Parmesan Baked Yellow Squash
Parmesan Baked Yellow Squash is a quick, healthy, and flavorful side dish featuring tender roasted yellow squash rounds topped with a crispy, golden Parmesan cheese crust. Perfectly balancing soft sweetness and savory notes, this easy-to-make recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and ideal for weeknight meals, kid-friendly dinners, and versatile pairings with grilled meats, pasta, and salads.
- Author: Lilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Vegetables
- 3 medium yellow squash, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
Cheese & Dairy
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Oils & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (such as oregano, basil, thyme)
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch (optional)
- Prepare the squash: Wash the yellow squash thoroughly. Slice them into 1/4-inch thick rounds to ensure even cooking and perfect layering under the Parmesan crust.
- Season the slices: Arrange the squash slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly brush each slice with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried Italian herbs to enhance the flavor.
- Add the Parmesan topping: Sprinkle a thick layer of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over each slice. For extra texture and crunch, add a pinch of Panko breadcrumbs if desired.
- Bake until golden: Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the squash is tender and the Parmesan topping is bubbling and golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the squash from the oven and allow it to rest for a couple of minutes before serving to let the cheese set perfectly and the flavors meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Use a mandoline slicer to achieve even, uniform squash rounds for consistent cooking.
- Grate Parmesan cheese fresh for a richer and more authentic cheesy flavor.
- Arrange squash slices in a single layer with space between them to ensure crispiness and avoid sogginess.
- Keep an eye on baking time after 15 minutes, especially if you added breadcrumbs, to prevent burning.
- Let the baked squash rest briefly after removal from the oven to allow the cheese crust to set and enhance texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Parmesan, Yellow Squash, Baked Squash, Healthy Side Dish, Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Easy Side Dish, Cheesy Vegetables, Roasted Squash