A delicious and easy method of turning fresh zucchini into a tasty appetizer or side dish is provided by these Cheesy Grilled Zucchini Rolls. The thin slices of zucchini are filled with melty mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, and Italian herbs before being grilled until they are tender and have a beautiful golden colour. They are cheesy, savoury, and ideal for a quick summer meal or as a party snack.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer / Side Dish
Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired
Ingredients:
3 medium zucchini
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat
Instructions:
- Prepare the Zucchini
Clean and dry the zucchini, then use a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler to carefully cut each one lengthways into thin strips.
Make the slices thin enough to roll them up but not so thin that they tear.
- Make the cheese filling.
Take the mozzarella that has been shredded, the Parmesan cheese, the minced garlic, the Italian seasoning, the oregano, the black pepper, and half of the fresh parsley and put them all into a bowl.
Combine all of them until they are evenly mixed.
- Season the Zucchini
Place the slices of zucchini flat on a clean cutting board or tray.
Apply a little olive oil to both sides and then season with a small quantity of salt and black pepper.
- Fill and Roll
Put a little of the cheese mixture close to one end of each zucchini slice.
Take the zucchini and roll it up tightly around the filling. Keep doing this until all of the zucchini slices and the cheese mixture have been used.
Make sure not to fill the rolls too full so that the cheese remains inside when grilling.
- Cook the zucchini rolls on a grill.
Turn the grill pan or outdoor grill to medium heat first.
Brush the grill with a small amount of olive oil and lay the zucchini rolls with the seam side down.
Cook the grill for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, making sure to turn them over as they are cooking.
Keep grilling the zucchini until it is tender, golden in colour and has nice grill marks; the cheese should have melted and be deliciously soft and stretchy.
- Finish and Serve
Place the grilled zucchini rolls on a serving plate.
Add some fresh parsley and, if you like, a bit of extra Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes.
Serve it right away since the cheese is still warm and melted.
Helpful Tips:
For the zucchini, select one that is of medium size since this will make it easier to roll.
Cut the zucchini into even slices so that the rolls cook at the same rate.
You should not use a lot of filling since it might escape when grilling.
If the zucchini is hard to roll, then after seasoning leave the slices for a few minutes so that they become a bit more flexible.
To cook the zucchini, use medium heat instead of very high heat so that it doesn’t burn before becoming tender.
Serving Suggestions
These zucchini rolls are delicious served with:
Marinara sauce
Garlic bread
Fresh green salad
Grilled chicken
Pasta
Roasted vegetables
Extra Parmesan cheese
Storage
You can keep leftover zucchini rolls in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To achieve the best texture, reheat them in a skillet, a grill pan, or in the oven until they are warmed through. Overheating should be avoided since the zucchini can then become too soft.
Recipe Notes
To give it extra flavour, mix in some cream cheese or ricotta with the mozzarella. You might also include finely chopped basil or spinach in the filling.
If you want a spicier flavour, then add some red pepper flakes or a small amount of chili powder to the cheese mixture.
The Cheesy Grilled Zucchini Rolls work best when they are eaten right away, while the cheese is still warm, melted, and stretchy.
Cheesy Grilled Zucchini Rolls
Ingredients
Method