High-Protein Cheesy Zucchini Bake
Layered zucchini, cottage cheese, and a browned top — ready in 55 minutes
This high-protein cheesy zucchini bake layers salted zucchini with a cottage-cheese filling, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella, then bakes until the top is gold, like the dish and the plated square. Each serving has 18 g of protein and 6 g net carbs.
Low carb, sugar-free, and no pasta sheets.
Why you’ll love this bake
- 18g protein per serving
- 6g net carbs
- Zucchini in place of pasta
- Ready in about 55 minutes
- Browned cheese top
- No sugar
Health notes
- Protein: Cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Low carb: Zucchini sheets, not pasta.
- Sugar-free: No sweet sauce.
- Keto-friendly: Each square stays around 6g net carbs if the tomatoes stay measured.
Key element — salt the zucchini
Unsalted slices dump water into the dish. Ten minutes with salt, then a squeeze, is what keeps the layers like the plated square.
Ingredients
Bake (6 servings)
- 4 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
- 1 tsp salt, for drawing water
- 1½ cups cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella, divided
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp chopped basil, plus leaves to finish
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Swaps
- Ricotta: Same amount as the cottage cheese. Protein drops a little.
- No tomatoes: Net carbs drop.
- Ground chicken: Brown 8 oz and layer it in. Protein rises.
- Pasta sheets: Not in the 6g number.
Instructions
| 1 | Salt the zucchini. Toss the slices with salt. Rest 10 minutes. Squeeze out the water. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). |
| 2 | Mix the filling. Stir cottage cheese, egg, half the mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, basil, and pepper. |
| 3 | Layer. Oil a baking dish. Layer zucchini, filling, and tomatoes. Repeat. Top with the rest of the mozzarella and the remaining tomatoes, like the dish. |
| 4 | Bake. Bake 30–35 minutes until the cheese is browned and the center is set. Rest 5 minutes. Cut 6 squares. Add basil. |
Pro tips
- A wet dish means the zucchini was not squeezed. Do that step.
- Thin slices stack like the plated square. Thick coins stay raw in the middle.
- A cup of extra tomatoes pushes a serving over 6g.
- Rest 5 minutes so the square holds when you lift it.
- Macros are per serving, 6 from this dish.
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Per serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Protein | 18g |
| Net carbohydrates | 6g |
| Total carbohydrates | 8g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Total fat | 16g |
| Sodium | 480mg |
Estimates based on salted zucchini, cottage cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a measured amount of cherry tomatoes, divided into 6 servings. Pasta sheets and a sugar sauce are not included.
Variations
Chicken layer
Brown 8 oz ground chicken and spread it in the middle. Protein rises.
No tomato
Skip them. Net carbs drop.
Italian herbs
A pinch of oregano in the filling.
Air fryer portion
A single square, 8 minutes at 375°F, to re-crisp the top.
Storage
| Method | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 4 days | Cover once cool |
| Reheat | 8 min | 375°F, or a few minutes in a skillet |
| Freezer | Up to 2 months | Freeze squares. Thaw in the fridge |
FAQ
Test your knowledge
5 quick questions about this zucchini bake
1. Protein per serving?
2. Net carbs per serving?
3. Why salt the zucchini first?
4. About how long does this take?
5. What stands in for pasta?
