Baked Zucchini Ring with Herbed Cream Cheese
A delicate ring of zucchini slices baked until tender, topped with a smooth herb-infused cream cheese spread for a simple yet elegant side dish. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 45 minutes pairs softened Cream cheese, finely chopped Fresh dill, finely chopped Fresh chives for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 medium, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds Zucchini
- 4 oz, softened Cream cheese
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped Fresh dill
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped Fresh chives
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange 2 medium peeled zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds (about 2 cups), in a ring shape on a parchment-lined baking sheet, overlapping slightly to form a circle with a 3-inch hole in the center.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 4 oz softened cream cheese, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper, mixing until smooth.
- Step 3: Spread the herbed cream cheese mixture evenly over the zucchini ring, covering the entire surface, then dot with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes until the zucchini is tender and edges are golden brown, then let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Zucchini Ring with Herbed Cream Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Zucchini Ring with Herbed Cream Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep softened cream cheese from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Zucchini Ring with Herbed Cream Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Zucchini Ring with Herbed Cream Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Baked Zucchini Ring with Herbed Cream Cheese vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
