Do you have a garden? I’m so jealous of those of you who have gardens! I do not have a garden. Arizona summers are brutal to all kinds of plant life, especially those that are GREEN. Every time I look out my kitchen window to the backyard I feel like the grass is crying out to me, “We can’t take it anymore! Please bring us something cold to drink! We are dying out here!”
Acually, despite the summer heat, the boys and I did plant some pumpkin and sunflower seeds a few weeks ago (is that a garden?), so we’ve had a lot of fun watching them grow. They do grow super fast and require lots of watering so that’s good for those of us who can’t leave the hose alone (Little Boy #3). The boys are very optimistic and think we won’t have to buy pumpkins this year when October rolls around. I’ll let you know how that goes.
So for those of you lucky ones with gardens, maybe you have a plethora of summer squash? If so, you must make this Zucchini and Yellow Squash Gratin! It has a wonderfully simple white sauce and is topped with crunchy, cheesy, cracker crumbs. You may know them as the “snack that smiles back”? Oh yes I did! Just keeping it classy folks!
I love that the flavor of the squash isn’t covered up by the white sauce, and that you bake them until they are just tender, not at all mushy! I used my 8 inch skillet, and it made the perfect side dish for four. Except that when I made this and went to test the doneness of a slice of zucchini just before dinner, and ended up eating half the skillet standing at the stove! I’ve made it a couple of times since then, and it’s just really good and simple and comforting.
Thanks for stopping by LLK today friends. Hope you enjoy!
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Zucchini and Yellow Squash Skillet Gratin
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 as a side 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Tender crisp zucchini and yellow squash with a creamy white sauce with a cheesy, crunchy buttery cracker crumb topping.
Ingredients
- 2 small zucchini, cut into 1/4 inch slices (about 2 cups)
- 2 small yellow squash, cut into 1/4 inch slices (about 2 cups)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 3/4 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Better Than Bullion Chicken base
- 1/2 cup crushed cheddar flavored crackers (I used Goldfish)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Arrange zucchini and yellow squash in an 8 inch skillet. Starting on the outside of the skillet, overlap each slice and alternate zucchini with yellow squash. Work your way around the skillet until you eventually get to the center. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium high heat, melt butter.
- Sprinkle flour over the butter, and whisk together for a couple of minutes or until the butter is slightly browned.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken base, and whisk constantly until it simmers and thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the white sauce over the squash. Sprinkle crushed cheddar crackers evenly over the top.
- Drizzle with melted butter.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, watching to make sure the top doesn’t get too brown.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving. The sauce will thicken as it cools.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 152
- Sugar: 6.5g
- Sodium: 202mg
- Fat: 9.1g
- Saturated Fat: 4.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.6g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Protein: 4.7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Matt Robinson says
I could probably live on this dish alone, all of my favs. It looks incredible!
Julie says
Sounds good to me, thanks Matt!
Tiffany @ Triple Crème Decadence says
Delicious. I love the vibrant colors of your gratin! And, nice touch with the Goldfish crackers! 😉
Julie says
Haha! Thanks so much!
Lila says
I saw this on Food Gawker and had to come pin it! I love zucchini!
Julie says
Thanks for coming over Lila!
Katya @ Little Broken says
Such a pretty presentation!
Julie says
Thank you Katya.
Carrie Pacini says
Julie this looks so good, I love zucchini. AND I am in Scottsdale AZ right now and it is HOT!
Julie says
Thanks Carrie! Have fun in Scottsdale, and I hope you can stay cool!
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
What a beautiful dish! Looking at these pics makes me wish I would have taken some time to plant my garden this year…. I guess the Farmer’s Market will have to do for now ;). I love how vibrant and colorful this gratin is!!
Julie says
Thanks Kathi!
Susan says
I made this with just yellow squash. I minced some yellow onion and sprinkled it over the squash in the pan. After I poured the white sauce over the squash is added some grated cheese and panko bread crumbs, I did not have any cheese crackers. I did this in a cast iron skillet. This dish is beautiful and delicious!! Thank you for the recipe!