Discover the Joy of Layered Zucchini Ricotta Melts Today! Recipe
This Layered Zucchini Ricotta Melt is a delightful and easy-to-make vegetarian dish featuring tender zucchini slices layered with creamy ricotta, bubbling mozzarella, and flavorful marinara sauce. Baked to perfection with a sprinkle of dried oregano, it’s a perfect warm appetizer or light meal that showcases fresh, wholesome ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced lengthwise
Dairy
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the zucchini melts evenly.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and facilitate easy serving after baking.
- Layer Zucchini: Arrange half of the zucchini slices in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, spreading them out evenly to form the base layer.
- Spread Ricotta: Evenly spread half of the ricotta cheese over the zucchini layer, ensuring a smooth and creamy covering.
- Add Marinara and Mozzarella: Spoon half of the marinara sauce over the ricotta layer, followed by sprinkling half of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process with the remaining zucchini slices, ricotta, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese to build a layered casserole.
- Season: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of dried oregano evenly over the top to add aromatic herb flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the zucchini is tender and the cheese on top is melted, golden, and bubbly. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a different cheese flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the marinara sauce is certified gluten-free.
- Add fresh basil or parsley on top after baking for added freshness and color.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow layers to set for easier slicing.
- This recipe makes a great side dish or light vegetarian main course.
Keywords: Zucchini ricotta bake, vegetarian zucchini dish, layered zucchini casserole, baked zucchini with cheese, Italian vegetarian recipe
