Zucchini Gratin Bites
Summer calls for bite-sized appetizer and snacks. These zucchini gratin bites are a great option, balancing both nutrition and appetizing! Grilled zucchini rounds topped with ground meat, cheese and a creamy white sauce are amazing and for sure a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Zucchini
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Ground meat
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1/4 tsp all-spice
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
White Sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp corn flour
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp butter
Topping ingredient
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Slice the zucchini in 1/2" thickness rounds. Place in a large bowl, add the olive oil, garlic powder, pepper and salt. Toss the zucchini with the olive oil and seasonings, then place them in one layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until tender and lightly browned from the top. Broil for one to two minutes if needed. Remove from oven and keep aside until ready to assemble.
- In the meantime, prepare the ground meat.
- Heat one tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat, add the ground beef and break up in small pieces using a wooden spoon. Add the minced onion, all spice, salt, pepper and mix well. Continue cooking and stir occasionally until the meat is done and browned for about 5 minutes.
White Sauce
- In a small saucepan, add the milk, corn flour, salt, nutmeg and stir until well combined. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens. Turn off heat and add one tablespoon butter and mix until the butter has melted and is well absorbed by the sauce.
Assembling and Baking
- Add 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture on top of each zucchini. Top with a tablespoon of the creamy white sauce and sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top.
- Place the tray in the preheated oven ( 350 F). Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the top is lightly browned. ( Broil for 2 minutes if needed)
- Remove from oven and serve!
Notes
The zucchini rounds can be prepared ahead and stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Heat well before serving.
