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Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Rice Casserole Recipe with Buttery Ritz Topping

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A quick and easy zucchini rice casserole featuring a creamy cheesy base and a crispy buttery Ritz cracker topping, perfect for weeknights or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium zucchinis, grated (about 2 cups), squeezed to remove excess moisture
  • 2 cups cooked white rice (about 400g), leftover or freshly cooked and cooled
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sour cream (Greek yogurt can be substituted)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • 1 sleeve (about 30 crackers) buttery Ritz crackers, crushed
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions

  1. Grate 2 medium zucchinis using a box grater or food processor. Place the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. (Approx. 10 minutes)
  2. In a large bowl, combine the grated zucchini, 2 cups cooked white rice, diced onion, minced garlic, shredded cheddar, Parmesan, sour cream, and beaten eggs. Add dried Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well mixed. The mixture should be thick but evenly combined. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  3. Crush about 30 Ritz crackers into coarse crumbs inside a small bowl. Pour in 4 tablespoons melted butter and sprinkle ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (if using). Toss until the crumbs are evenly coated and look glossy. Set aside. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  4. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease your 9×13-inch casserole dish lightly with butter or non-stick spray. Spread the zucchini rice mixture evenly in the dish, pressing down gently to level it out. Sprinkle the buttery Ritz cracker mixture evenly over the top. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  5. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and crispy and the casserole is set and bubbling around the edges. (Approx. 30-35 minutes)
  6. Once out of the oven, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to firm up and make slicing easier. (Approx. 10 minutes)

Notes

Squeeze zucchini twice to avoid sogginess. Use freshly grated cheese for better melting. Press mixture firmly in dish for better binding. Crush Ritz crackers coarsely for texture contrast. Butter the crackers well for a crispy topping. Tent with foil if topping browns too fast. If mixture is too wet, squeeze zucchini more or add extra rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: zucchini casserole, cheesy casserole, Ritz cracker topping, easy casserole, zucchini rice casserole, comfort food, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/crispy-cheesy-zucchini-rice-casserole-recipe-with-buttery-ritz-topping-easy-and-perfect/