35+ Best Zucchini Recipes
If you have an abundance of garden zucchini or went a little zucchini crazy at the farmer’s market, you need these zucchini recipes! Here you’ll find delicious zucchini recipes for any meal, including zucchini bread recipes, zucchini noodles, zucchini lasagna, zucchini boats and more!
Zucchini is such a versatile ingredient. From savory main courses and side dishes to sweet baked goods, the ways to prepare this summer squash are practically limitless. You can even eat zucchini raw. Try making zucchini ribbons with a vegetable peeler and adding them to a salad, or add thinly sliced zucchini to a sandwich.
Zucchini season is at its peak from June through late August, so now is the perfect time to enjoy this nutrient-rich veggie. (Technically, zucchini is classified as a fruit but it’s commonly treated as a vegetable.)
You don’t need to peel zucchini before cooking or baking with it. In fact, many of the nutrients in zucchini are concentrated in the zucchini skin.
How to Choose Zucchini
Choose a zucchini that is a deep, bright green color, with smooth skin that is free of blemishes. Small to medium zucchini have the best flavor, while large zucchini may be bland and watery. Try to buy zucchini with fresh-looking stems that are still attached, as those squash will last longer.
Buying zucchini at the farmer’s market (or growing your own) is the best way to make sure your zucchini will be fresh and flavorful.
How to Store Zucchini
Zucchini is best stored unwashed, in a bag that allows some air to circulate. When properly stored, zucchini will last in the refrigerator for up to one week. Wash zucchini right before using.
You can also freeze zucchini. Wash the zucchini, cut it into 1-inch pieces or rounds, and then blanch it. While blanching is optional, it helps to prevent zucchini from getting mushy after freezing. To blanch zucchini, boil it for a minute or two and then transfer it to a bowl of ice water. First freeze blanched zucchini in a single layer on a baking sheet and then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.
Tips for Baking with Zucchini
Zucchini adds moisture to baked goods, and you won’t get any zucchini flavor in your muffins or cakes. I promise!
- Use a box grater or food processor to shred zucchini for baking.
- Squeeze out excess moisture from shredded zucchini before using it in a baking recipe. To do this, wrap your shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze over your sink. You don’t need to go crazy with the squeezing – a little moisture is a good thing!
- Add the zucchini at the end of your mixing process, and stir it in just until it’s combined into the batter.
- If you need an incentive to get your kids to try a baked good with zucchini in it, add a few chocolate chips. Chocolate is magical! 😉
Best Zucchini Recipes
Below you’ll find zucchini recipes in each of these categories. Click on the links to go straight to the recipes in that category.
- Zucchini Bread
- Zucchini Noodles
- Zucchini Lasagna
- Zucchini Casseroles
- Zucchini Boats and Stuffed Zucchini
- Zucchini Fries
- Baked and Sautéed Zucchini
- Zucchini Muffins
- Zucchini Cookies and Bars
- Zucchini Cakes
Zucchini Bread
This best healthy Zucchini Bread recipe is made with wholesome ingredients. It’s so moist and you can even add chocolate chips or banana.
Could you resist a slice of this Carrot Zucchini Bread, made with warm spices and a cream cheese frosting?
This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread is rich, moist and fudgy!
This Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread with Quinoa is a healthier version of chocolate chip zucchini bread.
Zucchini Noodles
When you need a quick, healthy meal, these Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Zucchini Noodles are perfect, ready in just 20 minutes!
These Pesto Zucchini Noodles are coated in a flavorful kale pesto. Serve them alongside salmon for an easy, healthy meal.
This Zucchini Noodle Salad with Beans, Feta and Lemon can be served as a vegetarian meal or side dish.
Enjoy late summer produce with this easy noodle bowl: Zucchini Noodles with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.
Zucchini Lasagna
Crave-worthy Low Carb Zucchini Lasagna with veggies and a turkey meat sauce.
Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun twist on regular zucchini lasagna.
Zucchini Casseroles
This Cheesy Zucchini Bake is low carb and easy to make!
An easy Mexican Zucchini skillet casserole, made with your favorite taco ingredients!
This Zucchini Casserole is a delicious and healthy side dish. It’s seasoned with garlic and Parmesan and topped with a crispy topping.
Enjoy this vegan Tomato Zucchini Casserole as a side dish with your favorite summer meals.
Zucchini Boats and Stuffed Zucchini
It doesn’t get much better than cheesy Lasagna Stuffed Zucchini! These spinach and cheese stuffed zucchini boats are perfect for meatless Monday.
These Greek Zucchini Boats start with grilled zucchini that is then stuffed with quinoa, tomatoes and feta. They’re packed with flavor and nutritious ingredients.
These Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a delicious, low carb way to enjoy chicken Parmesan.
These Zucchini Lasagna Boats are filled with cheese and a meaty red sauce. Scale the recipe up or down to serve your family.
Pizza Stuffed Zucchini Boats are a healthier way to enjoy the comfort food favorite.
Zucchini Fries
Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries, perfect for snacking!
These Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries will be a hit with both kids and adults.
A pesto yogurt dipping sauce makes these Baked Zucchini Fries even more irresistible!
Baked Zucchini and Sautéed Zucchini
Tender, delicious and seasoned with Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese this Air Fryer Zucchini is one of our favorite Air Fryer Recipes.
This seasoned Roasted Zucchini is easy to make for a healthy weeknight side dish.
These Baked Zucchini Chips are perfect for dipping in your favorite dip or sauce.
Serve these Baked Zucchini “Meatballs” with noodles for a meatless pasta dinner.
This vegetarian Zucchini Parmesan is perfect for an appetizer or serve it with noodles for dinner.
Enjoy a savory bite with these Cheesy Baked Zucchini Bites – it’s impossible to eat just one!
A great vegetable side dish, this flavorful Sautéed Zucchini with garlic, thyme and Parmesan cheese is quick and easy.
Zucchini Muffins
These Zucchini Muffins are soft and fluffy and so delicious!
These Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins are made with buttermilk for a delicious flavor and tender crumb.
Sneak in some extra veggies with these moist Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins.
Use up your ripe bananas and zucchini by making a batch of these Zucchini Banana Muffins.
Filled with wholesome ingredients including oats, flaxseed and pumpkin seeds, these Zucchini Carrot Breakfast Muffins are a nutritious grab and go breakfast.
Zucchini Cookies and Bars
Make these Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies for a make ahead breakfast or snack.
Oatmeal Zucchini Snack Bars make a perfect after-school snack.
These Zucchini Oat Bars are high in fiber and naturally sweetened with dates.
Who could resist one of these fudgy Zucchini Brownies with whipped chocolate frosting?
Zucchini Cake
This Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a luscious summer dessert!
This Zucchini Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake is moist, dense and gluten-free.
You’ll go crazy for the frosting on this Lemon Frosted Zucchini Cake!
So rich and fudgy, this Chocolate Zucchini Cake is glazed with chocolate ganache.
