Welcome to our collection of 25 easy zucchini recipes that showcase the versatility of this green summer squash in savory and sweet preparations.

Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, or a satisfying dinner, zucchini can be the star or a nutritious supporting ingredient.

Easy Zucchini recipes with dinner and breakfast ideas

These recipes, from healthy breakfast ideas and quick lunches to refreshing saladspasta, and grain bowls, will help you make the most of this summer squash.

We’ve also included easy dessert ideas that showcase zucchini’s ability to add moisture and nutrition to baked goods.

Each meal on this list is designed to be simple and approachable, perfect for busy weeknights and lazy weekends.

So grab your grater, spiralizer, or chef’s knife and explore the delicious world of zucchini recipes.

Zucchini dinner recipes

1. Roasted Zucchini

Roasted zucchini and a silver spatula

The first recipe on our list is aromatic roasted zucchini, making a delicious side dish and appetizer.

We stuff them with breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, and olive oil for an irresistible Italianinspired flavor.

2. Fried zucchini

Fried zucchini with a serving of marinara sauce

Perfectly crispyjuicy, 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 saucechipotle dip, or tzatziki sauce.

3. Stuffed zucchini

stuffed zucchini with ricotta on a white plate

Try this stuffed zucchini filling of creamy ricotta, savory sundried tomatoes, and crispy breadcrumbs.

It’s a delicious appetizer and light dinner idea. Its healthy balance of textures and tastes makes it a satisfying dish for any occasion.

4. Air fryer zucchini

Air fryer zucchini on a plate with lemon wedge

Super easy and with less oil, this air fryer zucchini recipe is an excellent side dish for pastasalads, and proteinrich meals.

You can also serve it as a healthy appetizer with mayonnaise, chipotle sauce, or avocado spread.

5. Zucchini boats

zucchini boats on a plate with tzatziki and parsley

These healthy zucchini boats have a nutritious mix of lentils, herbs, and tangy tomatoes.

Packed with plantbased protein and flavor, zucchini boats are a tasty, familyfriendly way to enjoy the goodness of zucchini.

6. Zucchini soup

Zucchini soup with beans and a spoon

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 a side dish – a healthier and tastier soup than the store-bought version.

7. Zucchini pasta

Zucchini Past with fork and pine nuts

Vegan or vegetarian, this light zucchini pasta is excellent for cookouts and potlucks.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and olive oil for a restaurantworthy meal at home.

8. Sautรจed zucchini

Sauteed Zucchini pasta

Use this sauteed zucchini in pasta or risotto, frittata, or pizza.

You’ll learn to cook zucchini in a pan in about 10 minutes.

9. Grilled zucchini

grilled zucchini on white plate

Grilled zucchini is a great way to enjoy this healthy vegetable on a warm summer evening.

They’re tastyjuicyperfectly charred, and pair well with grilled protein and barbecue sauce.

10. Zucchini salad

zucchini salad served on hummus

To make this vibrant and aromatic salad, marinate raw zucchini in lemon juice, fresh herbs, and extra virgin olive oil.

It’s perfect for spring and summer, requires no cooking, and makes a beautiful appetizer when served on a bed of creamy hummus.

11. Easy zucchini fritters

Zucchini fritters with flaky sea salt

These wholesome zucchini fritters are nutritious and boast an aromatic taste that the whole family will love.

With their crispy exterior and a hidden dose of veggies, these cakes make for a guiltfree snack and meatless meal idea.

12. Zucchini pesto

vegan zucchini pesto with pasta

Zucchini pesto is a delicious, light, and creamy 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.

13. Zucchini risotto

Zucchini Risotto with fork

This zucchini risotto is fresh, light, and an excellent dinner recipe for spring and summer.

Make it in about 30 minutes with arborio rice, grated zucchini, and your preferred cheese.

14. Grated zucchini focaccia

zucchini focaccia slices

This crispy focaccia with grated zucchini is one of the best ways of eating zucchini.

Learn more about making the best and easiest focaccia with our no-knead focaccia recipe.

15. Zucchini pie

zucchini pie recipe on a plate

This vegan zucchini pie with a delicious crust hugs an eggy, cheesy zucchini filling.

Make the pie crust yourself, or buy it ready-made for a quick pie recipe.

16. Baked parmesan zucchini

Baked parmesan zucchini

Baked parmesan zucchini is a quick and easy appetizer or side dish made with olive oil, dried herbssaltblack pepper, and grated parmesan.

You can make them in less than half an hour; everyone at the table will take seconds.

17. Vegetable couscous

couscous with vegetables served in a large bowl

Couscous with vegetables is a healthy and tasty way of enjoying a Mediterranean meal.

You can make This easy recipe in less than 30 minutes with seasonal veggies, lemon vinaigrette, and herbs.

18. Vegan frittata

vegan frittata with zucchini

It made this egg-free frittata with a softdelicious crust that hugs a vegan cheesy zucchini filling.

It’s satisfying, crispy, excellent for potlucks, and takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

19. Tofu soup

tofu soup recipe with white spoon

Zucchini is a healthy addition to soups and adds a refreshing spin to this 20minute tofu recipe.

This tofu soup is made with fresh zucchini and noodles for an Asian takeawaylike meal.

20. Fregola pasta

Creamy fregola in a bowl with a hand

Here, weโ€™ll show you how to cook it in one pot in 30 minutes with mixed vegetables, broth, herbs, and cheese for an easy, creamy, and protein-rich meal.

Youโ€™ll love this cooking method because itโ€™s easy and produces a creamy pasta dish.

21. Mediterranean farro salad

mediterranean farro salad

If you have leftover zucchini and veggies in your fridge, try making this vegetablepacked farro salad,

This grain bowl is a healthy meal with easy roasted veggies in a flavorful Italianstyle salad.

22. Barley salad

Barley salad on a platter with a side of hummus

The following zucchini recipe is a simple, quick, healthy lunch idea: Mediterranean barley salad.

If you’re looking for a colorful and satiating meal that is also lunchboxfriendly, this is it.

Zucchini dessert recipes

23. Zucchini muffins

Zucchini muffins after baking

You’ll love zucchini muffins because they are softmoistlight, and tasty.

This recipe is easy to make in 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

24. Vegan zucchini bread

Vegan Zucchini Bread cut into slices

This recipe balances healthy and tasty with grated zucchini, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

We found a formula for making moist vegan zucchini bread with less fat and reduced sugar without compromising flavor.

25. Zucchini banana bread

Banana Zucchini bread with chocolate chips on a cutting board

Do you have extra zucchini lying around your kitchen and have run out of ways of cooking them?

Make banana zucchini bread, the perfect intersection between banana bread and zucchini bread.

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:

BBQ sauce with vegetables and a sausage
BBQ sauce served with grilled zucchini, air-fried veggies, grilled tofu, and plant-based sausage.

More tasty vegetable recipes

If you’re looking to increase your veggie intake, take a peek at these flavor-packed vegetable recipes:

For many more side dish ideas, check out our sides category page.

Easy Zucchini recipes with savory and sweet ideas

25 Easy Zucchini Recipes

5 from 4 votes
Get green and fresh dinner inspiration from these easy and healthy zucchini recipes.
Zucchini pasta, as in pasta with zucchini, is a creamy and easy one-pot recipe to have as a tasty weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main
Cuisine: American Italian

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
  • ยฝ 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
  • ยฝ cup parmesan cheese grated, or dairy-free cheese
  • ยฝ cup greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
  • ยผ 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
    grated 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, ยฝ teaspoon black pepper
    Skillet with grated zucchini
  • 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
    pasta and grated zucchini in a skillet
  • 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.
    pasta, zucchini and vegetable broth
  • 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.
    ยฝ cup parmesan cheese, ยฝ cup greek yogurt, ยผ packed cup basil leaves
    yogurt, parmesan cheese and zucchini pasta
  • Stir gently until cheese and yogurt melt into the zucchini pasta.
    Zucchini Pasta ready to serve
  • Serve immediately with grated lemon zest and optionally toasted pine nuts.
    1 medium lemon, 2 tablespoons pinenuts
    Zucchini Pasta with a fork

Video

20-minute Zucchini Pasta

Notes

Nutritional informationย is an estimate for 1 large serving of zucchini pasta out of 4 servings.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Green zucchini:ย sub globe zucchini, yellow crookneck, yellow squash, grey zucchini, or other.
Pasta:ย you can use any pasta shape.
Extra virgin olive oil:ย sub another vegetable oil.
Oregano:ย sub dried oregano, fresh or dried thyme, or Italian seasoning.
Vegetable broth:ย sub water and more salt.
Parmesan:ย sub pecorino romano or a non-dairy cheese.
Greek yogurt:ย sub non-dairy yogurt, butter, or non-dairy butter.
Pine nuts:ย sub pistachios, chopped almonds, or walnuts.
MAKE AHEAD & STORAGE
Make ahead:ย this one’s not a good recipe to make ahead as the pasta loses its oomph soon after it’s cooked.
Refrigerator:ย let the pasta cool down completely at room temperature, then transfer it into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for two days.
Reheat:ย warm leftovers in the microwave. Do not reheat multiple times, as the pasta will overcook.
Freezer:ย this recipe is not suitable for freezing.
ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 528kcal, Carbohydrates: 77g, Protein: 21g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Potassium: 683mg, Dietary Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 398IU, Vitamin B6: 0.4mg, Vitamin C: 39mg, Vitamin E: 2mg, Vitamin K: 20ยตg, Calcium: 208mg, Folate: 56ยตg, Iron: 3mg, Manganese: 2mg, Magnesium: 94mg, Zinc: 3mg
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Nico and Louise in front of the Consolazione church in Todi

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?

5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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