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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- 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.
- 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.
- Gradually pour in the hot milk, stirring continuously, and simmer on low heat until a smooth, creamy sauce develops, about 3-4 minutes.
- Transfer the entire zucchini mixture into an 8 by 10-inch (20 by 25.4 centimeters) baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere cheese, then generously sprinkle the mixture over the zucchini preparation.
- 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