Zucchini and Cream Cheese Casserole Recipe
Zucchini and Cream Cheese Casserole
September 3, 2015 by Barb | Creative-Culinary.com 24 Comments
I’ve always grown my own zucchini for as long as I can remember but in the past couple of years I’ve cut way back on a big garden with veggies and now concentrate on growing a wide variety of herbs and some tomatoes in pots. That’s OK…it was getting to the point where at this time of year I did not want to see another zucchini!
My plan was foiled though when a neighbor brought me a bag of home grown zucchini, just fresh from her garden. I had already received two monster zucchini from another friend. Those I like to shred and freeze in two cup portions to use for zucchini bread in the winter; but for these perfect sized gifts I needed to reach no further than a tried and true recipe we have loved forever. Having a zucchini glut of your own? Try this easy side dish…perfect for a picnic too; it will be devoured, I promise.
The truth is that it’s sort of a plain Jane. There aren’t a lot of ingredients and it’s simple to put together; is it even worthy of sharing? Oh yeah…it’s that simplicity that helps to make it great; heck the topping of crumbs doesn’t even have any extra butter to bind them but you won’t mind. There is something magical about a sauce of butter, cream cheese and garlic that fits so perfectly with what is really a pretty bland little veggie; the crumb topping is a nice added texture. I had to stop testing it after eating half the dish (kidding) (no I’m not).
It can be hard to photograph a casserole dish. As much as I love this simple dish, it’s not particularly beautiful. So I did throw some fresh from my garden tomatoes into the photo for a bit of color. I am not regretting planting those Early Girl tomatoes one bit even if they did get a late start. I’ve planted nothing but cherry tomatoes since I started gardening in pots and this year thought I would try one more variety and I love the results; even with a late start they have been worth the wait. I must have picked a dozen last night…poor me I have to eat some with every meal. :)
Have a safe and fun filled Labor Day; I’ll be sitting here eating zucchini casserole, fresh corn, fresh tomatoes and fresh peaches and sobbing that summer is almost over. I won’t miss the heat but I sure will miss fresh fruits and veggies. Now I’m wishing I had planted some zucchini; I want more!
Serves 6
Zucchini and Cream Cheese Casserole topped with Butter Crackers
A unique and delicious casserole with zucchini, cream cheese and a butter cracker topping.
15 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
45 minTotal Time
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Ingredients
- 6-8 small zucchini
- 1 - 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese
- 3 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- Butter Crackers
Instructions
Cut unpeeled zucchini into thin slices and microwave until just tender and still crunchy; 3-4 minutes.
Drain thoroughly
Melt cheese and butter and mix with garlic powder and zucchini; season with salt and pepper.
Put in a baking dish and crumble crackers on top. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown.
6.6
http://www.creative-culinary.com/zucchini-and-cream-cheese/
Creative Culinary
This is the last post of our #SummerSoiree series for the Food Network featuring dishes perfect for a Labor Day get together. I’m having one; I’m actually hosting a baby shower on Sunday; we’re sort of hoping there won’t be a real labor day until after the party! Have a great weekend; enjoy some of these dishes from my friends!