Creamy Gruyere Baked Zucchini Squash Gratin
It’s time to take your Thanksgiving side dishes to the next level with this cheesy baked zucchini squash gratin! It’s creamy and packed full of zucchini, yellow squash, spinach and gruyere cheese.
Every year I grimace a bit over the Thanksgiving side dishes. Do I go slow cooker orange carrots or brussels salad (that is always a must for Christmas at least!) Candied pecan bacon brussels sprouts? This year I KNOW my side dish run down. Ready?
I was watching a little Ina Garten one evening waiting for Cade to get home and I NEVER watch tv so I was totally excited to be soaking in a little inspiration. Ina (like we’re on first name basis) was cranking out a little zucchini and rice dish and I have been making my own version ever since.
Ingredients for Zucchini Gratin
You will need a few veggies, a couple of fresh herbs, two kinds of cheese, and a few other ingredients to make this delicious vegetable side dish. Here is your grocery list:
- Butter – adds flavor and keeps the veggies from sticking to the pan
- Olive Oil – cooks all the veggies before baking
- Zucchini
- Yellow Squash
- Shallot – flavor
- Garlic – flavor
- Spinach
- Fresh Thyme – flavor, freshness
- Fresh Parsley – flavor, freshness
- Nutmeg – this might be surprising, but trust me…it adds a little pop of flavor
- Lemon Juice – flavor pop, and cuts through the richness
- Eggs – binder
- Heavy Cream – richness
- Gruyere – such great flavor and makes the dish so gooey
- Parmesan – salty flavor and golden crispy topping
The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down below.
How to Make Zucchini Squash Gratin
You don’t want a side dish that is super complicated, especially for Thanksgiving. This recipe is so easy, which is exactly what you want! You can even make it a day ahead and pop it into the oven right before your Thanksgiving feast. Here are the basic steps:
- Preheat the oven.
- Butter a cast iron skillet and set it aside.
- In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the zucchini, squash and shallots.
- Add the garlic.
- Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Then add the thyme, parsley, nutmeg, lemon juice, salt and pepper and toss everything together. Transfer it to the buttered cast iron dish.
- Whisk the eggs, cream, remaining melted butter and parmesan together. Pour the mixture over the veggies then sprinkle the top with the gruyere.
- Bake and sprinkle with the reserved parmesan. Serve!
These instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Recommended Tools
You don’t have to have a mandolin to slice your zucchini and squash but it sure makes life easier.
Can I Use Frozen Spinach?
Yes, frozen spinach will work great. I would wring out the moisture from the frozen spinach before adding it.
Look out Ina Garten! This baked zucchini, squash, spinach medley with creamy gruyere cheese is going to be everyone’s favorite of all the Thanksgiving side dishes!
More Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Creamy Gruyere Baked Zucchini Squash Gratin
Servings 6
Calories 376kcal
- 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter melted and divided
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Zucchini sliced thin (we use a mandolin)
- 2 Yellow Squash sliced thin
- 1 Shallot sliced thin
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 2 Cups Spinach packed into the measuring cup or see note
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme
- 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 4 Large Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Heavy Cream whole milk or half and half work if needed
- 3/4 Cup Gruyere Cheese grated
- 1/3 Cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese divided
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 10-12" cast-iron skillet with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter and set aside.
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Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, squash and shallots and saute for 2 minutes.
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Add the garlic to the pan while stirring with a wooden spoon and cook for one minute.
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Add the spinach to the pan and stir until wilted and then stir in the thyme, parsley, nutmeg, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss well. Transfer to the buttered cast iron dish.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter, and the 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Pour the mixture all over the spinach and zucchini, then sprinkle with Gruyere.
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Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with reserved parmesan and serve!
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