Embrace the goodness of vegetables with this delightful and nutritious vegetable casserole recipe! Bursting with vibrant colors, rich flavors, and wholesome ingredients, this dish proves that veggies can indeed be more delicious than meat. With a preparation time of just minutes, it’s the perfect go-to option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Let’s dive into creating this scrumptious and healthy meal that the whole family will love!
Ingredients:
- 2.2 lbs (about 35 oz) of zucchini
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- 2 long green peppers
- 2 red peppers
- 1 carrot
- 1 onion
For the sauce:
- 1 1/4 cups of milk
- 1 1/8 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 tablespoons of dill
- 1 sachet of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
For the filling:
- 3.5 oz of grated cheese, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it’s ready for baking later.
- Start by preparing the vegetables. Wash the zucchini, green peppers, red peppers, carrot, and onion under cold running water. Then, thinly slice the zucchini and dice the peppers, carrot, and onion.
- Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced vegetables (green peppers, red peppers, carrot, and onion) and sauté them until they are tender and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Once done, set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, prepare the sauce by combining the milk, all-purpose flour, olive oil, eggs, dill, baking powder, black pepper, and salt. Whisk the ingredients together until you have a smooth and creamy mixture.
- Grease a baking dish with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Layer the bottom of the dish with half of the sliced zucchini.
- Spread the sautéed vegetables evenly over the layer of zucchini in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the vegetables, reserving some for topping.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetables and cheese, ensuring they are well covered.
- Arrange the remaining sliced zucchini on top of the sauce layer, creating a final layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese over the top of the casserole for an extra cheesy finish.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown and bubbly, and the zucchini is tender.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve the delicious vegetable casserole hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy the wholesome flavors of this delightful dish!
Conclusion:
With its colorful array of vegetables, creamy sauce, and cheesy goodness, this quick and healthy vegetable casserole is a true delight for the taste buds. Packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor, it’s a perfect way to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and hearty. Whether you’re a veggie lover or looking to add more plant-based options to your diet, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. So, whip up a batch today and savor the goodness of this delightful vegetable casserole with every bite!