66 Sweet & Savory Zucchini Recipes, For Everything From Apps To Dessert (2024)

Summer is looong—we're making sure you never run out of zucchini recipes.

By Camille Lowder
66 Sweet & Savory Zucchini Recipes, For Everything From Apps To Dessert (1)

Summertime is when the quality of our fave green summer squash really shines, and it becomes apparent zucchini can be great for more than just zoodles (though we love those too). That said, we’re big fans of zucchini all year long, and not just because they’re an incredible low-carb substitute (second only to superstar cauliflower). Whether you’re new to the vegetable, have a huge summertime bounty you’re trying to get through, or are just looking for some zucchini inspiration, we’ve got a recipe for you. Check out our 66 zucchini recipes for ideas—there’s everything from appetizers to dinners to dessert (really!).

We bet you’re familiar with green zucchini squash, but did you know there are actually a ton of different kinds of summer squash? In addition to green zucchini, there’s yellow squash, costata romanesco (not to be confused with romesco sauce), yellow and grey (sort of light green) zucchini, crookneck and straightneck squash, patty pan, and more. They’re largely interchangeable (though patty pan is a different shape), and you can swap them in and out for these recipes. Who knows, you might find a new favorite!

Let’s start with the basics: you can sauté, grill, or bake zucchini, all to great effect. From there, you can truly use it in anything. Looking for appetizers? Try our spinach artichoke zucchini bites, our air fryer loaded zucchini skins, our air fryer squash, or our cool ranch zucchini chips. Want something low-key for lunch? Try our zucchini grilled cheese, our zucchini salad, our burrito zoodles, or our zucchini taco shells. Looking for a more substantial dinner? You gotta go stuffed zucchini or foil packs. We’re filling ours with all kinds of ingredients, like Italian sausage, , or burrito-fillings in our zucchini boats, or honey mustard chicken or honey-chipotle salmon in our foil packs. Zucchini makes for a great condiment too, like in our zucchini pickles or zucchini relish. You can even use it in dessert! There’s zucchini bread, of course, but we’re also sneaking it into chocolate chip cookies and zucchini brownies too. They’re a great way to sneak some greens into your (or your kids’) diet.

Want more summertime fruit and veggie inspiration? Check out our peach recipes, our eggplant recipes, our savory pineapple recipes (and pineapple desserts), and our tomato recipes too.

1

Zucchini Lattice Lasagna

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Yes, classic lasagna is delicious, but when we're craving something a tad less carb-heavy, we turn to this summery zucchini version. Pro tip: Zucchini releases a good amount of water, so we like to dab it with a paper towel when the lasagna is done cooking, and then broil until the cheese is bubbly and crispy. 😍

Get the Zucchini Lattice Lasagna recipe.

2

Zucchini Fries

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Light and crispy fried zucchini is one of our favorite Italian appetizers to order out. Deep-frying them at home? Not so much. Instead, these zucchini fries are packed full of the flavor you love without a drop of oil.

Get the Zucchini Fries recipe.

3

Ratatouille Casserole

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Ratatouille, a classic end of summer dish from the South of France that features our favorite late-season produce, takes on a new form in this beautiful spiraled casserole that's easier than it looks.

Get the Ratatouille Casserole recipe.

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4

Zucchini Bread

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Though zucchini bread sometimes feels like the forgotten cousin of banana bread, we’re here to say—come summertime, this squash-filled quick bread deserves its time in the spotlight.

Get the Zucchini Bread recipe.

5

Air Fryer Loaded Zucchini Skins

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These loaded zucchini skins are a fresh twist on potato skins. They're stuffed with cheddar, tomato, and avocado for intense flavor you're gonna love.

Get the Air Fryer Loaded Zucchini Skins recipe.

6

Caramelized Lemon & Zucchini Pasta

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This is our “I feel like cooking with a glass of wine in hand” pasta. Boiling the lemons first will help get rid of the excess bitterness, and you can use the same pot of water to cook your pasta in, so really, it barely feels like an extra step (so don't skip it!).

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7

Grilled Zucchini

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Zucchini is one of our favorite vegetables to grill in the summer. Why? It's healthy, it's easy, and it cooks SO FAST. This recipe takes just 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish!

Get the Grilled Zucchini recipe.

8

Spinach Artichoke Zucchini Bites

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These little guys are the perfect healthy summer appetizer. As the zucchini becomes tender, the spinach and artichoke topping gets nice and melty. If you want a little extra color on your bites, switch the oven to broil on medium and cook them a couple minutes more. (Just keep an eye on them.)

Get the Spinach Artichoke Zucchini Bites recipe.

9

Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole

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There are few things zucchini can't do, it seems. Here, the summer squash is standing in for corn tortillas in this lightened-up enchilada-inspired casserole.

Get the Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole recipe.

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10

Burrito Zucchini Boats

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You won't miss the tortilla in these stuffed zucchinis. They've got everything you love about your favorite burrito—black beans, corn, CHEESE—minus the carbs!

Get the Zucchini Burrito Boats recipe.

11

Sautéed Zucchini

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This easy, quick-sautéed garlic Parmesan zucchini is the perfect summer side dish. It's full of flavor, and the zucchini slightly caramelizes as it cooks in the cast-iron pan. It's our favorite way to use up zucchini (beside chocolate zucchini bread, of course).

Get the Sautéed Zucchini recipe.

12

Summer Bowtie Pasta & Chicken Sausage Skillet Bake

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We believe that summer dinners should be both quick and easy, so this skillet pasta dinner requires just a handful of ingredients—bowtie pasta, marinara sauce, chicken sausage, zucchini, bell pepper, spinach... SO EASY.

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13

Air Fryer Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Birthday Cake

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This cake has a lot of secrets: Zucchini keeps it super moist, instant espresso powder makes the chocolate taste more chocolatey, and apple cider vinegar helps add lift. You won't believe it's vegan!

Get the Air Fryer Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Birthday Cake recipe.

14

Zucchini Tater Tots

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Nix the potato for green zucchini to make these keto-friendly tots. You might just like them better than regular ol' tater tots.

Get the Zucchini Tater Tots recipe.

15

Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets

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Grilling fish can be intimidating, but with foil packs, there's no need to stress. It doesn't have to be just fish inside, either—there's a medley of zucchini and yellow summer squash with a smoky honey-chipotle sauce in this one. 😍

Get the Grilled Honey-Chipotle Salmon Foil Packets recipe.

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16

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Zucchini

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If you love all-things "Buff chick," this simple mixture of rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, and Buffalo sauce will make you melt.

Get the Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Zucchini recipe.

17

Zucchini Bolognese

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When you cook zucchini low and slow for 4 hours, something magical happens—it turns into an ultra-creamy sauce, perfect for pasta. There's no actual meat in this Bolognese, so feel free to add ground beef or lamb if you want!

Get the Zucchini Bolognese recipe.

18

Lemon Poppy Zucchini Bread

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Zucchini bread is always the first thing on our list to make with summer’s squash bounty, but we wanted to switch it up this time. This lemon poppyseed bread is still super-soft, like a zucchini bread should be, with a little bit of tartness thanks to the lemon. Yum!

Get the Lemon Poppy Zucchini Bread recipe.

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19

Zucchini Enchiladas

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We created a recipe that will satisfy your craving for cheesy, saucy chicken enchiladas while still keeping things light. Instead of using flour tortillas, we use tender, thin slices of zucchini to wrap up the chicken. Smothered with melted Monterey Jack and spicy enchilada sauce, you'll barely notice the difference!

Get the Zucchini Enchiladas recipe.

20

Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups

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This recipe takes some time and patience, but it's just about the prettiest "pasta" dish you'll ever see. If you have mandoline, use it to make the noodles; if you don't, practice your knife skills. 😉

Get the Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups recipe.

66 Sweet & Savory Zucchini Recipes, For Everything From Apps To Dessert (2024)

FAQs

What is the flavor of zucchini? ›

Zucchinis have a dense, slightly spongy texture, and less prominent seeds when harvested young. The flavor is very mild and can range from a bit grassy to slightly sweet. Because it is so mild, zucchini is excellent at absorbing other flavors when cooked.

What is zucchini used for? ›

Zucchini are a multifunctional squash; you can fry them, saute them, use a vegetable peeler to turn zucchini into “pasta ribbons” or even munch on the raw squash. They can take the place of potatoes and pasta if you're looking to go low-carb, but mostly they're a delicious and easy addition to any meal.

What is the texture of zucchini? ›

Zucchini and eggplant have similar textures in that both have super high water contents and spongy interiors. Think of them like a waterlogged sponge — entities with tons of tiny, moisture-filled pores. When you cook zucchini or eggplant, the “sponge” contracts, squeezing the water out.

What is the most flavorful zucchini? ›

'Magda' 'Magda' is an exceptionally tasty cousa zucchini, a type commonly grown in the Middle East. These varieties are bred to be pale green and have a slightly bulbous shape that is suitable for stuffing. Steve Bellavia is a vegetable researcher at Johnny's Selected Seeds in Winslow, Maine.

What brings out flavor in 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.

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

Is it healthier to eat zucchini raw or cooked? ›

You can eat zucchini raw, and it might even be better that way in terms of nutrients. People commonly cook zucchini or add it to baked goods. Still, cooking can change the taste and appearance along with its nutritional benefits.

When can you not eat zucchini? ›

Signs Zucchini Has Gone Bad

If your zucchini does have mold, toss it. Wrinkly skin: A spoiled zucchini's skin may look wrinkly or shriveled like a prune. Discoloration: Yellowing or browning on zucchini are signs of aging and spoilage. Soft spots: Pick up your zucchini and assess it for firmness.

What is the British name for zucchini? ›

English zucchini goes by courgette in England, the French word for the green gourd. The United States inherited the Italian name, and both terms reference the summer squash. Note that the word squash refers to a fruity drink in Britain, and a mature version of the courgette fruit becomes marrow.

What are some fun facts about zucchini? ›

Zucchini is a common type of summer squash, meaning its skin is thin and edible. Zucchini squash grows in Iowa and is in season in July, August and September. Summer squash are high in vitamin C, vitamin A and fiber. For the best flavor and texture, choose zucchini that is slender, firm and bright green.

Which zucchini is sweeter? ›

Yellow zucchini has a distinctive flavor that is sweeter than either green zucchini or yellow squash. The flesh is firm and crisp, but tends to be slightly softer than yellow squash when cooked. Both zucchini and yellow squash can be eaten raw in salads.

What can I do with too large zucchini? ›

If you have big zucchini that aren't quite giant enough to make cups, slice then lengthwise, scoop out the flesh to make a boat, and make Taco Zucchini Boats! You can also use giant zucchini and scrape the seeds off the strips for this tasty that's loaded with flavor from three types of cheese!

Can dogs eat zucchini? ›

The good news is that zucchini is totally safe for dogs to eat. And, even better, zucchini has some awesome health benefits for pups. Many pet parents add this dog-safe veggie into their pet's diet as a fresh food topper or tasty treat. Here's what you need to know about feeding dogs zucchini safely.

Which tastes better zucchini or cucumber? ›

Tastewise, cucumbers have a fresh taste and are juicy due to high water content. On the other hand, zucchinis have a heartier flavor and may even tend to be slightly bitter. When cooked, zucchini holds its shape better than cucumbers that wilt easily.

Does zucchini taste like spaghetti? ›

Zucchini has a very mild flavor, so zoodles primarily allow whatever sauce and toppings they are tossed with to shine. For the most part, you will taste the flavors of the other ingredients more than you will taste the zucchini. The biggest difference most people notice when they eat zucchini noodles is the texture.

Is there a taste difference between eggplant and zucchini? ›

Taste-wise, zucchini has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, making it a versatile ingredient that can absorb the flavors of other ingredients in a dish. What is this? Eggplant has a rich and earthy flavor, which becomes more pronounced when cooked.

What is the taste and texture of zucchini? ›

Cucumbers have a crispy texture and a refreshing, watery taste with a hint of bitterness, especially in the skin. Zucchini has a softer texture and a slightly sweet flavour, especially when cooked. They have a slightly milder taste compared to cucumbers.

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