Description
A simple and flavorful baked dish featuring tender zucchini and juicy cherry tomatoes, seasoned with garlic, dried herbs, and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a savory side or a light vegetarian main.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/2 inch thick quarters (1 and 1/2 lbs / 680 g; about 5 cups)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings & Oil
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt (plus additional to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cheese (Optional)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 °F (200 °C) to preheat, ensuring it’s hot enough to bake the vegetables perfectly.
- Prepare Vegetables: In a 7×11 inch or similar baking dish, combine the sliced zucchini quarters, cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, dried basil, dried parsley, olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss everything gently to mix the flavors evenly.
- Initial Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and the flavors to meld.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Remove the dish from the oven, stir the vegetables gently, then sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top if using.
- Final Bake: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the Parmesan is melted and golden, and the zucchini is tender. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can omit the Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free version.
- Use fresh herbs instead of dried if preferred; increase quantities slightly to retain flavor intensity.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar before baking.
- This dish pairs well with grilled meats, rice, or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
