Easy Family Dinner or Potluck Side Dish

This zucchini tomato casserole is one of the most delicious side dishes I’ve ever made. You can use as much cheese as you like. In fact, I generally add a little more, just because my husband and I enjoy it. Even though there’s quite a bit of cheese in this dish, the other flavors still come through.

Although you can make this recipe as-is, you can also add some protein. If I have leftover chicken, ground beef, or ham, I’m likely to add it to make a complete meal.

The balance of the meaty zucchini and acidic tomato hits the taste buds just right. I normally have most of the ingredients for this dish. This time, all I had to purchase was the zucchini. Since I almost always have large quantities of certain staples, like canned diced tomatoes and cheese, I can always come up with something yummy.

One of my favorite categories of dinners over the past 50 years of home cooking is the casserole. Here is a list of some of the best casseroles I make.

Ingredients

You only need a few ingredients for this flavorful dish. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Zucchini
• Tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Cheese (a couple of different types)
• Salt and pepper (optional)

Simple Directions

Season the zucchini and steam it until it’s tender. Test it with a fork to see if it’s done.

Next, drain the diced tomatoes and pour them into a mixing bowl.

After the zucchini is tender, drain it and add it to the tomatoes. Mix in half of one of the cheeses.

Pour the mixture into a casserole dish. Finally, top it with the rest of the cheese and bake it until the mixture bubbles and the cheese melts.

Options for Enhancing the Flavors Even More

The zucchini tomato casserole is just about perfect as is. However, if you want even more flavor, try adding some of these ingredients to the zucchini mixture before you add the final layer of cheese (before baking):

• Chopped jalapeño peppers
• Tablespoon of honey or maple syrup
• Cinnamon
• All spice
• Bacon crumbles
• Variety of cheeses

Don’t be afraid to experiment. If you think something sounds good, try it out in a small amount of the casserole first to make sure.

What to Serve with a Zucchini Tomato Casserole

The beauty of this delicious casserole is that it does with almost anything. Serve it with chicken, seafood, pork, or steak. It’s even good with holiday food, such as turkey or ham.

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