Here are all the best zucchini recipes for the season! There’s something for everyone, from simple side dishes to bread, muffins and cake.
Got zucchini to use up? We’ve got your back! Here are all the very best zucchini recipes to make! These work in any season, whether you’ve got a boatload of this summer veggie or just bought some at the store. There are so many ways to enjoy this mighty green veggie.
Zucchini works with both savory and sweet flavors, so there’s a little something for everyone here. Start with mind blowing sauteed zucchini full of Italian flavor. Then bake up a batch of the best zucchini bread and muffins. And don’t forget chocolate zucchini cake! This veggie makes an unforgettably rich and moist cake everyone will be talking about.
And now…the best zucchini recipes to try!
If zucchini doesn’t sound like a vegetable to sing praises about…you haven’t met this zucchini recipe. Yes, this really is the perfect sauteed zucchini. Just 10 minutes in a hot pan and this vegetable goes from tasteless to tender! Oregano and garlic make a pop of savory flavor, and grated Parmesan cheese takes it over the top. It’s beyond easy, and one of the best zucchini recipes we’ve had.
One of our favorite zucchini recipes is baked zucchini! It’s the opposite of soggy or slimy: coat this tasty veggie lightly with breadcrumbs and a little Parmesan cheese. Even better, it’s not so labor intensive as zucchini fries (where you dip in flour and egg): so you get the best of both worlds! Pop it in the oven and it’s a tasty and easy side dish for summer meals.
We cracked the code to the perfect Zucchini Lasagna! You might not share our elation if you haven’t attempted a no noodle lasagna before. It’s easy to spend lots of effort and end up with a watery mess. But not with this recipe! This zucchini lasagna alternates beautiful layers of roasted zucchini noddles, hearty garlicky tomato sauce and three gooey cheeses. It tastes as good–or better–than a classic lasagna! In fact, we might pick it over the classic.
Yep, we think it’s one of the best zucchini bread recipes out there! What makes it the best? Well, it’s the perfect texture: moist, but not oily. And it’s got the best flavor: cinnamon-scented, with just the right sweetness. To us, it’s everything that a zucchini bread should be!
What’s more homey than squash and zucchini casserole? It’s got the vibe of Sunday dinners and summer evenings where the sun stretches into the late evening. This one is packed with flavor and quickly disappeared in our house. A light Parmesan sauce covers the tender squash, and it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs. It’s a cozy casserole that’s not too rich and heavy.
Zucchini and squash give us those nostalgic vibes of summer dinners on the patio. So here’s a recipe that that makes the best of summer’s bounty: Roasted Zucchini and Squash! These vegetables go hand in hand with Italian-style herbs like oregano and basil. Topped with a bit of melty Parmesan cheese, they’re absolute perfection! This recipe is very easy to make, and you can whip up the rest of your meal while it bakes.
Sure, you’ve heard of the Ratatouille movie: but do you know what ratatouille actually is? This humble dish that’s not anything like it’s glamorized movie version. This classic French dish of stewed late summer vegetables is anything but fancy, but it’s a darn good way to use eggplant! Dollop with pistou, the French version of pesto.
Turns out, zucchini is at its best when it’s grilled. Throw thin slices on the grill and it comes out tender and charred, with an irresistibly smoky flavor! And if you combine with Italian-style flavors like basil, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder: well, it’s sensational! Zucchini might be best known for zucchini bread: but we thinks grilled zucchini should be at the top of its greatest hits too.
Also try: Grilled Zucchini and Squash
Another of the best zucchini recipes around: muffins! These are at the top of our list. This recipe has Greek yogurt: it's a healthy spin that works for breakfast or a snack. Instead of sugar and oil laden, the yogurt keeps them moist and they're sweetened with just enough turbinado sugar. It also adds a tasty crunch to the top of the muffins!
Hang onto your seats, chocolate lovers. Are you ready for a supremely delicious cake recipe? Because have we got one for you! This chocolate zucchini cake is rich, chocolaty, and irresistibly good. It’s an inventive way to eat real, whole foods in dessert form (and it's gluten free and dairy free, too.) This cake has gone on to be a family favorite in our household. The zucchini makes it ultra moist, and it’s gooey and just sweet enough. Truly a stunner!
Vegetarian stuffed zucchini is a genius way to make a filling vegetarian main dish out of this green vegetable! Grill up the zucchini boats to make them irresistibly charred and smoky. Then fill them with Italian-style: lemon basil quinoa, red pepper, and mozzarella cheese. It makes an extraordinarily tasty grilled dinner recipe.
Want a healthy muffin for breakfasts and snacks? These healthy zucchini muffins are made with only oats: no flour! The oats make it like eating a bowl of oatmeal instead of a cupcake. And guess what? They taste incredible too. Also try: Apple Zucchini Muffins
Last up in our favorite zucchini recipes to make: zucchini ribbon salad! Slice zucchini into long, thin ribbons, then cover them in a simple vinaigrette. With flavors of garlic, Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, it's unique and everything summer.
Sauteed Zucchini (Perfectly Seasoned!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Here’s how to make the BEST sauteed zucchini that will have everyone talking! Just 10 minutes in a hot pan makes this green vegetable truly irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 pounds zucchini (2 medium large or 3 to 4 small)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Finely chopped fresh basil, if desired (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
- In your largest skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium high heat. Add the zucchini slices, then stir in the garlic powder, oregano, and salt, flipping and stirring to get all the slices covered.
- Cover the skillet and cook for 1 minute, then uncover and stir. Cover again for 1 minute and uncover and stir, moving slices to the bottom layer as necessary so that they can get browned.
- Keep the pan uncovered and cook about 6 to 8 more minutes until most of the zucchini are tender and browned, continuing to flip the zucchini and move them to the bottom layer so they cook evenly.
- Serve immediately, topped with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sauteed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Keywords: Zucchini Recipes, Easy Zucchini Recipes, Healthy Zucchini Recipes
More summer vegetables
Zucchini is a quintessential summer vegetable that’s everything summer! Here are a few more tasty recipes that are perfect for highlighting summer veggies:
- Classic Corn Salad A refreshing way to enjoy sweet corn season!
- Caprese Salad THE best way to enjoy summer tomatoes: with fresh basil and mozzarella cheese.
- Black Eyed Pea Salad Throw a peach into this tasty vegan salad with bell peppers and fresh cilantro.
- Broccoli Salad or Broccoli Slaw Those classic summer salads: re-done with a healthy twist.
- Fresh Tomato Salad Marinade tomatoes with balsamic vinegar for the biggest, best flavor.
- Pesto Pasta with Tomatoes Fresh basil pesto, combined with pasta and tomatoes.
- Watermelon Salad with Cucumber The best way to enjoy this sweet summer fruit and cool veggie.
Last updated: August 2020