Cheesy Baked Zucchini Delight (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Zucchini

01 - 3 medium zucchinis, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/8 teaspoon pepper

→ Cheese Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons butter
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 1.5 cups whole milk
08 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - Pepper to taste
11 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
12 - 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Topping

13 - 0.5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - Toss the zucchini slices with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. Remove and set aside.
03 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it forms a smooth roux.
04 - Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add garlic powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. Mix until melted and smooth, then remove from heat.
05 - Layer half the roasted zucchini in the baking dish. Pour half the cheese sauce over it. Repeat with the remaining zucchini and cheese sauce.
06 - Top with shredded mozzarella and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
07 - Broil for an extra 1 or 2 minutes at the end if you want extra browning on top.
08 - Garnish with finely chopped parsley and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.