The Anti-Inflammatory Loaded Zucchini & Squash Bake has a warm taste and rich flavors. We prepare this loaded casserole with fresh zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, turmeric powder, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, black pepper, sea salt, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley. There are approximately 185 calories per serving and about 11 g total carbs in this loaded casserole. We make this loaded casserole in just 50 minutes. The Anti-Inflammatory Loaded Zucchini & Squash Bake is perfect for healthy weeknight dinners, vegetarian meal prep, anti-inflammatory diets, gluten-free eating plans, and light comfort-food cravings. For later use, we can store this baked dish in the refrigerator for longer than four days, and it can also be frozen for more than two months. You can serve this loaded casserole with Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken, Garlic Butter Salmon, Quinoa Pilaf, Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs, or a fresh Greek Salad.
STATS:
- Course: Side Dish, Light Main
- Calories: 185
- Diet: Anti-Inflammatory
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Portion Size: 1 cup
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cooking Mode: Baking
TOOLS:
- Bowl
- Knife
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Large skillet
- Baking dish
- Oven
- Cutting board
INGREDIENTS:
VEGETABLES:
- 3 zucchini
- 1 onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 3 garlic pieces
- 3 yellow squash
SEASONINGS:
- Turmeric, one tsp.
- ½ tsp paprika
- One teaspoon of oregano
- 1 tsp basil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
OTHERS:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp parsley
INGREDIENT NOTES & SUBSTITUTIONS:
ZUCCHINI:
- Zucchini must be used since it will offer a moderate flavor and soft texture. As a replacement, you can use eggplant, chayote, or cucumber
YELLOW SQUASH:
- Use yellow squash, which gives natural sweetness and a soft texture. You can swap it with zucchini or butternut squash.
BELL PEPPER:
- We use bell pepper, which gives color and a vitamin-rich crunch. You can replace it with tomatoes or a poblano pepper.
ONION:
- Utilize onion to provide depth and savory flavor. We can switch it out with shallots or leeks.
GARLIC:
- We use garlic, which delivers a strong aroma and anti-inflammatory benefits. Utilize garlic powder (1 tsp) as your preference.
TURMERIC:
- Use turmeric to give anti-inflammatory properties and a warm color. It can be replaced with curry powder or ginger powder.
OLIVE OIL:
- We use olive oil, which has a smooth cooking texture and beneficial fats. As a further choice, you might use coconut oil.
CHEESE:
- Utilize cheese to provide a creamy and rich topping. As another option, we can use non-dairy cheese or nutritional yeast.
PARSLEY:
- We use parsley to give freshness and a light herbal flavor. You can alternate it with basil, cilantro, or dill.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat the empty oven to 375°F and coat a dish.
- In a skillet with gently heated olive oil, fry the onion slowly for nearly three minutes.
- Cook the bell pepper and garlic for about three minutes.
- Include the squash and zucchini.
- Garnish with pepper, turmeric, salt, oregano, paprika, and basil.
- Cook them for almost five minutes.
- Arrange the mixture in a dish and add the mozzarella & Parmesan cheese to the surface as a garnish.
- Bake till the texture is softer and golden, for almost thirty-five minutes.
- Serve this loaded casserole hot with parsley.
TIPS:
- We utilize fresh cheese, so it will melt perfectly.
- Make uniform slices of the veggies for uniform cooking.
- Before baking, avoid cooking it for an additional time.
- Include tofu, chicken, or beans to get protein.
- Cool this loaded casserole for almost 5 minutes and then serve.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
PROTEIN PAIRINGS:
- Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken
- Garlic Salmon Fillets
- Mediterranean Turkey Meatballs
- Herb-Roasted Shrimp
- Grilled Tofu Steaks
GRAIN PAIRINGS:
- Quinoa Pilaf
- Brown Rice
- Wild Rice Blend
- Farro Salad
- Cauliflower Rice
FRESH SIDE SALADS:
- Greek Cucumber
- Arugula Lemon
- Tomato Basil
- Avocado Spinach
- Mixed Greens
HEALTHY SAUCES & TOPPINGS:
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Basil Pesto
- Lemon Yogurt Sauce
- Avocado Herb Dressing
- Garlic Tahini Drizzle
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Put this loaded casserole in a closed box and stock it for just four days.
FREEZER:
- Store this loaded casserole for almost sixty days.
FAQs:
Could we prepare a complete meal?
- Yes, you can use tofu, chicken, or beans.
Will we prepare this loaded casserole dairy-free?
- Yes, you can utilize nutritional yeast or vegan cheese instead to make this loaded casserole non-dairy.
May we prepare this loaded casserole earlier?
- Yes, you can assemble this loaded casserole twenty-four hours earlier, as it freezes for only 60 days.
Why does my bake get watery?
- You can salt the veggies, completely dry them, and then bake to avoid a watery casserole.
NUTRITIONAL FACTS:
Calories: 185 kcal
Sodium: 310 mg
Net Carbs: 8 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 5 g
Fats: 12 g
Protein: 9 g
Total Carbs: 11 g
Serving Size: 1 cup
