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.
Hi Jenn – would it be OK to prepare the mixture, refrigerate overnight and then bake the next morning? Thank you! Love your website.
Hi Mia, That would be fine. Glad you’re enjoying the recipes :).
Another winner from Jenn. The directions were perfect and the outcome delicious. We had this for dinner with a substantial salad and it was perfect.
Zucchini and cheese what’s not to like! Easy to make and my company loved it!
Easy and excellent frittata!
I have been making a lot of frittatas lately and this one is at the top of my and my husband’s list. It is so light and delicious and different from some of the heavier frittatas I’ve made. I serve it with a small side salad for dinner.
Delicious! Great technique to create a beautiful fluffy, creamy texture.
I have a 12 1/2 in. skillet so I used 8 eggs and 1/3 cup cream but it still seemed thinner than I would have liked. Next time I will just do 1 1/2 times the entire recipe. Should have done the math ahead of time and I would have realized my pan had an area 1.56 times a 10 inch. (Who said you don’t need geometry later in life?!)
Even my kids, who are self-proclaimed carnivores enjoyed this recipe and said I could make it any time.
Easy and so delicious! I love this website, especially the pictures, it makes it easy for newbie chefs! Thanks you, Jenn! Keep the easy recipes coming!
Can this be frozen?
Hi Alicia, With the amount of dairy this has, I think it’s better right out of the oven or refrigerated for up to about 3 days.
I LOVE this frittata and so does my family (especially my 3 year old)! Plus it always gets great reviews when I make it for guests. Another bonus is that it pairs well with several other breakfast or brunch items (meats, muffins or quick breads, fruit, etc) The recipe is perfect as is although the only difference when I make it is the size of the zucchini pieces. The wholes on my hand grater are small. I don’t believe this changes much of anything. Thanks Jen for another awesome recipe!
What temperature do recommend baking this frittata at? I got to the end of the recipe and realized there was no temperature to set my oven to! I’m new to cooking so this would be helpful! Going to try 300 based off reviews.
Hi Heather, the frittata should bake at 325 degrees. Sounds like maybe you already made it, so hope it turned out well for you!
I’m thinking this strata could be made with fresh spinach too. How much fresh spinach do you think would work in this recipe?
Hi Jenn, I’m not sure if you’re referring to this frittata or the spinach strata on the site?