Description
Smoky grilled zucchini layered with juicy tomatoes, melty mozzarella, and basil—perfect for summer lunches or light, fresh dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Zucchini Stacks
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into rounds
- Olive oil, for brushing
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Garlic powder, to taste
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or sliced fresh mozzarella
Optional Variations
- Portobello mushrooms or eggplant instead of zucchini
- Roasted red peppers instead of tomatoes
- Pesto or chili oil instead of olive oil
- Feta, Swiss, or Monterey Jack cheese instead of mozzarella
Instructions
- Prepare the Zucchini: Slice the zucchini into rounds and brush each slice lightly with olive oil. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to taste.
- Grill or Bake Zucchini: Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high. Place the zucchini rounds directly on the grill grates (or on a baking sheet if roasting). Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until slightly tender and grill marks appear.
- Add Tomato and Cheese: Place a slice of tomato and some mozzarella (shredded or fresh) on each zucchini round. Return them to the grill or oven and cook until the cheese melts and is just golden around the edges (about 2-3 minutes).
- Assemble the Stacks: Carefully stack the rounds in layers if a taller stack is desired, or serve each as an open-faced bite.
- Garnish and Serve: For extra flavor, top with fresh herbs like basil, or drizzle with balsamic glaze. Serve immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- Use a grill pan or sheet if slices are thin to prevent slipping through grates.
- For a more filling dish, add extra layers of zucchini, tomato, and cheese.
- For best results, select zucchinis that are firm and similar in size for even cooking.
- Customize the recipe with different vegetables or cheeses as preferred.
- Balsamic glaze adds a sweet and tangy finish.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stack
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg