Creamy Zucchini & Gruyère Gratin
A luxurious low-carb side dish featuring tender zucchini layered with rich Gruyère cheese and a velvety cream sauce, perfect for pairing with roasted meats. This mediterranean-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 65 minutes pairs Zucchini, Heavy cream, Gruyère cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1.5 lbs Zucchini
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese
- 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1 small Shallot
- 1 tsp Fresh thyme
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Thinly slice 1.5 lbs zucchini into 1/8-inch rounds, discarding ends.
- Step 2: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 finely minced shallot and cook for 3 minutes until translucent, then stir in 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Whisk in 1 cup heavy cream and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring constantly until it coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 4: Spread half the zucchini slices in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, then pour half the cream sauce over them. Top with 1/2 cup grated Gruyère, then repeat layers with remaining zucchini, sauce, and 1/2 cup Gruyère.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top, then bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Zucchini & Gruyère Gratin take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 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 Creamy Zucchini & Gruyère Gratin?
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 zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Zucchini & Gruyère Gratin?
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 Creamy Zucchini & Gruyère Gratin for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Creamy Zucchini & Gruyère Gratin low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added some red pepper flakes for heat — highly recommend.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
