Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata
Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata is a tasty breakfast casserole or zucchini side dish made with those giant zucchinis that show up in the garden, but you can use regular-sized zucchini as well!
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This Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata is a beloved zucchini recipe that I’m updating with better photos, and I couldn’t resist making the recipe just a bit more cheesy for the updated version. Of course I can’t see you through the computer, so use more or less cheese, whichever you prefer.
The old recipe also used to say “monster zucchini” in the title, and through the years I realized that people who haven’t grown zucchini themselves may wonder if monster zucchini is a new zucchini variety! Of course anyone who’s had a garden knows about those monster zucchini that hide under the leaves, and this recipe was a great way to use them by cutting the zucchini into lengthwise strips, scraping off the seeds, and then cutting the long pieces into short slices. If you use that method you can get away with making this with one really huge zucchini. Of course you can make it with regular-sized zucchini from the grocery store too!
This is another recipe I made when I had friends volunteering as recipe testers, and it was a big hit with everyone who tried it! Zucchini and Basil Strata has eggs and is delicious as a breakfast casserole, but I also think the combination of zucchini+basil+cheese (that’s so popular in my Low-Carb Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake) makes this perfect as a zucchini side dish as well. This dish is something I’ve been enjoying for years, and even though my new garden doesn’t have room for zucchini, I’d happily buy zucchini at the Farmers Market or store to make this tasty dish.
How to Make Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata:
(This is just a summary of the steps shown in the photos above; scroll down for the complete recipe.)
- Whether you use one monster zucchini or several average-sized ones, the process of preparing them is mostly the same.
- If you have a monster zucchini, start by cutting the zucchini in half crosswise to get two manageable size pieces. (You can skip this step for smaller zucchini.)
- Then trim off the ends and cut each zucchini (or each half of the monster zucchini) lengthwise into fourths (or sixths for a monster zucchini if it’s really enormous.)
- Cut away the seeds on each piece, leaving about 3/8 inch of the white flesh.
- Then cut the strips into slices.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Then add the zucchini and cook 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Spike Seasoning (affiliate link) (or any all-purpose seasoning of your choice) and chopped basil and cook for 2-3 minutes more.
- Season with salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste. (The zucchini will be barely starting to soften.)
- Spray a 9″ x 12″ casserole dish with olive oil or non-stick spray and then arrange the zucchini, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack Cheese in a single layer. (Don’t use a smaller dish; you want the zucchini peeking above the egg/cheese mixture just a little.)
- Beat the eggs with the 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan.
- Pour eggs over the zucchini and sprinkle with the other 1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan. (I can be finicky, so I use a fork to get the zucchini evenly arranged in the dish!)
- Bake 30-35 minutes or until the mixture is well set and lightly browned on top.
- Serve hot! This is great to make on the weekend and reheat during the week for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
More Interesting Ideas with Zucchini:
The BEST Slow Cooker Zucchini Recipes ~ Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker
Meat, Tomato, and Mozzarella Stuffed Zuchini Cups
Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices
Val’s Kid Friendly Broiled Zucchini with Mozzarella and Pepperoni
Roasted Zucchini with Green Onions, Feta Cheese, and Basil
Weekend Food Prep:
This recipe has been added to a category called Weekend Food Prep to help you find recipes you can prep or cook on the weekend and eat during the week!
This Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata is a tasty casserole or side dish made with zucchini, and you can even use those monster zucchinis that show up in your garden! If you use small or medium zucchini you need about 6 cups sliced zucchini strips. The flavors in this dish are similar to Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake, which might have been the recipe that inspired it, but I've been making this so long I can't remember for sure. Recipe created by Kalyn. Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.
Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 234Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 258mgSodium: 457mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 16g
South Beach Diet / Low-Carb Diet Suggestions:
Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata would be a good side dish or main dish for any type of low-glycemic or low-carb eating plan. This updated version with more cheese may be a bit high in fat for the South Beach Diet, which would recommend low-fat cheese, but use less cheese if you prefer. As a main dish, I’d happily eat this for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use Zucchini Recipes for more recipes like this one. Use the Recipes by Diet Type photo index pages to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to Follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
37 Comments on “Cheesy Low-Carb Zucchini and Basil Strata”
I made this last night. I used 3 larger than normal zucchinis to fill the pan.
It was very tasty and we have a lot of leftovers.
Thanks for the recipe!
Yaay, so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Yum. I subbed part egg whites, added marinated artichoke hearts (had them opened in the fridge), and subbed a bit of cheddar for Monterey Jack (because I didn’t have that in the fridge). I think if you took the basil out you could add jalepenos, green onions and pepper jack, or feta and sun dried tomatoes and olives. So many options. Yum.
Glad you enjoyed!
Delicious side dish! Loved it and will make it many times again.
Much better than the zucchini lasagna I had been making.
Much easier too!
So glad you enjoyed! It was a hit with the recipe testers.
I love a great casserole. We always have so much zucchini, its nice have different recipes that will change it up!
Thanks Karly! Glad you like it!
Just made this for breakfast, and as usual, another winner from Kalyn! I didn’t have a ‘monster’ zucchini, so I tried it with 2 medium ones. Bu I don’t think that was enough. Next time I’d use 3 mediums or 4 small. I also used the Italian blend cheese mix because I had it on hand, and it worked perfectly.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks for the nice feedback.
Hi there,
This Raushan from India. By profession I am a developer but I am passionate about cooking. So, in my free time I explore food websites like your and get the best food recipes and try to make them. Sometimes I succeed and cook tasty food and sometimes all messed up. :p I also, run a small online cake shop and when I a new cake recipe I add it to my kitchen and menu list.
Thanks you for sharing your good recipes with us.
What very nice from your blog is I can print all the recipe I need. Thank you for your hard work, I’m sure it helps many Mom in the world.
It made me smile that you referred to a 26-18 zucchini as monster. I recently picked one that had hidden out until it resembled my left thigh!!! (well, my thigh isn't usually green~) To me, a monster zucchini has to be peeled and cored because both are too tough to be pleasant. I either stuff those with meatloaf or I grind them up and make zucchini relish.
I like them best when they're on the small side, so anything over 12 inches is starting to seem "too big" to me!
Thanks Melissa!
I used this in my September Real Food Meal Plan. Thanks!
I have zucchini coming out of my ears- this is a great recipe!