Nothing makes me feel better then returning home after a few indulgent days of vacationing than a homemade meal. A quick stop at the farm stand on our way home from Atlantic City equipped me with some large fresh zucchini, vine ripen tomatoes and the biggest Vidala onion I've even seen! This is how I put the three together for a simple summer meal.
I was trying to keep it super lite but flavorful at the same time. If I was being a bit more free with my calories today I may have added a bit of mozzarella cheese in the layers. Maybe I'll make a version two in a few weeks, Cheesy Summer Veggie Bake! ;~P
This one was all for me. The husband wouldn't go near it with a 10 foot pole and the toddler wasn't home, although I'm thinking it might have been a bit intimidating for him. As I always say, more for me!
Ingredients
- 1 large zucchini cut into stripes longwise
- 3 large tomatoes sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (separate)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (separate)
- Kosher Salt & Pepper
- ½ large vidalia onion sliced thin
- ¼ cup Grapenuts Cereal (29g)
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese (5g)
- Non-Stick Cooking spray
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Spray a casserole dish with a bit of non-stick cooking spray. Place sliced zucchini on the bottom, top with tomatoes. Sprinkle tomatoes with a pinch of salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Lay onion pieces on top.
Start another layer off with the zucchini, then tomatoes, spices, onion. Repeat. You should have 3 layers.
In a blender or food processor pulse the cereal, cheese and remaining spices until blended. You don't want to pulverize it just blended well with some small chunks for an added crunch.
Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the cereal mixture and spray with a a bit of non-stick cooking spray.
Bake for about 50 minutes. Turn on Broiler on for the last 2-3 minute to get a crunchier top!
Here's some progression photos, layer one, before and after cooking.
I'm listing the nutritional information for 4 servings although I ate 2 in a row. What can I say, it was good! With cheese, I'm sure even better. ;~P
📖 Recipe
Summer Veggie Bake
Ingredients
- 1 large zucchini cut into stripes longwise
- 3 large tomatoes sliced thin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder separate
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning separate
- Kosher Salt & Pepper
- ½ large vidalia onion sliced thin
- ¼ cup Grapenuts Cereal 29g
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese 5g
- Non-Stick Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Spray a casserole dish with a bit of non-stick cooking spray. Place sliced zucchini on the bottom, top with tomatoes. Sprinkle tomatoes with a pinch of salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Lay onion pieces on top.1 large zucchini cut into stripes longwise, 3 large tomatoes sliced thin, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, Kosher Salt & Pepper, ½ large vidalia onion sliced thin
- Start another layer off with the zucchini, then tomatoes, spices, onion. Repeat. You should have 3 layers.
- In a blender or food processor pulse the cereal, cheese and remaining spices until blended. You don't want to pulverize it just blended well with some small chunks for an added crunch.¼ cup Grapenuts Cereal, 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the cereal mixture and spray with a a bit of non-stick cooking spray.Non-Stick Cooking spray
- Bake for about 50 minutes. Turn on Broiler on for the last 2-3 minute to get a crunchier top!
Nikki
Roni,
I tried this dish today with a couple variations, I don't like tomatoes so I substituted Eggplant and added green peppers to the mix. I also added a small drizzle of organic pasta sauce between the repeated layers for added flavor and I loved it. I also agree with Amy it was even better reheated later in the microwave. Thanks for this awesome Idea!
~Nikki
amy
Roni,
I tried this dish last night, and it was delicious! Served it alongside some healthy chicken parm.
I brought leftovers for lunch, and it was even better today after re-heating in the microwave!
🙂 amy
Lisa
This was wonderful. I put a piece of chicken with it and was FULL! Which says a lot.
Kim
I made this last night, added eggplant and used bran flakes instead of grape nuts because that is what I had at home 🙂
Turned out very good. I will make again, no doubt.
joni
Made this one last night too (and bluberry/peach crisp). I added some mozarella (about 1/2 c. adding 4 WW points). That added a point to each serving but it was worth it and very yummy! I threw in one crooked neck yellow squash too. Another great recipe Roni. Way to go!
runjess
This looks great and I will probably be making it...with lots of cheese.
Bonnie
Yummmmm Roni! I made this last night, and it is delicious! Thanks a bunch!
roni
Thanks guys
Sagan - Ummmm any summer squash, eggpplant. You could even layer tomatoes
with baby spinach!
Tammy
My husbands Italian family makes somethng similar to this. they call it "cagoots." That is a phonetic spelling as I can no way spell it correctly. LOL They also add sweet banana peppers to the dish. I've also roasted it on the grill in foil packet. Anyway you make it...yummy! I like the idea of mozzarella. I'm a cheesy girl myself.
French
Sagan: I'm not Roni but I say you could just omit the zucchini altogether if you wanted. Double up your tomatoes. Or maybe try eggplant in place of zucchini.
Alle
Mmmmmm, that looks SOOO good! I'm definitely going to try that with maybe some couscous for a light lunch. With a piece of chicken on the grill it sounds great too. Thanks for the great idea!
dd
It's going on the dinner menu tonight!
I inadvertently bought zucchini the other day when I already had some...now there's way too much in our fridge. This is the perfect solution!
Peggy
This sounds fabulous!! I've become addicted to zucchini and was looking for a new healthy recipe! I'm definitely trying this over the weekend.
Sagan
I must admit, I've never been able to bring myself to like zucchini. Do you think there's some other vegetables that could be subbed in for the zucchini?