Description
Hearty giant zucchini parmesan delivers rustic Italian comfort with layers of melted cheese and crispy breaded zucchini. Garden-fresh ingredients merge into a satisfying meal that brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 giant zucchini, sliced into 1/2-inch slices
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs (or gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta
- 6 tablespoons part-skim shredded mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
Cooking and Serving:
- Olive oil spray
- 1 cup warmed marinara sauce, plus 1/2 cup for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini by laying slices on a baking sheet and generously seasoning with salt and pepper. Allow the slices to rest for 10 minutes to extract excess moisture, then carefully blot dry with paper towels.
- Create two separate coating stations: whisk eggs in one shallow bowl and combine seasoned bread crumbs in another bowl.
- Carefully dredge each zucchini slice through the beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage, then thoroughly coat with bread crumbs, placing each slice back on the baking sheet.
- Lightly mist the breaded zucchini with olive oil spray, then transfer to a preheated 425°F oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure even browning and crisp texture.
- While zucchini bakes, blend ricotta, mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, and finely chopped parsley in a mixing bowl to create a creamy cheese mixture.
- Remove zucchini from oven and delicately spread a spoonful of the cheese blend across each slice. Top with a dollop of warmed marinara sauce.
- Return zucchini to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes, allowing cheese to melt and become luxuriously bubbly.
- Transfer to serving platter, garnish with fresh parsley, and accompany with extra marinara sauce for guests to enjoy.
Notes
- Eliminate moisture by salting zucchini slices to prevent soggy texture and ensure crispy coating.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version, maintaining the same delicious crunch.
- Choose low-fat cheese options to reduce calories without compromising flavor, perfect for health-conscious eaters.
- Experiment with different herbs like basil or oregano in the cheese mixture to customize the dish’s taste profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 90mg