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    Home » Recipes » Make Ahead and Meal Prep

    By Carol Published: Sep 11, 2019 Modified: Jul 13, 2021 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses

    Jump to Recipe
    4.43 from 14 votes
    1 hour 50 minutes

    Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses is a lovely, late summer dish that's perfect as a side with roast meats, poultry or as a vegetarian main dish.

    Photo of Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses on white distressed background with white towel garnished with fresh basil.

    Making the most of the last lovely produce of summer with this Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses!

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • The inspiration behind this recipe:
    • What is a gratin?
    • How to make Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses:
    • Serve on the side with:
    • More inspired vegetable side dish recipes!
    • Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
      • Instructions 
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    The inspiration behind this recipe:

    We're still getting a stray yellow squash here and a few tomatoes there.  One would never know summer is coming to an end with the crazy hot weather we have with no let-up in sight!

    But, plants can only produce so much so we're making the most of every last summer vegetable!

    Here's a lovely gratin that's perfect as a side dish for roast meat, poultry or as a vegetarian entree.  Simply add a salad and bread for a satisfying meatless meal!  Yellow squash and tomatoes are layered with basil, garlic, ricotta and parmesan cheeses then topped with buttery brioche breadcrumbs.

    What is a gratin?

    A gratin (see this for pronunciation) is a cooking method that originated in France where an ingredient or ingredients are cooked in a shallow dish, topped with breadcrumbs and cheese and baked or broiled until the top is browned.  The ingredients may range from potatoes and vegetables to fish and chicken.

    How to make Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses:

    Tomatoes have a crazy amount of water in them and it's a good idea to "drain" them first or you'll end up with a puddle of liquid at the bottom of your gratin.

    • Start by slicing the tomatoes.
    • Sprinkle both sides of the tomatoes with salt.
    • Place on paper towels and let drain for at least 15 minutes.
    • Turn the slices over onto a dry section of the paper towels and let drain another 15 minutes.
    • Blot the tomatoes dry.

    Photo of tomatoes draining on paper towels after being salted.

    • Oil a gratin-style dish then place a layer of yellow squash down.
    • Add fresh basil leaves and some chopped fresh garlic.

    Photo of the first layer of yellow squash in white gratin dish.

    • Top with a layer of tomatoes....

    Photo of the tomato layer over the yellow squash.

    • Top that layer with some of the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses...

    Photo after a layer of cheese and basil are added over tomato and yellow squash layers.

    • Add the second layer of yellow squash, tomatoes, more of the cheese combination, more basil....

    Photo of the final layers of squash, tomatoes and cheese combination.

    • Finish with buttery brioche breadcrumbs and a drizzle of olive oil....

    Photo of gratin with breadcrumb coating before being baking.

    • ...and bake!

    Photo of baked Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses on white distressed background with white towel.

    Photo of Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses after being baked with serving fork.

    Photo of Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses with some of the gratin served onto a small white plate.

    Close-up shot of the gratin with piece removed.

    Close-up photo of a serving of Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses on white plate.

    Lovely, lovely!

    The perfect side dish for roasted meat or poultry or a vegetarian entree!

    Serve on the side with:

    • Slow Cooker Boneless Beef Short Ribs Bourguignon
    • Beef Tenderloin Fillets with Spinach Cambozola Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce
    • Parmesan and Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops
    • Herb and Garlic-Roasted Chicken with Dijon Rosemary Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
    • Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

    More inspired vegetable side dish recipes!

    • Brussels Sprouts Gratin with Brie and Bacon
    • Roasted Cauliflower with Black Olive Pangrattato
    • Roasted Cabbage Steaks with Mustard Vinaigrette
    • Roasted Cauliflower Steaks with Mustard Caper Brown Butter
    • Braised Greens with Olives and Lemon
    Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses - Close-up shot of gratin with piece removed

    Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses

    4.43 from 14 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Yellow Squash and Tomato Gratin with Two Cheeses is a lovely, late summer dish that's perfect as a side with roast meats or poultry or as a vegetarian main dish.
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 40 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Additional Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 50 mins
    Course Side Dishes - Vegetables
    Cuisine French / Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 285 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Gratin Baking Dish
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    • 3-4 large Roma tomatoes - thinly sliced
    • Salt
    • 1 cup ricotta cheese
    • 1 large egg - beaten
    • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - divided
    • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil - divided
    • 3 medium yellow squash - thinly sliced
    • Freshly ground black pepper
    • 15-20 whole basil leaves - torn if large
    • 4 cloves garlic - chopped
    • ½ cup fresh bread crumbs - preferably brioche
    • Chopped fresh parsley - for garnish (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Place the tomatoes on paper towels and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Let stand 15 minutes. Flip onto dry paper towels and salt again. Let stand for another 15 minutes. Dry the top side of the tomatoes with paper towels of any remaining moisture.
    • Combine ricotta with egg and ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Brush a gratin-style or other shallow baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
    • Place ⅓ of the yellow squash slices in the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, to taste. Top with ⅓ of the basil leaves, ½ of the garlic and ½ of the tomatoes. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and half of the ricotta mixture. Top with several more basil leaves.
    • Repeat layer: ⅓ yellow squash, salt and black pepper, basil, garlic, remaining tomatoes, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, remaining ricotta and a few more basil leaves.
    • Finish with the final layer of yellow squash and remaining Parmesan cheese.
    • Top with breadcrumbs.
    • Drizzle with remaining olive oil.
    • Bake for 30-40 minutes. If breadcrumbs start to brown too much, cover loosely with aluminum foil. You should be able to easily pierce the yellow squash with a small knife.
    • Let rest 10 minutes then serve immediately.

    Notes

    MAKE AHEAD: Can be assembled 1 day in advance without breadcrumbs. Cover and refrigerate. When ready to bake, scatter the breadcrumbs over the top and drizzle with olive oil. You may need to increase baking time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 599mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3944IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 382mg | Iron: 3mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

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    Categories: Ideas For Entertaining

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    Comments

    1. Meghan says

      September 12, 2019 at 12:15 pm

      What a pretty dish! It would be so gorgeous for the holidays. Everybody loves a crunchy topping.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        September 12, 2019 at 1:14 pm

        Hi, Meghan, Thanks so much! Yes, it would be great year-round! Thanks again!

        Reply

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