25 Ways to Cook with Zucchini This Summer

We have solutions to your abundance of zucchini problem—25, to be exact! Zucchini fritters, cheesy zucchini bites, chocolate zucchini bread, and more!

By
Carrie Havranek
Carrie Havranek
Carrie Havranek
Carrie has 10+ years experience as a food writer, editor, and recipe developer. She is the author of Tasting Pennsylvania and a contributor to Simply Recipes since 2017.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
and
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated July 06, 2022
15 Zucchini Recipes

It’s that time of year when zucchini plants are going crazy in our gardens and on local farms. Inevitably, those of us who grow it often end up with so much of it that we give it away—it comes up faster than we can deal with it.

Does this sound like your situation? Well, we've got 25 tried-and-true zucchini recipes to help you out.

Put larger zucchini—you know, the ones that verge on the size of baseball bats if they go unpicked for a few days— to good use by spiralizing them into noodles or grating them for zucchini bread, muffins, pancakes, or turkey meatloaf. Discard the seeds if they are large and/or hard.

  • Easy Sautéed Zucchini

    Zucchini squash topped with dill in a cast iron skillet.
    Sheryl Julian

    This is what you do with that perfectly sized, not-giant zucchini—you slice it into coins and sauté with dill and lemon zest.

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  • Taco-Stuffed Zucchini Boats

    Stuffed Zucchini Boats Recipe
    Nick Evans

    When you’ve got some long, oversize zucchini, this is what you do with them. You make Nick’s taco-meat stuffed zucchini boats.

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  • Roasted Zucchini with Garlic

    Roasted Zucchini with garlic and black pepper on a serving platter
    Elise Bauer

    Cut them lengthwise, and roast in the oven with the usual suspects—olive oil, garlic, and black pepper, along with some summery herbs de Provence. A perfect side for feta-brined roast chicken.

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  • Zucchini, Eggplant, Tomato Gratin

    Zucchini Eggplant Tomato Gratin
    Elise Bauer

    Oh, how pretty is this! This dish only looks fancy—it’s just all in how you slice and present it. It's akin to ratatouille but baked with a bit of cheese on top.

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    Continue to 5 of 25 below.

  • Zucchini Pasta Carbonara

    Zucchini with Pasta Carbonara
    Elise Bauer

    Yes, that's yellow patty pan squash you see in the above dish, but you can use zucchini, too. And you might well want to add it to the egg noodles, prosciutto, Parm, basil, and lemon zest.

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  • Grandma's Zucchini Cake

    Grandma's Zucchini Cake
    Elise Bauer

    With a title like that, you know it’s going to be delicious. It’s also an easy sheet cake with cream cheese frosting. And cream cheese frosting is also always delicious.

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  • Chocolate Zucchini Bread

    Best Chocolate Zucchini Bread
    Elise Bauer

    Zucchini has a fairly neutral flavor and when you grate it, like carrots, it adds a ton of moisture to quick breads. And this one is chocolate because, well, chocolate.

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  • Spicy Zucchini Soup

    Zucchini Soup recipe
    Elise Bauer

    The herbs of summer—mint and cilantro—combine with jalapeño for a fresh, summery zucchini soup with a kick.

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    Continue to 9 of 25 below.

  • Zucchini Breakfast Casserole

    Zucchini Breakfast Casserole
    Elise Bauer

    Call it a casserole, call it a strata—whatever you want to call it, grate up the zucchini and combine with ricotta, eggs, some leftover bread, and plum tomatoes.

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  • Zucchini and Spinach Gratin

    Zucchini Spinach Gratin
    Elise Bauer

    Here’s an efficient way to put two pounds of zucchini from the garden to use—a gratin. Bacon, spinach, and Parmesan cheese add flavor to this dish, which loosely resembles a crustless quiche.

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  • Zucchini Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl

    Zucchini Noodle Chicken Pesto Bowl
    Elise Bauer

    Here’s where you take zucchini and a spiralizer and make veggie noodles. Toss with pesto, serve with chicken, and enjoy a healthy meal.

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  • Spicy Turkey and Zucchini Burger

    Spicy Turkey and Zucchini Burger
    Elise Bauer

    The moisture from grated zucchini helps bind these turkey burgers. Sour cream and Greek yogurt come together for a sauce with lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. (Noticing a trend here?)

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    Continue to 13 of 25 below.

  • Cheesy Zucchini Bites

    Cheesy Zucchini Bites
    Elise Bauer

    Think of these as tater tots but using zucchini. Imagine adding cheddar and fresh herbs, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what these bites taste like.

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  • Lemon Rosemary Zucchini Bread

    Lemon Rosemary Zucchini Bread
    Elise Bauer

    Imagine a slice of this sweet and savory bread with afternoon tea. And then go make it.

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  • Zucchini Fritters

    Zucchini Fritters Recipe
    Elise Bauer

    Grate the zucchini, drain it of excess moisture, and combine it with some egg and herbs to quick pan fritters for dinner. They're great with a sour cream dipping sauce and a side of kale salad.

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  • Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups

    zucchini lasagna rollups
    Sally Vargas

    Lasagna without the pasta? Yes! Strips of cooked zucchini take the place of noodles in this summer comfort food. A quick, homemade tomato sauce pulls it all together.

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    Continue to 17 of 25 below.

  • Zucchini Muffins

    Zucchini muffins cooling on a rack.
    Eliezer Martinez

    These zucchini muffins are insanely easy to make. Shred some zucchini, stir the ingredients together in a bowl, pour into muffin tins, and bake. The result is a batch of moist, sweet muffins that will disappear quickly.

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  • Zucchini Ricotta Frittata

    zucchini ricotta frittata
    Elise Bauer

    Who wouldn't want to linger over a slice of this frittata during weekend brunch? It's quick, easy, and full of zucchini, cheese, and fresh herbs. Don't save it for just brunch, though. It's also perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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  • Zucchini With Thyme

    Zucchini with Thyme
    Elise Bauer

    Side dishes don't get easier than this. Zucchini, onion, and fresh herbs come together until they're infused with thyme. It's simple and goes with a variety of mains like tuna patties or grilled flank steak.

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  • Zucchini Tomato Quiche

    zucchini tomato quiche
    Elise Bauer

    Zucchini, basil, tomatoes... head to your garden or the farmers market to get summer's goodness that fills this quiche. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner—it's there for you.

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    Continue to 21 of 25 below.

  • Quick Green Curry Chicken with Zucchini Noodles

    green curry chicken with zucchini noodles with chopsticks
    Lisa Lin

    For a quick dinner, keep some store-bought green curry on hand. While the chicken does a fast marinade, you prep the veggies then cook it all up in 20 minutes. Healthy and satisfying!

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  • Zucchini Walnut Pancakes

    Stack of zucchini and walnut pancakes with butter and maple syrup.

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Uskokovic

    Who says pancakes have to be the same old same old every single time? Shredded zucchini and chopped walnuts go into these whole wheat pancakes, upping the nutrition and flavor. Add a mimosa, and you have brunch!

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  • Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash with Champagne Vinaigrette

    Bowl of Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash with Champagne Vinaigrette with a Spoon Surrounded by a Drink on a Table

    Matt Armendariz

    Grill zucchini and yellow squash for the base of this super simple summer side dish. Topped with feta, fresh herbs, and a Champagne vinaigrette, go ahead and call it a salad. If you have leftovers, use the up in a quesadilla.

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  • Open-Faced Grilled Vegetable Tartines

    A white plate with zucchini, pepper, and onion tartines with goat cheese

    Simply Recipes / Mike Lang

    These grilled vegetable toasts are so versatile. Pile goat cheese and grilled veggies, including zucchini, on top of grilled crusty bread. Serve them as a light meal, part of a snack board supper, or an appetizer.

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    Continue to 25 of 25 below.

  • Turkey Meatloaf

    Turkey Meatloaf
    Sally Vargas

    Where's the zucchini in this picture? It's in the meatloaf. Shredded zucchini and carrots add moisture to turkey meatloaf, keeping it from ending up dry. Bonus: It adds some extra nutrition to the family favorite meal.

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