15 Zucchini Recipes to Add More Green to Your Plate
Need more inspired ways to incorporate this summer squash into your meals? We've got you covered.
Caitlin Bensel
We can never get enough greens, and zucchini squash is a delicious (and nutritious) way to add more color to your plate. And there are so many ways to prepare this summer squash: grilled, sauteed, and even spiralized are just a few of our favorites. Check out our list of favorite zucchini recipes for all the inspo you need to load up your plate with this versatile vegetable.
Related: 6 Health Benefits of Zucchini, Plus Tasty Recipes to Try This Zuke Season
Zucchini Tzatziki Slaw
Zucchini replaces the usual cucumber in this tzatziki. It's the perfect fresh vegetable side dish that uses staple ingredients you probably already have on-hand like cabbage, yogurt, honey, lemon, and your favorite crunchy salad topper like pumpkin seeds or almonds.
Zucchini Pesto Pasta
This recipe uses zucchini for the sauce, mixing summer squash with basil, Parmesan, cashews, oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Double or triple the pesto ingredients so you can save some to top other meals throughout the week.
Summer Squash Farro Bowl
Caitlin Bensel
With protein from the chickpeas and Greek yogurt, fiber from the zucchini, yellow squash, and farro, and healthy fat from the avocado, this bowl combines tons of vital nutrients in one healthy weeknight meal.
Roasted Zucchini
Classic roasted zucchini is a staple in so many dishes, and this recipe will help you really nail the technique. It only requires two ingredients: zucchini and olive oil. To season, top with salt and pepper (and maybe a squeeze of lemon). It doesn't get simpler than that!
Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers
Turkey burgers are already a popular, healthier alternative to beef, but turkey can sometimes be dry. That's where zucchini comes in, adding moisture to these unique patties.
As one of our readers who tried the recipe says, it has "great flavor without a lot of ingredients" and suggests using a grill pan on the BBQ grill to cook so the burger stays together better.
Ravioli With Sautéed Zucchini
This 15-minute pasta recipe couldn't be an easier weeknight meal to prepare—just cook and drain store-bought ravioli, tenderize zucchini and garlic in a skillet, then toss together with Parmesan cheese and spices, and that's it. Plus, it makes an especially easy way to convince picky eaters to get their veggies.
Zucchini and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
For a healthy, hearty vegetarian dinner, try these sweet potatoes stuffed with zucchini, black beans, onion, cheese, and topped with cilantro and sour cream (or Greek yogurt). Sweet potatoes, beans, and zucchini are all high-fiber foods, which is an essential nutrient for gut health.
Pasta With Zucchini and Goat Cheese
This pasta dish is comfort food at its finest, with savory goat cheese and tender seasoned zucchini to top it all off. And if you're the type of person who loves pasta but hates the time it usually takes to prepare, this recipe requires just 20 minutes and six ingredients to whip together.
Potato Leek Tart With Feta and Zucchini
Tracey Kusiewicz/Getty Images
Though it's a meatless dish, this potato leek tart is plenty satisfying. Zucchini, potatoes, and leeks make up the bulk of the filling, topped with crumbled Feta cheese and fresh dill for a fresh flavor.
Rosemary Chicken With Zucchini
If you're a fan of one-dish meals you can just toss in the oven, you've found the right recipe to make tonight. Or if you're not ready to eat it right away, you can toss all the ingredients in a bag or container, pop it in the freezer, and pull it out when you're ready to bake.
Related: How to Freeze Zucchini—and Zucchini Noodles
Zucchini and Bean Salad With Bulgur
Not all salads are lettuce-based. Case in point, this zucchini and bean salad starts with grains—bulgar to be exact (though you can substitute in any grain you prefer). This dish is another high-fiber meatless meal, and it only takes 20 minutes to make.
Ratatouille
A classic French dish, ratatouille mixes all the best of summer produce: zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, tomatoes, and plenty of fragrant herbs and spices. The sky is the limit with this recipe—make it your own by adding your other favorite types of squash to the pot, or pile it on top of pasta, rice, or even grilled meat.
Summer Nachos
For a seasonal vegetarian twist on regular nachos, these summer nachos feature toppings like zucchini, corn, red cabbage, cheese (of course), and a flavorful avocado-yogurt cream.
Spring Hash With Eggs Sunny-Side Up
Though it has "spring" in the name, this easy breakfast recipe makes a good, healthy meal in any season. A nutritious spin on the classic potato hash, this recipe adds zucchini to the mix for added bulk.
Udon With Seared Beef & Zucchini
Greg DuPree
This ultra-savory steak stir fry highlights zucchini and shiitake mushrooms as its perfect pairing. Taking just 30 minutes to prepare, it'll be done faster than you could call for takeout. Fresh Fresno chile brings a bit of heat to the soy-ginger sauce, and a sprinkling of sesame seeds tops everything off with just a hint of nutty flavor.
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