Zucchini with Béchamel Sauce – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

Zucchini with Béchamel Sauce – Recipe & Cooking Instructions

Zucchini with béchamel is a delicious and satisfying dish commonly served in restaurants. It's rich in flavor, hearty, and offers numerous health benefits when enjoyed in moderation. With its creamy layers and spiced ground beef, this dish makes for a perfect main course, especially when served alongside white rice.

This recipe serves 4 to 6 people.

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Ingredients for Zucchini with Béchamel:

 

• 500 grams of finely ground beef

• 1 kilogram of medium-sized zucchini, peeled and sliced lengthwise

• A small amount of vegetable oil for sautéing (you can use butter or ghee for a richer flavor)

• 1 medium spoon of ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• Salt to taste

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• A handful of breadcrumbs for the topping

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 2 cups of whole milk

• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons of room-temperature butter

• Salt to taste

• 1 teaspoon of black pepper

• A pinch of ground nutmeg (optional, to taste)

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How to Prepare Zucchini with Béchamel:

Start by preparing the beef mixture. In a pan, sauté the chopped onion in a little vegetable oil until it softens. Add the minced beef along with half of the cumin, cinnamon, paprika, and black pepper. Cook on medium heat until the meat is browned and all excess liquid evaporates.

In a separate pan, add the zucchini slices with a little oil. Sprinkle the remaining spices over them and sauté gently, stirring occasionally until they are halfway cooked (semi-tender).

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To Make the Béchamel Sauce:

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk continuously to combine, stirring until the mixture turns golden and loses its raw flour smell.

Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a custard-like consistency.

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Assembling the Dish:

In a baking dish, start layering your ingredients. Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on the bottom. Next, add a layer of sautéed zucchini, followed by a layer of spiced minced beef, and another layer of béchamel. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of béchamel.

Sprinkle a generous layer of breadcrumbs over the top.

Place the dish in a preheated oven at medium heat (around 180°C / 356°F) for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and the dish is bubbling.

Remove from the oven and serve hot, ideally alongside fluffy white rice.

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Note:
The golden rule for a perfect béchamel sauce is using equal parts of its three basic ingredients: flour, butter, and milk. For example, if you use one cup of milk, pair it with one tablespoon of butter and one tablespoon of flour.

Bon appétit!