Zucchini and Cheddar Frittata
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy.
Filled with heaps of shredded zucchini and extra-sharp cheddar, this zucchini frittata is good for brunch, dinner, or anytime in between.
I always love the idea of a frittata. Within 30 minutes, you can whip up a meal that makes good use of any leftover veggies, meat, or hunks of cheese hiding out in the fridge. But for all their perks, frittatas can often be a bit “meh” — for the same calories, give me a slice of quiche any day! This zucchini frittata, however, is what a frittata should be: packed with flavor, creamy, and delicate, almost like a crustless quiche. There are three secrets to success: 1) squeeze as much water as possible out of the zucchini; 2) add some heavy cream and lots of cheese to the egg mixture; and 3) bake the frittata in a low-temperature oven, instead of the traditional stovetop-to-broiler method, so the eggs cook gently into a custard without scrambling.
Ingredients For zucchini frittata
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by grating the zucchini by hand or in a food processor. It’s best to use small zucchini, as they contain less water. 
Once grated, place the zucchini on several layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much water as possible. Depending on how much water is in the zucchini, you may need to repeat this step.
Next, melt a few tablespoons of butter in a 10-inch cast iron or oven-proof nonstick pan.
Add the shallots, zucchini, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and cooked down.
Meanwhile, combine the eggs, remaining salt, pepper and heavy cream in a large bowl.
Whisk to combine.
Add the cooked zucchini and grated cheese to the egg mixture and stir.
Pour the frittata mixture back into the pan.
Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until just set.
Serve the frittata warm or room temperature.
You may also like
- Ham & Cheese Oven-Puffed Pancake
- Spinach Frittata
- Crustless Broccoli Quiche
- Spinach Quiche
- 11 Easy & Delicious Zucchini Recipes
- How To Make Any Frittata
Zucchini & Cheddar Frittata
Filled with heaps of shredded zucchini and extra-sharp cheddar, this zucchini frittata is good for brunch, dinner, or anytime in between.
Ingredients
- 1 pound zucchini (about 2 small zucchini)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup finely chopped shallots, from 1-2 shallots
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 large eggs
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1¼ cup (5 oz) shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Using a food processor or box grater, grate the zucchini. Place the grated zucchini on top of several layers of paper towels and wring dry. If necessary, repeat 1 to 2 times to remove any excess moisture.
- In a 10-inch cast iron or ovenproof nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the shallot, zucchini, and ½ teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until the moisture evaporates and the zucchini is tender, 7 to 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, a heaping ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
- Add the cooked zucchini and grated cheese to the egg mixture and stir to combine. Pour the frittata mixture into the pan (no need to wash it), then place in the oven and bake until set, 25 to 30 minutes. Immediately place a dish towel or oven mitt over the pan handle after you remove it from the oven; it's easy to forget that it's hot and burn your hand.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked frittata can be frozen for up to 3 months. Remove the frittata from the freezer about 24 hours prior to serving and reheat it in the microwave or, covered with foil, in a 300°F oven until hot in the center.
Pair with
Nutrition Information
Powered by 
- Per serving (4 servings)
- Calories: 460
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23g
- Sodium: 681 mg
- Cholesterol: 458 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Gluten-Free Adaptable Note
To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.
See more recipes:
Comments
Add a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I made this as a delicious way to get my ailing mother to be able to eat something soft and get some good protein. Delicious it was! A huge hit, easy, and definitely will be making this one over and over again. Thank you for another awesome recipe.
I added some sauteed mushrooms and it was fabulous. Thank you, Jenn, for your always reliable recipes!
My whole family loved this – such amazing flavors! We will definitely be making this again. I wouldn’t change a thing!
What are nutritional values for the frittata? Thanks.
Hi Joan, The recipe has been updated w/ nutritional data. Sorry, I forgot to add it initially! Hope that helps 🙂
Absolutely delicious! Thank you!
My whole family enjoyed this meal. I made a double quantity which turned out fine. Also put some sliced tomato on top once the mixture had firmed up a bit. Another great recipe ?
This is excellent! I’ve often made frittatas and agree that they can be rather tough (though tasty). This version is truly tender and delicious. Will now change my technique!
So good! Perfect texture, very creamy and light, even with whole milk in place of cream. I will never use the typical frittata technique again; this is simple and so much better.
We’ve used several of your recipes and really enjoy them!
My husband has to be cow dairy free. I use a non-dairy stick as a substitute for the butter, and he can use a small amount of goat cheese, but I’m wondering if I could use coconut milk in the can since it is thicker, and richer than non-dairy milk in carton, or the aseptic carton.
Could you please advise?
Thank you!
Joanne Peterson
Hi Joanne, I don’t think the flavor of coconut milk would work well in this recipe. I would probably just omit the cream — it will still be delicious, just not as creamy.
I love to share recipes with my friend who lives in Germany but the problem is that she has to convert mine to metric & I have to convert hers to .. tsp, tbsp, cups, etc. I love that you have a “metric” conversion button. How easy is that. I have already sent her this recipe and i know she will smile to get it. This is such a help?. Thank you.
Looks great but could this be baked in another dish, like corning ware, or something as opposed to the pan? I’m sure my good Calphalon can be baked but it’s huge and it’d be easier to bake it in something else. Especially since this might be too thin a layer in my large pan. I think it’s 16 inches? Thank you! Looking forward to making this.
Hi Laura, Yes, any baking dish will work; just grease it with a little butter.
Could you use half and half instead of cream? Looks wonderful as all your recipes do.
Thank you
🙂 You can use half and half here; it just won’t be quite as creamy. Hope you enjoy!