Cheesy Baked Fennel Casserole Recipe Is a High-Fiber, High-Protein Blue Zone Side Dish (6 Ingredients) High Fiber High Protein Casseroles Mediterranean Diet Vegetables Side Dishes Vegetarian

If you've watched Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones on Netflix, you may be inspired to find new friends, go to church, walk uphill, drink herbal tea and make Blue Zone recipes, among other things. Fennel is a Blue Zone herb and one that's often overlooked while scavenging the produce department. One bite of this cheesy fennel gratin recipe and that will change. 

If you want to try this cheesy high-protein and high-fiber baked fennel casserole recipe, here is your shopping list: fennel (check out the health benefits of fennel), olive oil, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, fresh thyme and mozzarella. That's it. The fennel bakes in the oven for about 20 minutes covered, then is uncovered and bakes about 15 minutes more.

Be sure to read about the health benefits of fiber and the health benefits or protein.

Why not surprise your family with this easy Mediterranean Diet-inspired fennel recipe this week as a vegetable side dish with dinner? Who knows, it may help you live to be 100! 

Cuisine: Mediterranean / American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes
Total Time: 45 to 50 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 3 - 4 large fennel bulbs (from about 3 pounds with fronds), sliced
• olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the sliced fennel in salted, boiling water for about 5 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. (Use a mandoline slicer to make cutting the fennel easier.)
2. Combine the Parmesan, breadcrumbs and thyme in a bowl. Add half of the mixture to the fennel and toss to combine. Pour the fennel into an oiled casserole dish. (To make cleanup easier, line your baking dish with parchment paper.)
3. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and remaining breadcrumb mixture. Drizzle with olive oil. (You can use reduced-fat cheese for this recipe.)
4. Cover and bake in a preheated 375-degree F oven for about 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. 

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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