creates a velvety sauce that's simultaneously rustic and sophisticated, offering a smooth, indulgent mouthfeel.
• Cheesy Crunch Perfection: The gruyere and bread crumb topping delivers a delightful contrast to the soft vegetable base, providing a golden, crispy layer that adds exciting textural complexity and nutty flavor to each bite.
• Effortless Gourmet Elegance: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with straightforward cooking techniques, making it accessible for home cooks who want to create impressive side dishes without complicated methods.

Gather These Ingredients for Cheesy Veggie Magic

Main Ingredients:

• Zucchini: Fresh summer squash with mild flavor and creamy texture when cooked.
• Onions: Sweet base ingredient that provides depth and aromatic foundation for the dish.

• Butter: Rich dairy product for sautéing and adding luxurious flavor.
• Milk: Creamy liquid for creating smooth sauce base.
• Gruyere Cheese: Nutty Swiss cheese with excellent melting properties and rich taste.

• Salt: Essential seasoning to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle spiciness to the dish.
• Nutmeg: Warm, slightly sweet spice that complements zucchini beautifully.
• Flour: Thickening agent for creating smooth, velvety sauce.
• Bread Crumbs: Crunchy topping that provides textural contrast and golden-brown finish.

Bake Your Way to Bubbling Gratin Perfection

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.

Step 2: Caramelize Onions

In a large skillet, melt butter and slowly cook onions over low heat until they become soft and translucent, approximately 20 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Step 3: Cook Zucchini

• Pepper
• Salt
• Nutmeg

Cook for an additional 5 minutes, then sprinkle flour over the mixture and gently stir.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour hot milk into the skillet, stirring continuously over low heat until a smooth sauce develops.

Step 5: Transfer To Baking Dish

Carefully transfer the zucchini mixture into an 8×10-inch baking dish, spreading evenly.

Step 6: Add Cheesy Topping

Combine bread crumbs and Gruyere cheese, then sprinkle generously over the zucchini.

Step 7: Final Baking

Dot the top with small butter pieces. Bake for 20 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the edges bubble with cheesy goodness.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy this delightful vegetable side dish!

Tips for That Crispy, Creamy Finish

• Maximize Zucchini Texture: Cut slices precisely and uniformly to ensure each piece cooks evenly and maintains a tender, not mushy, consistency.
• Elevate Cheese Quality: Freshly grate Gruyere right before cooking to unlock its rich, nutty flavor and achieve a smoother, more luxurious melting texture.
• Season Strategically: Taste and adjust salt and pepper levels during preparation to enhance the natural sweetness of zucchini and complement the creamy cheese.
• Perfect Resting Technique: Allow the gratin to cool for 5-7 minutes after baking, which helps the sauce thicken and allows flavors to blend harmoniously.
• Slice Smart: Use a sharp mandoline or chef's knife to create consistent thin slices, promoting uniform cooking and an attractive presentation.

Store It Well, Reheat It Better

• Refrigerator Method: Seal cooled zucchini au gratin in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors. Position container on a middle shelf away from raw meats to maintain food safety.
• Freezer Method: Portion leftover dish into individual servings before freezing for easier reheating. Wrap each portion first in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn and protect flavor integrity.
• Reheating Method: Thaw frozen zucchini au gratin overnight in the refrigerator for best texture restoration. Warm in a preheated 350°F oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes until heated through, then uncover for the last 5 minutes to restore crispy cheese topping's original crunch.

Flavor Up—Try Gruyère, Nutmeg, or Garlic

• Mediterranean Herb Zucchini Gratin: Incorporate fresh chopped basil, oregano, and thyme into the zucchini mixture for a vibrant Mediterranean flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
• Spicy Jalapeño Cheese Version: Add diced jalapeños and swap Gruyere for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty, heat-packed variation that brings extra excitement to the traditional dish.
• Bacon and Cheddar Upgrade: Sprinkle crispy bacon bits throughout the zucchini layers and replace Gruyere with sharp cheddar cheese for a hearty, protein-rich alternative that adds depth and richness.
• Vegetarian Quinoa Boost: Mix cooked quinoa into the zucchini base for additional protein and texture, creating a more substantial side dish that works perfectly as a light main course.

A Cheesy Curtain Call for Zucchini Fans

Zucchini Au Gratin emerges as culinary poetry, weaving Ina Garten’s signature elegance into a comfort-laden dish.

Garden-fresh zucchini mingles with caramelized onions, creating layers of rich, creamy complexity.

Gruyere cheese adds nutty sophistication, while bread crumbs provide delightful textural contrast.

Subtle nutmeg whispers complexity through each incredible bite.

Mediterranean influences dance alongside classic French technique in this remarkable recipe.

Passionate cooks and zucchini enthusiasts will adore this masterpiece – so grab your skillet, sprinkle some love, and let deliciousness reign supreme: share this recipe, comment below, and spread kitchen magic with everyone you know!

Ina Garten Zucchini Au Gratin Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

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

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Description

Ina Garten’s zucchini au gratin brings Mediterranean comfort to classic cheese-baked vegetables. Creamy Gruyère and tender zucchini layers create a luxurious side dish that will make dinner guests swoon with delight.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds zucchini, sliced ¼-inch thick (4 zucchini)
• 1 pound yellow onions, cut in ½ and sliced (3 large)
• 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, plus extra for topping

Seasoning and Spices:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup hot milk
• ¾ cup fresh bread crumbs
• ¾ cup grated Gruyere

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. In a large 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) sauté pan, melt the butter over low heat and gently cook the onions until they become soft and translucent, approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
3. Add the zucchini to the pan and cook covered for 10 minutes until the vegetable reaches a tender consistency. Uncover and sprinkle in the pepper, salt, and nutmeg, then evenly incorporate the flour to create a light coating.
4. Gradually pour in the hot milk, stirring continuously, and simmer on low heat until a smooth, creamy sauce develops, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Transfer the entire zucchini mixture into an 8 by 10-inch (20 by 25.4 centimeters) baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
6. Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere cheese, then generously sprinkle the mixture over the zucchini preparation.
7. Dot the top with small butter pieces and place in the preheated oven, baking for 20 minutes until the surface turns golden brown and the edges become bubbly.

Notes

• Zucchini’s water content can make the dish soggy, so pat slices dry with paper towels before layering.
• Experiment with herb combinations like thyme, basil, or oregano to elevate the gratin’s aromatic profile.
• Preheating the baking dish helps create a crispy golden crust and prevents soggy bottom layers.
• Cheese can burn quickly, so cover with foil if browning too fast during the final baking minutes.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days, reheating gently to maintain texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg