Our Best Zucchini Recipes (2024)

Our Best Zucchini Recipes are delicious, whether you want to eat them fried, stuffed, in a casserole, as an appetizer, side dish, dessert, or main course. These easy zucchini recipes won't disappoint!

Our Best Zucchini Recipes (1)

Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables. Not only is it delicious steamed or pan-fried, but you can put it into so many other dishes. It's a main ingredient in all kinds of sweet and savory dishes. You can't go wrong.

I actually have an extra large space in my garden that's completely devoted to zucchini because I cook with it so much. I can never have too much zucchini because I make main dishes, side dishes, and desserts with this vegetable, and there's nothing better than farm fresh!

Why should you cook with zucchini?

Zucchini is an incredibly versatile vegetable. You'll find zucchini in all manner of both sweet and savory recipes and in all sorts of textures.

Zucchini bread, for example, uses shredded zucchini, as do recipes like zucchini fritters, zucchini muffins, and of course, zucchini bread.

You'll also find zucchini sliced or cubed in various recipes like fried zucchini, zucchini appetizers, vegetarian lasagna, or zucchini casserole.

It's no stretch to say that you can use zucchini in almost any way you like. In fact, somewhere out there, someone probably already has!

Health Benefits

Zucchini is a super-healthy food. It's been called a superfood, in fact, and for good reason. It's packed with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. In one serving, you'll find:

  • Vitamin A - 40% RDI
  • Manganese - 16% RDI
  • Potassium - 13% RDI
  • Magnesium - 10% RDI
  • Vitamin K - 9% RDI
  • Folate - 8% RDI
  • Copper - 8% RDI
  • Phosphorus - 7% RDI
  • Vitamin B6 - 7% RDI
  • Thiamine 5% RDI

Zucchini is also high in antioxidants. These help keep the body healthy and fight cellular degradation and oxidation, keeping the body healthier. Zucchini is particularly high in carotenoids such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, exceptionally powerful antioxidants.

This unassuming vegetable also helps promote digestion, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and according to some studies, can promote heart health, as well.

How to Pick a Ripe Zucchini

It's actually very easy to pick a ripe zucchini. Unlike many other fruits and vegetables that require squeezing, thumping, smelling, and a dozen other tricks, you just have to remember a couple of things with zucchinis.

A perfect zucchini will be no longer than 6 to 8 inches. They should be firm and free of nicks and cuts. If you pick a zucchini, and it feels a bit bristly with what feels like tiny hairs, then congratulations, you found the absolute freshest zucchini possible.

Why does this vegetable work in so many recipes?

Zucchini works so well in so many different kinds of recipes because it has a very mild flavor. It's so mild, in fact, that zucchini tends to take on the flavor of whatever it's cooked with. This makes it the perfect addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

With zucchini, you can add body, texture, and moisture to a dish without drastically changing its flavor as some other ingredients can.

When made into low-carb noodles, zucchini is the perfect neutral flavor to pair with any pasta sauce. Shredded, it makes the perfect addition to sweet dishes like quickbread, cakes, and other baked goods because it adds moisture and body without a strong flavor.

Of course, its flavor can shine when it's cooked on its own or as part of a simple appetizer with only a few ingredients.

Why You'll Love These Recipes

There's really so much to love about all of these zucchini recipes. From casseroles to appetizers and everything in between, you'll find so many reasons to love them.

  • Zucchini is a versatile and affordable vegetable.
  • These recipes are all very easy to make.
  • The ingredients are simple and easy to find.
  • These recipes explode with flavor and texture.

Best Zucchini Recipes for Any Occasion

And here we are - our best zucchini recipes. These range from appetizers and snacks to desserts and casseroles, and there's something for everyone to love on this list.

Whether you're making a side dish for baked chicken, serving up appetizers for game day, or you need a super tasty sweet treat, you're going to find something on this list.

Cheesy Zucchini Fritters

Crispy Cheesy Zucchini Fritters, Pancakes, Patties or Bites are so tasty, baked or fried, with Parmesan or feta, this appetizer or side recipe is amazing!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (2)

Easy Stuffing Zucchini Casserole

Our favorite stuffing zucchini casserole will be your favorite, too! This simple vegetable casserole is loaded with flavorful ingredients yet easy enough to cook for weeknights or an easy holiday side dish.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (3)

Sauteed Zucchini and Onions

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy side dish, sautéed zucchini and onions is an excellent choice. This dish highlights the flavors of fresh zucchini, but allows for the natural sweetness of onions to shine. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful side dish perfect for any main course.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (4)

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

Zucchini chocolate chip muffins with cream cheese frosting are so good. They're a yummy way to use up all of your summer zucchini and make the perfect treat anytime of day.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (5)

Old-Fashioned Zucchini Squash Casserole

My Granny's old-fashioned zucchini squash casserole was a recipe she relied on to use up squash, carrots, and other veggies from her garden. It's so easy to make and is perfect for family dinners or holidays!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (6)

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Easy Zucchini Pizza Bites are tasty, low carb, keto, oven baked, frugal snack. Who can resist such an easy, cheesy, zucchini pepperoni pizza rounds recipe?

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (7)

Ginger Beef or Chicken with Zucchini and Snap Peas

Ginger Beef or Chicken with Zucchini and Snap Peas is a perfect weeknight dinner! Beef or chicken and your favorite vegetables. The sauce is divine!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (8)

Taco Zucchini Beef and Pork Skillet

Taco Zucchini Beef and Pork Skillet is fast, easy and fabulous! A great way to use up vegetables. Comforting and hearty and served with a side of rice or in a burrito, this Taco dish never looked so good!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (9)

Mom’s Zucchini Casserole

Mom’s Best Zucchini Casserole recipe is a super easy, old fashioned, vegetable casserole with sour cream, stuffing mix, shredded carrots and so much more!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (10)

Zucchini Flatbread

Zucchini flatbread uses spiralized zucchini, garlic, pesto, parmesan cheese topped with feta cheese and sliced sun dried tomatoes served hot or cold.

Our Best Zucchini Recipes (11)

Baked Italian Zucchini Casserole

This Baked Italian Zucchini Casserole is an easy and delicious vegetable side! The crunchy, cheesy topping finishes this casserole off beautifully!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (12)

Cheesy Zucchini Potato Pancakes

Cheesy Zucchini Potato Pancakes or Vegetable Fritters are easy to make and require few ingredients. These tasty potatoes are a vegan, keto dieter's dream! The perfect appetizer or side dish!

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (13)

Pork Chop Zucchini Casserole

Pork Chop Zucchini Casserole and is a fabulous one pan meal! If you love stuffing you will love this pork chop casserole, so delicious and so easy.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (14)

Meaty Zucchini Casserole

This Meaty Zucchini Casserole or Bake recipe, with the best shredded zucchini base, or pizza crust, uses cheese, ground beef or hamburger, chicken and more.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (15)

Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed zucchini boats with ground beef are a great family meal. This stuffed zucchini boat recipe is easy to make and oh, so good.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (16)

Parmesan Zucchini Bites - Air Fried, Baked or Deep Fried

Whether you air fry, pan fry or bake these easy Crispy Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Crisps or Chips, they are perfect for dipping and an amazing snack.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (17)

Easy Zucchini Pizza Boats

Easy Zucchini Pizza Boats are stuffed with your favorite pizza toppings, baked, low carb and keto too! The perfect delicious snack, appetizer or small meal.

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (18)

Try All of These Zucchini Recipe Favorites

From flatbread and skillets to appetizers and stuffed boats of deliciousness, there's a recipe on this list that you're going to absolutely love.

Even if you're not zucchini obsessed like I am, I can almost guarantee that you'll love all of these recipes. Give them a try and find out for yourself!

Our Best Zucchini Recipes (19)

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Our Best Zucchini Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat zucchini? ›

It tastes fantastic in pastas, tacos, salads, and even chocolate cake! You can grill it, bake it, sauté it, and also eat it raw. We might feel like we've cooked it in every way known to man, but there are always more zucchini recipes to try. Below, you'll find 30 easy zucchini recipes that I turn to every summer.

How do you keep zucchini crisp when cooking? ›

The secret to zucchini with the best flavor and texture is roasting it in a 450°F oven. Roasting zucchini at a high temperature instead of baking or sautéing helps develop browning and a slight char on the outside, which keeps it from getting soggy.

Why do you salt zucchini before cooking? ›

Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

Does zucchini last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

Do Store Fresh Zucchini in the Fridge. If properly stored, zucchini will last up to a week. The best way to store zucchini is in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper drawer where humidity is kept to a minimum.

Can I freeze whole zucchini? ›

We're sometimes asked, "Can I freeze a whole zucchini?" You certainly can, but it will be much more challenging to thaw and use later. (Imagine trying to shred a soggy whole thawed squash.) So instead, we recommend tackling the shape in advance so you can put the frozen zucchini to quick use when you're ready.

What happens to your body when you eat zucchini? ›

Zucchini is rich in vitamin B6. Research suggests that this vitamin can help with regulating blood glucose. The vitamin may even play a protective role against diabetes. Compounds such as lutein and zeaxanthin protect the eye's cells by filtering blue light wavelengths.

What is the healthiest way to eat zucchini? ›

10 Healthy Zucchini Recipes
  1. Sautéed Julienned Summer Vegetables.
  2. Zucchini Pasta Recipe with Avocado-Cucumber Sauce.
  3. Zucchini Muffins.
  4. Baked Healthy Zucchini Chips.
  5. Garlic Roasted Zucchini.
  6. Zucchini Healthy Breakfast Scramble.
  7. Curried Zucchini Cakes.
  8. Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza.
Aug 9, 2013

How do you cook zucchini without getting soggy? ›

Rub whole zucchinis with olive oil, salt, and pepper and then put them straight onto the grates of the grill over medium-high direct heat. When they get a bit blackened underneath (4-6 minutes), roll them over. Cook them until there are more black marks underneath, a few more minutes.

How can I enhance the flavor of zucchini? ›

You can season the oil before you add the zucchini with garlic, shallots, spices, or red pepper flakes, it's totally up to you. Once the oil, butter, or combination thereof is heated, add all of the zucchini. If the pan seems crowded at first, don't worry. Season with salt and toss to begin drawing out the moisture.

Why is my sauteed zucchini soggy? ›

Zucchini is made of over 90% water. When cooked, it gets soft and slowly releases that water into whatever dish you're cooking. If zucchini is overcooked, it will have a mushy, soft texture. In certain recipes, the author may recommend that zucchini be patted dry or salted and drained before cooking.

Why is my baked zucchini bitter? ›

When exposed to environmental stress, poor soil pH, or poor soil nutrition, zucchinis trigger the production of cucurbitacin, a natural phytonutrient that helps the plant overcome stress but consequently results in the unwanted bitter taste.

How long do you let salt sit on zucchini? ›

Otherwise, slicing with a knife is fine too. Sprinkle the 2 tsp of salt on the zucchini as you go and allow the zucchini slices to sit in a colander or for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, run two fingers on either side of the slices, squeezing all the way down over a bowl or the sink, releasing even more water.

How long do you leave salt on zucchini? ›

Place the zucchini on a plate and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt. Let sit for 15 minutes. Once the zucchini has sat, they will have released some of their water content. Use a paper towel to pat them dry.

Can you freeze fresh zucchini from the garden? ›

Yes, you can freeze zucchini without blanching it first. However, if you blanch it first, it will help deactivate the enzymes that can make it more mushy and discolored. The thawed zucchini may be less than ideal. Whether or not you leave seeds in the zucchini before freezing it won't make that much of a difference.

How do you preserve zucchini? ›

Cut into 1/4 inch slices or 1/3 inch slices for chips. Dry at 125oF until brittle. Dried zucchini should be stored in a moisture-proof container in a dark, dry place. It will keep for a year.

Is it better to freeze or canning zucchini? ›

Freezing is the best option for safely preserving zucchini. At a recent food preservation class, the topic of preserving zucchini was discussed. Participants asked why canning zucchini was not recommended.

Should I separate my zucchini plants? ›

Whether you choose to buy seedlings or plant zucchini seeds directly in your garden, you should group two to three plants close together for best pollination. Plus, hilling allows you to dig compost in to the soil.

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