Zucchini season is upon us, and we are happy to share this list of 20 easy zucchini recipes.
You’ll get plenty of ideas for appetizers, lunches, quick dinners, sides, and sweet recipes with zucchini squash. All our recipes are quick to make, healthy, and family-friendly.
Scroll through the list and get inspired by these healthy and wholesome meal ideas for any occasion.
We are sure these vibrant zucchini and squash recipes will satiate and nourish you and your family.
Roasted Zucchini
The first recipe on our list is aromatic roasted zucchini which makes a scrumptious side dish and appetizer.
We stuff them with breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, and olive oil for an irresistible Italian-inspired flavor.
Sautéed Zucchini
Use this sauteed zucchini in pasta or risotto, in a frittata, or on pizza.
You'll want to learn how to cook zucchini in a pan in just about 10 minutes.
Fried Zucchini
Perfectly crispy, juicy, and salty - this fried zucchini recipe is an excellent starter and side dish for summer and autumn.
Serve the zucchini on a platter with marinara sauce, chipotle dip, or tzatziki sauce.
Grilled Zucchini
Grilled zucchini is a great way to enjoy this healthy vegetable on a warm summer evening.
They're tasty, juicy, perfectly charred, and they pair well with grilled protein and barbecue sauce.
Air Fryer Zucchini
Super easy and with less oil, this air fryer zucchini recipe is an excellent side dish for pasta, salads, and protein-rich meals.
You can also serve it as a healthy appetizer with mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, or avocado spread.
Zucchini Salad
Marinate raw zucchini in lemon juice, fresh herbs, and extra virgin olive oil to make this vibrant and aromatic salad.
It's perfect for spring and summer and requires no cooking.
Banana Zucchini Bread
Healthy, breakfast-friendly, and easy to make.
This moist and chocolatey banana zucchini bread is kids-friendly and snack-perfect with walnuts, grated zucchini, and mashed banana.
Mediterranean Farro Salad
Got leftover zucchini and veggies in your fridge, try making this vegetable-packed farro salad,
This grain bowl is a healthy meal with easy roasted veggies served in a flavorful Italian-style salad.
Zucchini Pasta
Vegan or vegetarian, this light zucchini pasta is perfect for summer cookouts and potlucks.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and olive oil for a restaurant-worthy meal at home.
Zucchini Boats
These healthy zucchini boats are filled with a nutritious mix of lentils, herbs, and tangy tomatoes.
Packed with plant-based protein and flavor, they are a tasty and family-friendly way to enjoy the goodness of zucchini.
Zucchini Muffins in 30 minutes
You're gonna love zucchini muffins because they are soft, moist, light, and really tasty.
This recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
Zucchini Soup
If you love zucchini, you will love this velvety, creamy zucchini soup, especially if topped with croutons or white beans.
Serve it as an appetizer or as a side dish - it's a healthier and tastier soup than the store-bought version.
Vegan Zucchini Bread
This recipe strikes a balance between healthy and tasty with grated zucchini, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
We found a formula to make a loaf of moist vegan zucchini bread with less fat and reduced sugar; without compromising flavor.
Zucchini Pesto
Zucchini pesto is a delicious, light, and creamy pesto sauce you can make in 5 minutes with simple ingredients.
Spread it on crostini, bruschetta, or a sandwich, or mix it with pasta for an easy dinner idea.
Vegan frittata
Made with a soft, delicious crust that hugs a vegan but eggy, cheesy, zucchini filling.
It's incredibly satisfying, crispy, and takes just 20 minutes to prepare.
Zucchini Risotto
Vegan or vegetarian, this zucchini risotto is fresh and vibrant and a perfect dinner recipe for spring and summer.
Make it in about 30 minutes with arborio rice, grated zucchini, and your preferred cheese.
Tofu Soup
Zucchini is a healthy addition to soups and adds a refreshing spin to this 20-minute tofu soup.
This tofu soup is made with fresh zucchini and noodles for an Asian takeaway-like meal.
Vegan Zucchini Pie
This vegan zucchini pie is made with a soft delicious crust that hugs an eggy, cheesy, zucchini filling.
Make the pie crust yourself, or buy it ready-made for a super-fast recipe.
Stuffed Zucchini
Try this stuffed zucchini filling of creamy ricotta, savory sundried tomatoes, and crispy breadcrumbs.
It's a delicious appetizer and dinner idea with a healthy balance of textures and tastes, making it a satisfying dish for any occasion.
Couscous with Vegetables
Couscous with vegetables is a healthy and tasty way of enjoying couscous.
This is an easy recipe that you can make in less than 30 minutes with seasonal veggies, lemon vinaigrette, and herbs.
Zucchini Fritters
These wholesome zucchini fritters are not only packed with nutrition but also boast an aromatic taste that kids will adore.
With their crispy exterior and a hidden dose of veggies, these kid-friendly fritters make for a guilt-free snack or meal option.
Barley Salad
We end this zucchini list with a simple, quick, and healthy lunch idea with a tangy mustard dressing.
If you're looking for a colorful and satiating meal that is also lunchbox-friendly, this is it.
How to Cook Zucchini
When in season, from May through late August, we eat fresh zucchini in all kinds of ways. There are numerous simple and easy ways of preparing them.
You can serve them as a side dish, for a quick lunch, or a wholesome dinner; basically, anytime you want to make your meals a little healthier.
Remember to clean and rinse the zucchini before cooking it.
- Leave the skin on and rinse the zucchini or squash under running water, but you don’t need to peel the skin off since it’s highly nutritious and edible.
- Cut off the stem and the woody part on the top of the zucchini. In most cases, there is no need to remove the zucchini seeds unless your squash is so big that it has fully formed seeds. In this case, spoon them out.
- Dry the zucchini before cooking it because zucchini already has high water content, and we don’t want to add more water to it. It will get soggy.
Dry it also if you’re not using it right away. Moisture can significantly shorten zucchini’s shelf life, so pad it dry before storing it in the fridge.
A raw zucchini keeps well for 4-5 days in the fridge.
How to Store Zucchini Recipes
You can generally store cooked zucchini in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
You can eat these recipes cold, at room temperature, or reheat them in the microwave.
What goes well with Zucchini
Zucchini (sauteed, grilled, air-fried, baked) is a healthy side dish that pairs perfectly with most sauces and main dishes:
- Top sauces: choose refreshing and vibrant condiments and dressings, such as pesto and mustard dressing.
- Use in salads: zucchini is also great to use in salads. Add the air fryer or sauteed zucchini to vegan pasta salad, to this creamy tofu salad, or potato salad.
- Best vegetarian recipes: pair your favorite zucchini side with these vegetarian mains.
- Serve next to pasta: serve any of these zucchini sides with one of these vegan pasta recipes.
- Serve with a protein-rich dinner: such as chickpea, grilled protein, or tofu recipes.
More tasty vegetable recipes
If you’re looking to increase your veggie intake, take a peek at these flavor-packed vegetable recipes:
- 10+ easy artichoke recipes with cleaning and preparation tips
- Best asparagus recipes and how to grill, steam, and bake them to perfection
- 25 amazing eggplant recipes that are meltingly tender and nutritious
- Best cauliflower recipes that are comforting and easy to prep
- 25 fantastic mushroom recipes with dinners and easy lunch ideas
- or any of these vegetable side dishes that make your main meal glow.
For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page.
20 Easy Zucchini Recipes
Equipment
- Box grater
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 6 cups (27 oz) zucchini grated with the large holes of a box grater
- 1 teaspoon oregano or thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt or more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces pasta rotini, fusilli, farfalle, penne, or other
- 3 cups vegetable broth start with 2 cups or 500 g and add more if necessary
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated, or dairy-free cheese
- ½ cup greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
- ¼ packed cup basil leaves
Garnish with
- 1 medium lemon the grated zest
- 2 tablespoons pinenuts
Instructions
- Grate the zucchini with the large holes of a box grater.6 cups (27 oz) zucchini
- Warm up olive oil in a large skillet, then add finely chopped onion and fry it for 3 minutes.Add grated garlic and fry for one more minute.Add the shredded zucchini, season them with salt and pepper, and cook on high heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 yellow onion, 4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Add pasta, vegetable broth, and oregano, and cook on medium-low heat for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the pasta is creamy and al dente.1 teaspoon oregano, 12 ounces pasta, 3 cups vegetable broth
- Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the dish.If the pot dries, add more liquid until the pasta is ready.
- Turn the heat off, taste, and adjust for salt.Add grated parmesan cheese (or dairy-free cheese), greek yogurt (or non-dairy yogurt), and a handful of chopped fresh basil.½ cup parmesan cheese, ½ cup greek yogurt, ¼ packed cup basil leaves
- Stir gently until cheese and yogurt melt into the zucchini pasta.
- Serve immediately with grated lemon zest and optionally toasted pine nuts.1 medium lemon, 2 tablespoons pinenuts
Video
Notes
Nutrition
If you liked these zucchini recipes, you might also enjoy:
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Hi! We are Nico & Louise
Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.
Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.
Easy right?