This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
A golden cheesy crust seals in the fluffy, moist and creamy center of this zucchini casserole. This zucchini bake recipe is easy, irresistibly delicious and a great way to use up extra garden vegetables since it is loaded with 3 pounds of zucchini!
This recipe has simple ingredients and comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights. This is the best kind of comfort food – so satisfying but light being mostly vegetables, well technically fruit because zucchini is a fruit – seriously!
Every year, Mom grows enough zucchini in her yard to feed a small army so we are always on the lookout for new zucchini recipes! My Mother-in-law shared this recipe with my husband and it quickly became a new favorite. P.S. Have you tried our all-time favorite zucchini recipe?
Ingredients for Zucchini Casserole:
The ingredients in this zucchini rice casserole are so simple and basic but they are a winning combination of flavor and texture.
*To cook rice for this recipe, you will need 1 cup of uncooked rice. Here is an easy tutorial from Olga’s Flavor Factory on how to cook white rice.
How to Make Zucchini Casserole Recipe:
Prep: Preheat oven to 400˚F and butter a 9×13 baking casserole dish.
1. Grate zucchini on the large holes (the grating attachment on a food processor makes it so easy!). You should get 7 to 8 cups before squeezing dry. Transfer grated zucchini to a colander over the sink and stir in 1 tsp salt. Let stand for 10 min, stirring a couple of times then squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands. Transfer drained zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
2. Mix 2/3 cup of sour cream with 1/2 tsp baking powder and let it stand while zucchini drains (8-10 min).
3. Into the mixing bowl with drained zucchini, stir in 4 eggs and sour cream mixture.
4. Add cooked rice and 2 cups shredded cheese. Stir in 1/2 cup chives, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash seasoning.
5. Pour mixture into buttered casserole dish and lightly spread 1/3 cup sour cream over the top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of cheese over the surface and bake uncovered in the center of your oven at 400˚ for 40 min. Let it stand for 10 min before serving.
This zucchini bake was on the menu twice last week and it disappeared fast! It tastes like comfort food but in a light and feel good way. I love the light sweetness of the zucchini, the salty crust and moist creamy center. I find this dish completely irresistible and I hope you love it as much as we do!
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients
- 3 lbs green zucchini (6 medium)
- 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided (1 tsp for sprinkling and 1/2 tsp for casserole)
- 2 cups cooked white rice*
- 1 cup sour cream, (divided into 2/3 and 1/3)
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 4 eggs (large)
- 1/2 tsp Mrs Dash seasoning, or your favorite salt-free seasoning
- 8 oz Colby jack cheese, 3 cups shredded (or use Mexican cheese)
- 1/2 cup chives, chopped, plus more for garnish
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 400˚F and butter a 9x13 casserole dish.
How to Make Zucchini Casserole:
- Grate zucchini on the large holes (or the grating attachment on a food processor). Transfer grated zucchini to a colander over the sink and stir in 1 tsp salt. Let stand 10 min, stirring a couple of times then squeeze out the excess moisture with your hands. Transfer drained zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix 2/3 cup sour cream with 1/2 tsp baking powder and let stand while zucchini drains (8-10 min).
- Into the mixing bowl with drained zucchini, stir in 4 eggs and sour cream mixture.
- Add cooked rice and 2 cups cheese. Stir in 1/2 cup chives, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp
- Mrs Dash seasoning.
- Pour mixture into buttered casserole dish and spread 1/3 cup sour cream over the top. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese over the surface and bake uncovered on the center rack at 400˚ for 40 min. Let stand for 10 min before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This zucchini casserole is the perfect way to use sweet summer zucchini and a great way to re-purpose leftover white rice.
Delicious !!! My family love it. I recommend for sure, do it without thinking, you will not regret. Good job Natasha !!!
I’m happy to hear how much you and the family enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your great review Barbara!
Hey Natasha!
Thanks for a great recipe!
So I had made this dish on Tuesday, it was eaten all too fast by my kids and husband. They insisted for me to make it again ,soon! Today I made it again , but twisted things around.
I made this dish into a dessert, I didn’t put seasonings or onions, and kept everything else the same,but I put sugar instead. It’s actually pretty good!
You’re welcome Lucy! I’m glad to hear how much your family enjoys the recipe! Thanks for sharing your excellent review!
Does this freeze well?
Hi Dodie, I haven’t tried freezing it so I can’t really say. Maybe someone else has tried? Thanks in advance!
Hi Natasha, what can i substitute for Mexican cheese? Thanks.
Hi Kim, Monterey Jack or even Mozarella cheese would work 🙂
Hi Natasha, thank you for your responded. I’ve just made it with Mozzarella cheese, it turned out wonderful ! I served it with Tabasco sauce too. Thanks again for another great meals.
My pleasure Kim! I’m so glad to hear how much you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review!
Made this today – turned out ok but accumulates quite a bit of water at the bottom of the dish and when cut, doesn’t hold well together. I think adding four to the recipe would take care of that. Also garlic or garlic powder would add more flavor. Overall, a good recipe- thank you. Keep zucchini recipes coming- we have a ton in our garden now and running out of ideas.
Hi Natasha, dos you make sure to squeeze or the excess liquid from zucchini – that definitely helps. Also, make sure you let it rest for a little bit when it comes out of the oven and then it is easier to cut and holds together better.
gosh Natasha! I made this yesterday and it’s so soooooo good. Thank you so much
You’re welcome Luda! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m so glad I stumbled across this recipe. I’m always on the look out for new zucchini recipes (I think zucchini is my favourite summer vegetable/ fruit!), and this one looks awesome! 😀
It is so simple and delicious! If you decide to make it, please let me know what you think James! 😀
It turned out great Natasha, it was the perfect side to dinner last night!
Awesome, I’m glad to hear that James!
Looks delicious! About how many cups of shredded zuchinni did you use?
Oh now I wish I had measured it that way! I would guess 7 to 8 cups shredded before squeezing out the juice.
Thank you! Making it right now and adding crumbled sausage! 😋
My pleasure Chelsea!
Thank u for this recipe!! I have a bunch in my garden and I was thinking of recipes ! Lifesaver! Will try it!
You’re welcome Oksana! Please let me know what you think of the recipe!
What a wonderful way to use up a bounty of summer zucchini!
Thanks, I agree! 🙂
Hi Natasha! Can I know if I can replace the zucchini with broccoli? I am not a fan of zucchini and neither is my family. Thank you!!!
Hi Andrea, I haven’t tried with broccoli so I’m not 100% sure but I do think it would be worth an experiment 🙂
It is absolutely delicious!!!! I would have never thought to combine zucchini and rice. It is very moist and light. I had to do one trick though. My kids don’t eat zucchini so I peeled the green. When they tried it they rolled their eyes with a delight))) Thank you for an easy but satisfying dish !!
You’re welcome Oksana! I’m happy to hear you family enjoys the recipe as much as mine does! Thanks for sharing your excellent review! 🙂
A tasty and healthy recipe! I omitted Mrs Dash spice and substituted a half cup of cheese with feta cheese. 5-star recipe all around. Thanks N’sK!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoy the recipe! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review! 🙂
You are killing it with the zucchini recipes! I made the zucchini fritters and was so surprised at how something so simple can taste so good!
Thank you so much Oliviya! I’m so glad you enjoyed the fritters. I’m working on another zucchini recipe this week. We’re on a zucchini roll! 😉 We also have so many growing right now that we are forced to work with them 😉
Hello ! In the instruction, at the end of number 4, is it à 1/2 teaspoon of pepper? It is not written… Thank you very much. Marguerite
Hi Marguerite, that is 1/2 tsp of Mrs. Dash which is an all-purpose salt-free seasoning.
Could brown rice be substituted for white?
Hi Stephanie, I think that would work just fine to use pre-cooked brown rice instead of white – even healthier! 🙂
Hi Natasha!
Can I use Cheddar instead of Colby or Mexican cheese?
Thank you
Hi, I think a mild or medium cheddar would work well instead of Colby or Mexican. I probably wouldn’t add that much sharp cheddar though – it might overpower the dish.
Thank you for your quick reply! I love your blog!! ❤️
My pleasure! I’m glad to hear that, thank you! 🙂
You are my inspiration dear Natasha. Your creations, using simple available ingredients are exactly what I (or should I say “everybody”) appreciate the most. And also there is your kind and polite way to answer back to everyone…. you are really the best ! Thank you !
It’s my pleasure! Thank you for following and sharing your thoughtful comments! 🙂 <3
Amazing! I love zucchini.
Thank you Dorota! I hope you enjoy this one! 🙂
My mouth is watering, I must try it for sure.
I hope you love the recipe! 🙂
Do you think this will work with yellow squash and zucchini mixed? Or just yellow squash?
Hi Larissa, yes I do think that would work great as a mix. We only planted green this year but you can do this with both 🙂