This tomato and courgette gratin is packed with vegetables, topped with a gorgeous parmesan breadcrumb and perfectly flavoured with garlic and oregano
Despite boasting three layers, this beautiful gratin isn't at all tricky to make.
The base layer is a tomato sauce, made by simply sweating onion, garlic and peppers and then simmering with tomatoes and oregano. It's then ready to pile into your lasagne dish.
The courgette (or zucchini) layer is even simpler! You'll leave courgette slices to sit with a pinch of salt, drawing out the excess liquid and intensifying the flavour. After that, you'll toss the slices in olive oil and arrange on top of the tomato layer.
Finally, you'll make the crumb by combining fresh white breadcrumbs with cheese and herbs before sprinkling into the dish.
After 25 minutes in the oven, you'll have a gorgeous, golden tomato and courgette gratin, ready to serve.
This is the perfect recipe to add to your midweek meal repertoire.
Here's how to make my tomato and courgette gratin.
Ingredients
For the tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 red onions diced
- 3 peppers deseeded and diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 400 g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
For the courgette layer
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 courgette (zucchini) very thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the breadcrumb layer
- 150 g (1⅔ cup) fresh breadcrumbs
- 100 g (1 cup) Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative finely grated
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and black pepper
Equipment
- Medium roasting pan 35x25cm (14x10")
Instructions
Prepare the courgette
Put the thinly sliced courgette in a colander and sprinkle with salt.
Stand the colander in the sink and leave to drain for 10 minutes. The courgettes will soften and release excess moisture.
Pat dry with paper towels and place in a bowl
Drizzle with olive oil, toss and set aside.
Make the tomato sauce
Warm the oil over a low-medium heat in a large non-stick pan.
Add the onions, garlic, oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Sweat for 10 minutes until soft.
Add the peppers.
Fry for 3-5 more minutes until softening.
Add the tinned tomatoes and tomato puree.
Simmer for a couple of minutes, then take off the heat.
Make the breadcrumb topping
Put the fresh breadcrumbs in a bowl with the dried oregano, parmesan and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Stir together.
Bring it all together
Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F).
Spread the tomato sauce in the bottom of a medium lasagne tray.
Layer the courgette slices on top.
Scatter the breadcrumbs on top.
Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until golden.
Serve immediately.
Isn't it an attractive dish? I hope you enjoy!
What's your favourite way to enjoy courgettes?
Pin this tomato and courgette gratin recipe
Tomato and Courgette Gratin Recipe
Ingredients
For the tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 red onions diced
- 3 peppers deseeded and diced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 400 g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes
For the courgette layer
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 courgette (zucchini) very thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the breadcrumb layer
- 150 g (1⅔ cup) fresh breadcrumbs
- 100 g (1 cup) Parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese alternative finely grated
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and black pepper
Equipment
- Medium roasting pan 35x25cm (14x10")
Instructions
Prepare the courgette
- Put the thinly sliced courgette in a colander and sprinkle with salt.
- Stand the colander in the sink and leave to drain for 10 minutes. The courgettes will soften and release excess moisture.
- Pat dry with paper towels and place in a bowl
- Drizzle with olive oil, toss and set aside.
Make the tomato sauce
- Warm the oil over a low-medium heat in a large non-stick pan.
- Add the onions, garlic, oregano and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sweat for 10 minutes until soft.
- Add the peppers and fry for 3-5 more minutes until softening.
- Stir in the tinned tomatoes and tomato puree. Simmer for a couple of minutes, then take off the heat.
Make the breadcrumb topping
- Put the fresh breadcrumbs in a bowl with the dried oregano, parmesan and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir together.
Bring it all together
- Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F).
- Spread the tomato sauce in the bottom of a medium lasagne tray.
- Layer the courgette slices on top.
- Scatter the breadcrumbs on top.
- Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes until golden.
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Ewenee Thorpe says
Do you think mushrooms instead of courgettes will work?
Emily Leary says
Yeah, sounds good.
Lisa says
Oh my gosh I could dive in and eat the lot. It uses all my favourite flavours, I think I'd like it with a big slice of crusry bread to mop up the sauce too.
Lucy @SupergoldenBakes says
Looks delicious Emily! Perfect family meal.
Emily Leary says
Thanks Lucy! :)
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
This look so tempting, love this flavour combination Emily
Emily Leary says
Thank you!
Elizabeth says
Oh gosh this looks like some seriously awesome comfort food, and a great way to use up some of that glut of courgettes! Fab video too! :D
Emily Leary says
It is lovely and comforting, but actually relatively low in calories as the mozzarella is the only indulgence. Hurrah!
Adele says
Think I will be trying this! x
Emily Leary says
Excellent - hope you enjoy!
Petra / Be Healthy Now says
Love the sound of this!
Emily Leary says
Thanks!