Creamy vegan cheesy zucchini bake made with tender zucchini and dairy-free cheese. An easy plant-based casserole perfect for dinner.
🧾 Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup unsweetened plant milk
- ¾ cup raw cashews (soaked or boiled)
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp turmeric (optional)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs or crushed crackers (optional topping)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ First, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
2️⃣ Next, blend cashews, plant milk, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, paprika, and turmeric until smooth and creamy.
3️⃣ Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft.
4️⃣ Then, add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
5️⃣ After that, layer zucchini slices in the baking dish. Pour the cashew cheese sauce evenly over the top.
6️⃣ Next, sprinkle breadcrumbs if using.
7️⃣ Finally, bake for 30–35 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden. Let rest before serving.
💡 Tips & Variations
- For extra cheesiness, add more nutritional yeast.
- Alternatively, use vegan shredded cheese.
- For protein, add white beans or chickpeas.
- Additionally, add mushrooms or spinach.
- Lastly, broil for 3 minutes for a crispy topping.
🌟 Benefits of Vegan Cheesy Zucchini Bake
First, zucchini is low in calories.
Moreover, cashews provide healthy fats.
Additionally, this dish is dairy-free.
Furthermore, it’s rich in fiber and vitamins.
In addition, it’s easy to prepare.
Lastly, it’s comforting and satisfying.
📊 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Calcium: 90mg
🧒 Kid-Friendly Version
To begin, reduce garlic and spices.
Then, slice zucchini thinner.
Additionally, add vegan cheese on top.
Finally, serve with pasta or bread.
