Zucchini and Cheddar Frittata
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If frittatas have ever left you a little underwhelmed, this zucchini and cheddar version will win you over.
I always love the idea of a frittata. In about 30 minutes, you can turn whatever vegetables, meat, or cheese you have hanging around into a meal. 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 cheddar frittata, however, is what a frittata should be: it’s creamy and delicate, almost like a crustless quiche, and a few little tricks make all the difference. Squeeze as much water as possible out of the zucchini, add some heavy cream and plenty of cheese to the eggs— and, finally, bake the whole thing in a low-temperature oven, instead of the traditional stovetop-to-broiler method. The gentle heat gives the eggs a soft, custardy texture without overcooking them.
Serve it for brunch with my strawberry orange fruit salad, or pair it with crusty bread for an easy lunch or dinner.
“Absolutely delightful. Make this!!”
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE A zucchini frittata
- Zucchini: The star of the frittata, adding tenderness and a mild, fresh taste. Be sure to wring it out well after grating; removing the excess moisture keeps the frittata from turning watery.
- Unsalted Butter: Used to sauté the zucchini and shallots, adding richness while also keeping the frittata from sticking to the pan.
- Shallots: Add a delicate oniony sweetness that complements the mild zucchini without overpowering it.
- Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Season both the zucchini as it cooks and the egg mixture, ensuring the frittata is well seasoned throughout.
- Eggs: Form the base of the frittata.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the eggs softer and more tender, giving the frittata a creamy consistency rather than a firm, rubbery one.
- Cheddar Cheese: Melts throughout the frittata, bringing sharpness and richness that contrast nicely with the mild zucchini.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Grate and dry the zucchini. Grate the zucchini, then wrap it in several layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much water as you can, repeating with fresh paper towels if needed. Zucchini holds a surprising amount of water, and removing it keeps that excess moisture from ending up in the frittata. Small zucchini are a good choice here since they tend to be less watery.
Step 2: Cook the shallots and zucchini. Sauté the shallots and zucchini in the butter until the zucchini is tender and cooked down. This also gives any remaining moisture from the zucchini a chance to cook off before it’s added to the eggs.
Step 3: Make the egg mixture. While the zucchini cooks, whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper until well combined. There’s no need to whisk aggressively or incorporate lots of air; you’re just looking for an even mixture.
Step 4: Assemble the frittata. Stir the cooked zucchini and cheese into the egg mixture, then pour everything back into the pan. Spread the zucchini around if needed so it’s fairly evenly distributed before the pan goes into the oven.
Step 5: Bake and serve. Bake until the frittata is just set, about 25 to 30 minutes. Try not to overbake it—the eggs will continue to cook a bit from the heat of the pan after it comes out of the oven. Serve warm or at room temperature. The frittata will keep nicely in the fridge for a few days; freeze for longer storage.
More Brunch-Worthy Egg Recipes
Zucchini & Cheddar Frittata
Ingredients
- 1 lb zucchini (about 2 small zucchini)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup finely chopped shallots, from 1 to 2 shallots
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 large eggs
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1¼ cups (5 oz) shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and set an oven rack in the middle position.
- 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-in (25-cm) 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.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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.
Add a Comment
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Could I substitute Gruyere cheese for the cheddar?
Sure, Thessaly, that will work.
I made this tonight and served it with a big salad for a low carb dinner night. We all enjoyed it. I think I might try doubling it and making it in a 9×13 next time to have leftovers for my son to have a high protein breakfast before school. I have loved all of Jenn’s recipes that I have tried including the ones from her cookbook and I love her tips like the one where she mentioned leaving a glove on the handle of the pan to remind you that it’s hot. Super helpful!
This is a keeper. I made it tonight. It was delicious and we finished it. WE can use extra zucchii this way. Just delicious.
I tried a variation of this recipe for my daughter’s friends and they all loved it but I was a little disappointed by the way it dropped once it was out of the oven. When it was first done cooking, it was puffed up, looked light and fluffy and it flattened once it was out of the oven. It tasted delicious though. Does anyone have any tips? I used 8 eggs and omitted the zucchini in a 10 inch cast iron pan. Thanks!
Hi Janet, all frittatas and quiches puff up while in the oven and deflate a little once they cool, so it doesn’t sound like you did anything wrong!
Excellent dish!
I love this site and have tried several of Jenn’s recipes with success, but this is one that I come back to again and again. It’s so delicious and a great way to use up summer zucchini. Just wanted to say thanks!
Just made this for supper tonight. My family loved it. I used extra sharp cheddar cheese. I will definitely be making this again! This is the third recipe I have tried from Jenn and they were all wonderful 5 star recipes!
Are you really using cheddar cheese? The cheese looks lighter.
I agree that it looks lighter in the pic, but it is Cheddar. Hope you enjoy!
Jen,
What do you think about adding ham to this? Would you recommend mixing it all up with the egg mix and then pouring into pan? Or putting small slices of ham on the bottom of the pan, and then adding egg/zucchini mix on top?
I think ham would work nicely here. I’d suggest adding it to the egg mixture before pouring it into the pan. Hope you enjoy!
Delicious! Just made it. There were no small zucchinis left to buy, so I bought a large zucchini. I went through 5 rounds of using paper towels to dry it out. Tasted really good! (and I don’t usually like zucchini!)
Absolutely love this easy frittata. I doubled it and poured it into a 9×13 Pyrex. Came out just perfect!