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This squash and zucchini casserole is a total crowd pleaser! A cozy summer side dish, it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

Squash and zucchini casserole
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Squash and zucchini go hand in hand in the summers. And what’s more homey than a squash and zucchini casserole? It’s got the vibe of Sunday dinners and summer evenings where the sun stretches into the late evening. This one is packed with flavor and quickly disappeared in our house. A light Parmesan sauce covers the tender squash, and it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs. It’s a cozy casserole that’s not too rich and heavy. Honestly, we couldn’t stop ourselves from shoveling in bites. Here’s what to know!

Want more of this duo? Try Roasted Zucchini and Squash or Grilled Zucchini and Squash.

Ingredients for squash and zucchini casserole

This squash and zucchini casserole has a short ingredient list! There’s only one special ingredients with some notes. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Summer squash and zucchini: Weigh out the amount so that you use the right amount for the seasoning. Medium zucchini and squash can vary in weight greatly.
  • Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt
  • Olive oil or butter
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 2% milk
  • Flour
  • Seasoned Italian panko: this is the bread crumb mixture that contains seasonings and salt! You should be available to find it at your local grocery. If not, see the notes below.

Love yellow squash? Check out these Yellow Squash Recipes to Try!

Zucchini

Use Italian Panko or breadcrumbs, or this substitute

This casserole is made using Italian panko or breadcrumbs. What are they? Italian breadcrumbs have seasonings and salt added. This makes it easy to sprinkle onto the top of a casserole because it’s got lots of flavor and seasoning already. Italian breadcrumbs and panko are easy to find at most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, here’s a substitute:

  • Use regular panko or make homemade breadcrumbs.
  • To 1 cup of the plain panko or breadcrumbs, add: ¼ teaspoon dried basil, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder and ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme, and ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt.
  • Use ½ cup in the recipe below and save the remaining for future recipes.
How to make bread crumbs with herbs
Try homemade Italian breadcrumbs if you can’t find storebought

How to make squash and zucchini casserole (basic steps)

The basic steps for making this squash and zucchini casserole! There are a few technique things to know, so review this first before going to the recipe below:

  • Slice & season the squash and zucchini. Three pounds might seem like a lot of squash and zucchini at first, but it condenses into a small baking dish. Slice it into rounds and season it in a bowl first to get even coating.
  • Cook the squash and zucchini: You’ll need your largest skillet for this one! The easiest way to cook it all is by covering it for a few minutes at a time. A lot of moisture will be released. Cook only until crisp tender: it takes about 6 minutes.
  • Add the sauce: To the same pan, you’ll add milk, flour whisked into a little milk (as a thickener), and Parmesan cheese. Let that cook for 2 minutes: it will thicken a little, but not much.
  • Top with breadcrumbs and bake! Finally, you’ll transfer everything to a small baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake for 10 minutes.
Zucchini and squash casserole

Here’s why to rest after baking!

Once you’re done baking this squash and zucchini casserole, here’s the thing. It’s best to rest for at least 10 minutes after baking. Why? Two reasons:

  • Resting lets the sauce in the pan thicken. When the casserole is just baked, the sauce is fairly watery. As it cools, the sauce will thicken.
  • It also cools and sets the squash. The squash and zucchini are very hot once they come out of the oven. The rest time helps them come to warm and helps to set the texture.

Variation: gluten free casserole

Do you eat gluten-free? Here are a few options for making this a gluten free squash and zucchini casserole:

  • Panko / breadcrumbs: Gluten free Italian breadcrumbs and panko are easily available online these days. You can also sometimes find them at your local grocery. (If all you can find is plain, not Italian, see the section above about how to season your own.)
  • Flour: You can use gluten-free flour or cornstarch in place of the flour.
Zucchini and squash casserole

Ways to serve squash and zucchini casserole

This squash and zucchini casserole is easy to make! For us it’s more of a side dish for entertaining or a special meal, but you could also serve it on a weeknight if you’re an organized cook. Are a few ways to serve it:

This squash and zucchini casserole is…

Vegetarian. For gluten free, see the section above.

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Squash and Zucchini Casserole

Yellow squash casserole
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This squash and zucchini casserole is a total crowd pleaser! A cozy summer side dish, it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan.

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds zucchini and squash (about 2 medium zucchini and 2 medium squash)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons 2% milk
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ cup seasoned Italian panko or Italian breadcrumbs (contains salt)*

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Farenheit.
  2. Slice the zucchini and squash into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Place them in a bowl and stir them together with the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
  3. In your largest skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium high heat. Add the zucchini and squash. Cover the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, then uncover and stir. Cover again for 2 minutes and uncover and stir, moving slices to the bottom layer as necessary so that they can get browned. Cook 2 minutes again, flipping the pieces carefully, until they are crisp tender.
  4. Reduce the heat to low. Add another ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ cup milk, 1 tablespoon flour whisked into 2 tablespoons milk, and ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Pour the zucchini and squash into a small baking dish (2 quart or 11″ x 8″). Top with the seasoned Italian panko and another 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
  6. Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown. Allow to stand for at least 10 minutes so the sauce thickens slightly. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Notes

*You can also make homemade Italian breadcrumbs: see Step 4 in How to Make Breadcrumbs.

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About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Hi! We’re Sonja and Alex Overhiser, authors of the acclaimed cookbooks A Couple Cooks and Pretty Simple Cooking—and a real life couple who cooks together. We founded the A Couple Cooks website in 2010 to share seasonal recipes and the joy of home cooking. Now, we’ve got over 3,000 well-tested recipes, including Mediterranean diet, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, smoothies, cocktails, and more!

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3 Comments

  1. Laurie says:

    Can you make this ahead of time, but add the breadcrumbs and bake it when you’re ready to serve it?

  2. Stephanie Petrucci says:

    What temperature for the oven?

    1. Alex Overhiser says:

      450F