59 Zucchini Recipes to Use Up Your Bounty

In season from June to late August, this summer squash variety can star in so many ways: fried until crispy, shaved raw into a salad, baked into a cake and lots more.

April 24, 2023

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Our Best Ideas for Zucchini

There are so many reasons to look forward to summer, the abundance of fresh produce being one of them. We never want a single fruit or veggie to go to waste so we’re always racking our brains for the best ways to use them up. One thing that everyone always has on hand come summer is squash. Whether you’ve been growing zucchini in your garden, received a bunch in your CSA box or saw them in the produce aisle, there seems to be a never-ending supply throughout the warmer months. So how do you use up your zucchini? You can start by freezing some and then making the classics like zucchini bread or zoodles—but this summer squash can actually do so much more. Take this gorgeous tart for example, it takes just minutes to create (and tastes great!) but is guaranteed to be the star of any summer cookout or get-together.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Tart

Zucchini Bread Waffles

Love zucchini bread but hate how long you have to wait until it's baked to perfection? These zucchini bread waffles are just what you need. They're made with grated zucchini and spiced with the cinnamon and nutmeg you crave — and they're ready in only a half-hour.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bread Waffles

Grilled Bacon, Egg and Cheese Zucchini Boats

Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner, these zucchini boats are filled with eggs, two kinds of cheese, garlic and fresh chives. Grilling them over indirect heat adds a smoky flavor to the eggs and keeps them from drying out. At the end, the boats are wrapped in salty bacon, making them utterly irresistible.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Bacon, Egg and Cheese Zucchini Boats

Zucchini Gratin

Follow Ina's lead this zucchini season and bake up a cheesy and crunchy summer casserole.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Gratin

Spaghetti with Zucchini

After a trip to the Amalfi Coast, Katie Lee came home with the best possible souvenir: a recipe for zucchini pasta from one of her favorite restaurants. "The owner said it wouldn't be the same because we don't have their zucchini in the States," says Katie. "But I think it's about 98% there!"

Get the Recipe: Spaghetti with Zucchini

Fried Zucchini

Zucchini strips get breaded with a panko and Parmesan cheese mixture before they're fried until crisp for the ultimate Italian appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Fried Zucchini

Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

We all have the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, but does yours have vegetables and oats? This delicious cookie has it all -- zucchini, oats, whole wheat flour, you name it. Toasted pecans and dark chocolate chips add just enough buttery crunch and sweet melt to put it over the top. Ditch your plain jane cookie and try this one that has a little of everything!

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cheesy Zucchini Packets with Roasted Tomatoes

Put a summery spin on ravioli with thin strips of fresh zucchini. This trio of cheeses would be delicious on its own, but it's absolutely irresistible when wrapped in zucchini ribbons and baked until gooey.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Ravioli with Roasted Tomatoes

Grilled Zucchini Pizza Boats

Want all the fun of pizza and grilling but need to throw a vegetable in the menu? This is the perfect recipe for you. An easy pizza seasoning transforms zucchini into a delicious “crust” ready for melty mozzarella and spicy mini pepperonis. It’s great for kids, parents and everyone else too!

Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Pizza Boats

Marinated Zucchini and Summer Squash

Giada lets the seasonal summer flavors speak for themselves in this simple zucchini-and-squash dish. She dresses the vegetables in an easy-to-make lemon juice, garlic and thyme marinade before grilling.

Get the Recipe: Marinated Zucchini and Summer Squash

Zucchini Casserole

Zucchini is easily overlooked, but with the addition of melty cheese and a crunchy cornflake topping, you can transform this summer vegetable into a perfect casserole for a barbeque or potluck. Switch out the herbs with what you have on hand--chives, thyme, basil and cilantro would all work well and add great flavor!

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Casserole

Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

These crunchy baked zucchini rounds are a satisfying side dish or snack for any occasion. Coated in savory Parmesan breadcrumbs, they prove that the simplest recipes are often the very best.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Parmesan Crisps

Zucchini Parmesan

The red-sauce favorite may typically be made with veal, chicken or eggplant, but Food Network Magazine reinvented it using zucchini instead. It's still breaded and smothered with sauce and cheese like the classic, but thin slices of prosciutto add a satisfying saltiness to the mix.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Parmesan

Grilled Zucchini with Herb Salt and Feta

Sprinkle feta cheese and a homemade herb salt, made with dried oregano and thyme, over tender, charred slices of zucchini for a delicious veggie dish you'll make again and again.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini with Herb Salt and Feta

Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

For a beautiful summery treat, it’s hard to top delicate zucchini flowers stuffed with a creamy filling and then lightly fried until crisp and golden. Try to find a good-quality whole-milk ricotta from an Italian deli or specialty food store. The upgrade is worth it here.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Zucchini Bread with Lemon Honey Butter

Summer is prime time for zucchini. This version of zucchini bread, which yields two loaves and comes with a side of honey butter, is perked up by lemon zest and a touch of cinnamon.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bread with Lemon Honey Butter

Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

A combination of zucchini and yellow summer squash, cut into thin ribbons, makes this pasta as colorful as it is vegetable-packed. Whole-wheat pasta adds more fiber to the mix. The finishing touches: Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Ribbon Pasta

Baked Zucchini

Sunny tops tender zucchini slices with a mixture of panko, Parmesan and thyme to create a buttery, crunchy crust for this hearty vegetarian dish.

Get the Recipe: Baked Zucchini

Stuffed Zucchini and Red Bell Peppers

Make the most of in-season zucchini (and colorful bell peppers) by stuffing them with turkey and smothering them in marinara sauce.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini and Red Bell Peppers

Grilled Zucchini Rolls with Herbs and Cheese

Tide over a crowd while you put the finishing touches on dinner with Ellie’s zucchini rolls, made with a reduced-fat goat cheese, lemon and parsley filling.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Rolls with Herbs and Cheese

Zucchini-Corn Fritters

Buttermilk is the key to making these vegetable fritters moist.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini-Corn Fritters

Bulgur-Stuffed Summer Vegetables

A mixture of bulgur, chopped peppers and cremini mushrooms makes a hearty stuffing for halved bell peppers and zucchini. 

Get the Recipe: Bulgur-Stuffed Summer Vegetables

Light Spicy Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

By quickly broiling the zucchini first, you can ensure all the pieces will be evenly cooked once they get baked with the tomato sauce.

Get the Recipe: Light Spicy Zucchini and Tomato Casserole

Zucchini "Hash Browns"

Zucchini takes the place of the usual potatoes in this healthy remake of hash browns, accompanied by fried eggs and whole-wheat toast. Make an easy banana-berry smoothie with frozen fruit and yogurt and breakfast is served!

Get the Recipe: Zucchini "Hash Browns" and Eggs with Berry-Nana Smoothie

Zucchini Carpaccio

Use a sharp vegetable peeler to shave thin slices of zucchini, then drizzle with a lemony vinaigrette and sprinkle with shaved Parmesan cheese for a super flavorful summer side.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Carpaccio

Zucchini Pancakes

Ina admits that zucchini can be a bit boring, but it takes on new life as a dinner side dish when paired with red onion in pancake form.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pancakes

Potato and Zucchini Frittata

Loaded with vegetables and lightened up with egg whites and turkey bacon, this easy frittata is a perfect dish for entertaining at brunch.

Get the Recipe: Potato and Zucchini Frittata

Whole-Wheat Cherry Tomato and Zucchini Pan Pizza

This pizza is fit for meatless Mondays and weekend dinner parties alike. Adding veggies to the pizza not only boosts the flavor but also ramps up the levels of vitamins and fiber.

Get the Recipe: Whole-Wheat Cherry Tomato and Zucchini Pan Pizza

Broiled Zucchini and Potatoes with Parmesan Crust

Tender potatoes and zucchini leave the oven golden, crispy and encrusted with Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Broiled Zucchini and Potatoes with Parmesan Crust

Zucchini Bread

Folding a cup and a half of finely chopped fresh zucchini into cinnamon-spiked batter makes for a fragrant, veggie-laced quick bread that is moist, tender and so easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bread

Zucchini and Basil Soup

Pro tip: Blend a little potato into this soup for a rich and creamy texture.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini and Basil Soup

Ricotta, Squash and Honey Flatbread

Both the vegetables and flatbreads take almost no time to grill, making this a breeze to throw together at the last minute.

Get the Recipe: Ricotta, Squash and Honey Flatbread

Prosciutto-and-Cheese-Filled Zucchini Rolls

Inspired by rotolo di zucchine — a ham, cheese and zucchini-based appetizer from Italy — our version uses thinly sliced prosciutto and homemade scallion cream cheese for a light and refreshing dish you can enjoy all summer long. Serve the rolls on their own as a starter or with a simply dressed salad of leafy greens for a complete meal.

Get the Recipe: Prosciutto-and-Cheese-Filled Zucchini Rolls

Garden Pasta With Bocconcini

This pasta salad is filled with some of summer's best produce: cherry tomatoes and zucchini.

Get the Recipe: Garden Pasta With Bocconcini

Zucchini Fritters

This healthy take on a fritter is so crispy and delectable, you’ll forget you’re actually eating vegetables.

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

Mom always said you need to eat your veggies, right? We're just doing what we're told, with the help of cocoa powder, chocolate chips and a simple chocolate glaze!

Get the Recipe: Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

Summer Zucchini and Tomato Panzanella Salad

Give traditionally rustic panzanella salad an elegant makeover by serving cherry tomatoes and seasoned croutons over thinly sliced zucchini.

Get the Recipe: Summer Zucchini and Tomato Panzanella Salad

Turkey and Zucchini Burgers

Make a lean yet juicy burger by combining ground turkey with grated zucchini and chopped scallion.

Get the Recipe: Turkey and Zucchini Burgers

Lemony Spaghetti and Zucchini

Spaghetti feels light and fresh when tossed with noodle-thin zucchini and lemon.

Get the Recipe: Lemony Spaghetti and Zucchini

Zucchini Cakes with Herb Sour Cream

Trisha loves how the zucchini in her crispy cakes takes on the flavor of Parmesan and fresh herbs. We love how easy and irresistible the golden-brown cakes are served alongside her cool dill- and chive-filled sour cream sauce.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Cakes with Herb Sour Cream

Zucchini Rollatini

It doesn't get much better than zucchini slices filled with fresh herbs, creamy ricotta and shredded mozzarella. Top them with marinara and more mozzarella and you've got a family-please in just over an hour.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Rollatini

Zucchini Chili

Give your chili-night standby a twist by adding fresh diced zucchini to the mix, and make it as flavorful as ever with charred poblano chiles, cilantro and lots of seasoning.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Chili

Zucchini "Fettuccine" with Tomato Sauce

Peeling zucchini into ribbons with a mandoline or vegetable peeler gives the strips the appearance of fettuccine.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini "Fettuccine" With Tomato Sauce

Grilled Zucchini Salad with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette and Shaved Romano and Toasted Pine Nuts

Zucchini sliced lengthwise grills up beautifully. Just toss it with some Romano cheese, crunchy pine nuts and a tangy vinaigrette to create the perfect side dish.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Salad with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette and Shaved Romano and Toasted Pine Nuts

Zucchini Lasagna

Thinly cut zucchini strips replace the noodles in this vegetarian lasagna. If your zucchini strips look watery, be sure to lay them on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture before using.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Lasagna

Zucchini Pizza Bites

You're only three ingredients away from savory little bites that'll please the grown-ups as well as the kids.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Bites

Zucchini Salad

This simple salad (ready in just 10 minutes) is loaded with fresh flavor thanks to chopped fresh herbs and a tangy vinaigrette.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Salad

Healthy Zucchini Bread

Apple butter adds extra moistness and natural sweetness to this bread. Surprisingly, only 1/3 cup of heart-friendly oil is used in this quick bread recipe that's heavy on zucchini — and tastiness.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bread

Zucchini Saute

Sprinkle sauteed zucchini with Parmesan for the easiest dish on your table. 

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Saute

Summer Squash Carpaccio

You don't need a lot of ingredients to make zucchini and yellow squash shine while they're in season.

Get the Recipe: Summer Squash Carpaccio

Zucchini Muffins

Stir golden raisins into the batter for little bursts of sweetness throughout these moist muffins.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Muffins

Zucchini Agrodolce

Sliced zucchini is the star of this tangy appetizer. Cook your slices in olive oil, then use the remaining oil to construct an agrodolce (a syrupy Italian sauce). Drizzle the sauce over the zucchini and top with pine nuts and fresh mint.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Agrodolce

Zucchini Enchiladas

No tortillas? No problem. Take advantage of summer's squash bounty and wrap your enchilada filling up in zucchini.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini and Chicken “Enchiladas”

Zucchini Panini

Sliced the proper way, zucchini can be treated just like chicken, steak or even deli meat as the main ingredient in a sandwich. Just remember to season it well so that its flavor comes through and doesn't get lost within the bread!

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Panini

Zucchini Chips

These crunchy veggie chips only require one ingredient: zucchini. Simply thinly chop up a small zucchini and pop your slices in the oven for a satisfying snack.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Chips

Goat Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms with Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini works double duty in Anne's flavor-packed dish. Toss zucchini noodles with olive oil, tomatoes, anchovy, garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes, then top with cheesy, deep-fried zucchini blossoms.

Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms with Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini Roll-Ups

Impress your guests with Ree’s easy zucchini roll-ups — they can be assembled and chilled up to three hours before serving.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Roll-Ups

Zucchini Carbonara

To lighten up this version of a classic carbonara, the Pioneer Woman swaps traditional pasta for zoodles. You can either spiralize two large zucchinis or use one pound of fresh, pre-made zucchini noodles.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Carbonara

Zucchini Cake

This top-rated treat is a fan favorite for a reason: adding two cups of grated, unpeeled zucchini to the batter keeps the cake fluffy and moist.

Get the Recipe: Zucchini Cake