Soft Cheesy Loaf

Featured in: Homemade Bread

Packed with shredded zucchini and aged cheddar, this tender loaf is full of flavor and moisture. Garlic butter on top gives it a savory kick. Perfect for pairing with soups or making outstanding grilled cheese sandwiches. An easy way to bake veggies into something delicious.
punchofyummy
Updated on Sat, 22 Mar 2025 21:00:10 GMT
Sliced zucchini loaf with a golden crust sits on a wooden board next to a zucchini. Pin it
Sliced zucchini loaf with a golden crust sits on a wooden board next to a zucchini. | pinchofyummy.com

My family fell in love with this Cheeseburger Pie from the first time I played around with it in my kitchen. It wraps up everything tasty about a juicy burger and turns it into a homey pie that's just right for nights when you want something comforting without any hassle. Everyone smiles when they see how the cheese sinks into that seasoned beef during baking.

What's Special About This Dish

Imagine your favorite burger wrapped in something warm and cozy. That's exactly what you get here. I picked this up from my mother who got inventive one evening when burger cravings hit but we didn't want to deal with grilling. There's something magical about that mix of hearty beef under melty cheese with that soft, custardy mixture on top.

What You'll Need

  • Ground Beef: Go for the lean stuff to avoid a greasy pie. You won't regret it.
  • Onions: The sweet yellow kind really boost the flavor as they soften with the meat.
  • Cheese: I always pick sharp cheddar. It gets wonderfully gooey in the heat.
  • Milk and Eggs: They team up to make that special custardy top that makes this dish stand out.
  • Flour: Just a bit to keep everything nicely together.
  • Seasonings: Some salt, pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire for that true burger flavor.

Step By Step Guide

Fire Up Your Oven
Heat things up to 400°F. This temp gives you that beautiful golden crust on top.
Cook Your Base
First, soften those onions then mix in your beef. Let it cook about 8 minutes until nicely browned. Now's when you add those tasty seasonings.
Layer Everything
Take a 9-inch pie dish, give it a quick oil spray, then spread your meat mix inside. Scatter all that cheese right on top.
Create The Top
Stir together your eggs, milk, butter and flour until it's all smooth, then pour it over everything else. This becomes that wonderful top layer.
Into The Oven
Let it bake around 25 minutes. You'll know it's done when the top turns golden and doesn't jiggle.

Where It All Started

It makes me smile thinking about how this first showed up on Bisquick packages way back when. Mom made it during my childhood and now it's one of those dishes that brings back such nice memories. I've changed things here and there to suit my taste, but it still carries that same warm feeling that made it a hit from the start.

Add Your Own Twist

Try throwing in some crunchy bacon pieces or diced pickles for a real burger feel. My kids can't get enough of the version with mushrooms added, while my husband loves when I mix in diced jalapenos. You can even switch the beef for turkey if you're watching what you eat. There's so many ways to change it up.

Ready To Eat

We like to put all our favorite burger extras on the table. A little ketchup, some yellow mustard, or my tasty burger sauce that I'll show you another time. Add a simple green salad or some cooked veggies on the side and you've got a complete meal.

Fast Facts

Out of Bisquick? Don't worry, just mix some flour, baking powder and butter.
What meat works best? Regular beef is great but turkey tastes wonderful too.
Can you save it? Sure thing, cover it well and freeze for up to 3 months.
How long to cook? Around 25-30 minutes at 400°F works perfectly.
Need a healthier version? Just use lower-fat cheese, leaner meat and toss in extra vegetables.

A freshly baked zucchini bread topped with melted cheese, sliced and served on a wooden cutting board, accompanied by whole zucchinis. Pin it
A freshly baked zucchini bread topped with melted cheese, sliced and served on a wooden cutting board, accompanied by whole zucchinis. | pinchofyummy.com

Nutritional Benefits

You'll get about 25 grams of protein in every slice, enough to keep hunger away. It's not exactly a salad, but with lean meat and lots of veggies mixed in, it's pretty balanced. If you're watching calories, just take a smaller piece and fill up with extra vegetables.

Healthier Versions

Looking to cut back? I often swap in ground turkey and it tastes just as good. You can sneak some grated zucchini or chopped peppers in for extra nutrients. Friends who can't have gluten love when I skip the crust completely, and it still turns out amazing.

Storage Tips

Make sure your pie cools all the way before you put it away. It'll keep in the fridge for about 3 days, though at my house it never sticks around that long. When you want some, warm it up in a 350°F oven or microwave a piece if you're in a rush.

What To Drink With It

Something cool and refreshing works best with this. Try a tall glass of iced tea or some sparkling water with a lemon wedge if you want to feel a bit fancy. My husband likes having his with a cold root beer, just like he would with a regular burger.

The Secret To Success

This dish really shines because it captures all the burger goodness in one easy, comforting meal. It's quick enough for busy weeknights but still feels special when friends come over. And since you can change it so many ways, almost everyone can enjoy it no matter what they like or don't eat.

A freshly baked zucchini bread is sliced, revealing a moist interior with melted cheese on top, alongside a whole zucchini. Pin it
A freshly baked zucchini bread is sliced, revealing a moist interior with melted cheese on top, alongside a whole zucchini. | pinchofyummy.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should I drain the zucchini?
Draining the zucchini removes extra liquid so the loaf stays light and doesn’t get soggy.
→ Can I swap out the cheese?
Cheddar is the best option, but firm cheeses like Monterey Jack or Colby work too. Avoid soft cheeses—they’ll add too much moisture.
→ What’s the best way to store it?
Keep it in a sealed container at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Use the freezer for longer storage—up to 3 months.
→ Is the butter topping required?
Not at all! Garlic butter boosts the flavor, but the loaf tastes great even without it.
→ Why flour the cheese first?
It helps the cheese stay evenly spread and prevents it from sinking to the bottom.

Cheesy Zucchini Loaf

This soft zucchini loaf has a mix of cheddar cheese and fresh zucchini, with a garlic butter finish. Works great as a sandwich base or a side dish.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Amelia

Category: Homemade Bread

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (1 loaf (9x5 inches))

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 cups grated cheddar cheese.
02 1 3/4 cups plain flour.
03 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
04 1 tablespoon baking powder.
05 1/2 teaspoon finely ground salt.
06 1 large egg.
07 1 cup whole milk.
08 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted.
09 1/8 teaspoon chunky salt.
10 1 cup drained, shredded zucchini.
11 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes.
12 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
13 1/8 teaspoon onion powder.
14 1/4 cup extra melted butter for spreading.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F to preheat. Coat a 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick spray, ensuring all sides and corners are covered properly.

Step 02

Stir together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a mixing bowl. Toss in cheese so it's evenly covered with the dry mix.

Step 03

In a second bowl, whisk zucchini (squeezed dry), milk, melted butter, and egg. Pour this liquid into your dry ingredients.

Step 04

Blend everything together gently, avoiding overmixing. Pour the batter into the pan and even out the top.

Step 05

Bake for about 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center pulls out clean.

Step 06

Mix garlic powder, parsley, onion powder, salt, and some melted butter together. Brush this onto the bread when it's fresh and hot from the oven.

Step 07

Cool the loaf in the pan for 5 minutes. Then carefully transfer it onto a rack to cool off completely.

Notes

  1. Get rid of extra liquid from zucchini by squeezing it before adding.
  2. Toss cheese in flour so it won't sink to the bottom.
  3. Perfect for sides or sandwich-making.

Tools You'll Need

  • Loaf pan (9x5 size).
  • Bowls for mixing.
  • Cooling rack for loaf.
  • Oven.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.
  • Contains eggs.
  • Made with wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 274
  • Total Fat: 19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 10 g