Name: Zucchini Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 small onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 6 small zucchini, chopped (about 7 cups); 3 cups cubed bread; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

This comforting casserole is similar to a savory bread pudding, and the perfect way to use up a bumper crop of zucchini from the garden. It's wonderful as a summery side dish or as the main attraction for brunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter, divided

1 small onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

6 small zucchini, chopped (about 7 cups)

3 cups cubed bread

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

1 Saute the onions and garlic

2 Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the onions, cooking and stirring until tender, three to four minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute longer.

3 Mix in the other ingredients

4 Transfer the onion mixture to a large bowl and stir in the zucchini, bread, eggs, cream, 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese, the salt and pepper until combined. Transfer this mixture to a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Editor's Tip: Drain the squash to remove excess water, which will help prevent your casserole from becoming too mushy.

5 Top with cheese and bread crumbs

6 Top the casserole with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and the Parmesan. In a microwave, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Drizzle it over the bread crumbs and toss to coat, then sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.

7 Bake the casserole

8 Bake, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until the top is golden brown, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let the dish stand for 10 minutes before serving.