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Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole Recipe

If you’re looking for a twist on cornbread, this Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole recipe is it. It’s soft, cheesy, and packed with zucchini.

For more ideas on what to serve with this, check out our other recipes.

Two pieces of cornbread with the words "Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole" digitally written on top.

Cornbread is not the most thrilling side dish. If I’m somewhere and cornbread is an option for a side, I don’t pick it. It’s just not that interesting.

But when I make cornbread, that’s an entirely different story. This Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole is so good that I would order it all the time. But since it’s my recipe, I can just make it all the time.

And Pete would be happy if I did too. He’s obsessed with this cornbread recipe as well.

It tastes like a crustless quiche (in that it’s soft and a little eggy) and has the flavoring of cornbread without the dryness or crumble that’s associated with it. And then there’s cheese inside and on top. What’s not to like?

A box of corn muffin mix on a counter with the words "Budget-Friendly Corn Muffin Mix Recipes" digitally written on top.

If you bought extra corn muffin mix to make this recipe, we have a bunch of other Budget-Friendly Corn Muffin Mix recipes you can try.

Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole Recipe

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Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole Ingredients:

You can get the full list of ingredients with measurements in the recipe card below.

  • Zucchini – You want a fresh, ripe zucchini.
  • Salt – This is to pull the water out of the zucchini.
  • Onion – A mild onion (like yellow or white) works best.
  • Cheddar cheese -You want to use a block of cheese that you shred yourself. Packaged shredded cheese has preservatives that prevent it from melting in the bag. That’s good … except when you use it in a recipe where you want the cheese to melt. Then, it’s not so good. Blocks of cheese don’t have those same preservatives. So, in recipes where you want the cheese to melt, take the time to shred the cheese yourself.
  • Corn muffin mix – Any brand works.
  • Egg – You need a large egg.
  • Milk – Any type of plain milk is fine.

How To Make Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole:

Zucchini being grated in a colander.

Grate your zucchini straight into a colander.

Salt in a measuring spoon being sprinkled over salt.

Sprinkle the salt on top and let the zucchini sit at least 30 minutes. The salt will drain out moisture from the zucchini. If you don’t do this, the zucchini’s moisture will make the cornbread casserole too soggy.

Squeeze out any excess moisture from the zucchini.

Side note: You want to let the zucchini sit for at least 30 minutes.

If you have time, grate the zucchini the night before, let it sit for 30 minutes, and squeeze out the moisture. Put it in a ziptop bag and let it sit overnight in the fridge.

Before baking the cornbread casserole, squeeze the zucchini. It’ll remove so much more water this way and your cornbread will be so much better for it.

Pre-heat an oven to 400 F.

Chopped onion on a cutting board.

Dice half an onion.

Cheese grated on a cutting board.

Shred the cheddar cheese.

A bowl filled with corn muffin mix, cheese, zucchini, egg, and onion.

Add the zucchini, onion, 2/3 of the cheddar cheese, corn muffin mix, egg, and milk to a bowl.

Stir until everything is combined and the corn muffin mix is completely incorporated. You don’t want to overmix.

Overmixing can result in a dry cornbread.

Uncooked Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole in a pan.

Pour into an 8-x 8-inch pan.

Cheddar cheese on top of uncooked Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole in a pan.

Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.

Baked Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cornbread casserole is cooked through, the outside starts to brown, and the cheese on the sides starts browning

The cheese in the center should still be light in color.

Slices of Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole.

Let the cornbread cool in the pan for 30 minutes. During that time, the cheese in the center will brown.

Remove it from the pan and cut it into 16 slices.

Two slices of Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole.

Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole: Frequently Asked Questions

How can you store leftover Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to a week that way.

If you’re not planning on eating it within that timeframe, you can wrap the slices in foil, then put them in a freezer-safe container. It’ll stay fresh for about three months that way. Just be sure to defrost the cornbread casserole before serving.

Should you serve Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole hot or cold?

You can serve Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole hot or cold. It’s good either way. If you do want to reheat it, we do it in the air fryer for two minutes at 370 F, just until it’s warmed through.

Three zucchini on a table with the words "Budget-Friendly Zucchini Recipes" digitally written on top.

More Zucchini Recipes:

If you bought too much zucchini and you’re wondering what to do with it, we have a great list of Budget-Friendly Zucchini Recipes filled with a ton of ideas, like Stuffed Zucchini, Mexican Street Corn-Style Zucchini, Zucchini Bread, and more.

Yield: 16 Slices

Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole

If you’re looking for a twist on cornbread, this Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole recipe is it. It’s soft, cheesy, and packed with zucchini.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 large zucchini (about a half pound)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 medium onion
  • 4 oz. cheddar cheese
  • 1 box (8 oz.) corn muffin mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup milk

Instructions

  1. Grate your zucchini straight into a colander. Sprinkle the salt on top and let the zucchini sit at least 30 minutes. The salt will drain out moisture from the zucchini. If you don't do this, the zucchini's moisture will make the cornbread casserole too soggy. Squeeze out any excess moisture from the zucchini.
  2. Pre-heat an oven to 400 F.
  3. Dice half an onion.
  4. Shred the cheddar cheese.
  5. Add the zucchini, onion, 2/3 of the cheddar cheese, corn muffin mix, egg, and milk to a bowl. Stir until everything is combined and the corn muffin mix is completely incorporated. You don't want to overmix.
  6. Pour into an 8-x 8-inch pan.
  7. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
  8. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cornbread casserole is cooked through, the outside starts to brown, and the cheese on the sides starts browning.
  9. Let the cornbread cool in the pan for 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

If you have time, grate the zucchini the night before, let it sit for 30 minutes, and squeeze out the moisture. Put it in a ziptop bag and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Before baking the cornbread casserole, squeeze the zucchini. It'll remove so much more water this way and your cornbread will be so much better for it.

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 66Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 21mgSodium 144mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 3g

Did you make this recipe?

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Have you tried this Cheesy Zucchini Cornbread Casserole recipe yet? Let us know in the comments.

Heather

Monday 8th of September 2025

I made this with garlic and herb cheddar and everyone loved it

Paula

Friday 26th of July 2024

This is awesome! Pinned 📌

Thank You so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friend's this month.

Jennifer Wise

Friday 19th of July 2024

Hi, Lisa. I'm dropping in again with congratulations--this blog post was one of the most popular from the Will Blog for Comments #42 linkup! It will be featured in the spotlight for visitors to see for the next 2 weeks, starting today. You're welcome to save the "This Blog Post Was a Featured Favorite" image from there to share here with your readers. We hope to see you at linkup #43 as well, sharing more posts (old or new). It opens Monday morning! Have a great weekend. :)

Amy Johnson

Monday 15th of July 2024

I will definitely be making this when my zucchini is ready in the garden.

Paula

Sunday 14th of July 2024

Hey you two, I love zucchini! You betcha I'm going to give this a try.

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