Summer Squash Au Gratin
Summer Squash Au Gratin is a comforting baked casserole featuring sliced yellow or zucchini squash layered with a creamy sauce and topped with melted, golden-brown cheese. It typically includes ingredients like summer squash, cream, butter, onions, and a blend of cheeses such as cheddar or Gruyère. This dish is a classic example of American comfort food, often found in Southern and Midwestern cuisine.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in fat and calories due to the cheese and cream-based sauce, while providing a good source of vitamins from the squash. A typical serving offers a significant amount of Vitamin C and potassium, with a calorie count ranging from 250 to 350 kcal.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 8 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 420 mg |
| Vitamin C | 20 mg |
| Potassium | 380 mg |
| Vitamin A | 450 IU |
| Calcium | 280 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2 mg |
| Folate | 30 µg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Vitamin K | 8 µg |
Per 1 cup (220 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Au gratin is a French cooking technique meaning 'with a crust,' achieved by topping a dish with cheese or breadcrumbs and baking until browned. Nutritionally, it transforms a light summer vegetable into a rich, calorie-dense dish, highlighting how preparation methods can significantly alter a food's nutritional profile.
