Description
This Baked Italian Zucchini Parmesan is a flavorful and crispy vegetarian dish featuring breaded zucchini slices baked to golden perfection, layered with marinara sauce and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. It’s a lighter twist on the classic comfort food, perfect as a hearty appetizer or a main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Coating
- 3 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray (for coating)
Layers
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Arrange the flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs (mixed with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper) in three separate shallow bowls.
- Coat Zucchini: Dredge each zucchini slice in flour, shaking off excess. Dip them into the eggs, letting excess drip off. Then coat with the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they stick. Place coated slices on prepared baking sheets.
- Apply Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray the tops of zucchini slices with olive oil to promote browning and crispiness.
- Bake Zucchini: Bake the zucchini slices for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should be golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Spoon a thin layer of marinara sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer Ingredients: Arrange a layer of baked zucchini slices over the sauce, spoon some marinara on top, then sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and cheese on top.
- Bake Assembled Dish: Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, make sure to flip the zucchini slices halfway through the initial baking.
- Using fresh, high-quality marinara sauce will enhance the overall flavor.
- Fresh basil makes an excellent garnish but can be omitted if unavailable.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and baked right before serving for convenience.
