Cheesy Baked Courgettes Recipes

CHEESY COURGETTE AND TOMATO BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°c (160 fan/ Gas 4/ 350F). Heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the onions and garlic until soft. This should take 3-4 minutes over a medium heat.
• Add the chopped courgettes and dried Italian herbs (and smoked paprika if using), and continue to fry until the courgettes become tender.
• Pour in the chopped tomatoes, sugar, red pesto (if using) and salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the courgette and tomato mixture to a baking dish.
• Lay over the mozzarella and tomato slices.
• Top with the grated cheese, more dried Italian herbs, and breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

CHEESY BAKED COURGETTES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Use a teaspoon to scoop the seeds from the middle of each courgette half, then place them in a large baking tray.
• Mix together the ricotta, zest, chilli and herbs, and season with salt and pepper. Pile the stuffing into the courgettes and top with breadcrumbs. Bake for 35 mins until the courgettes are tender and the topping is golden and crisp.

CHEESY COURGETTE BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6. Place a baking tray in the oven to preheat.
• Wash and dry the courgettes and tomato. Slice the courgette lengthwise. If the courgette is quite thick slice it in 3, otherwise just cut it in 2 halves. Slice the tomato.
• Remove the tray from the oven and brush with a little olive oil. Place the courgette slices in the tin. Top with the cheese (you can slice or grate it) and the sliced tomato. Add the mustard and the chopped herbs to the remaining olive oil and dot over the top.
• Place in the preheated oven for 30 minutes (depending on the oven) or until the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown. Serve warm or hot. Any leftovers can be stored in a cover dish in the fridge and added to an omelette later.

BAKED COURGETTE & TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Sprinkle the courgettes with a pinch of sea salt flakes and lay them on a plate with another plate on top. Put a weight or tin on top to help push out the liquid.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick frying pan and add the tomatoes and garlic. Cook over a medium heat, stirring, for 5 mins until thickened. Tear in the basil, if using, and season.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and oil a roasting dish. Combine the flours in a bowl. Pour away the water from the courgette. Dip the courgette slices into the egg, then into the flour, and arrange in a layer over the bottom of the dish. Top with a few slices of mozzarella, followed by a layer of the tomato sauce, and repeat with another layer of courgette, mozzarella and sauce. Toss the cheese and breadcrumbs together, then scatter over the top.
• Drizzle with a little more olive oil, and bake for 40-45 mins until golden and bubbling. Serve with a herby red onion salad and some bread to mop it up, if you like. Can be frozen for up to two months.