50+ Zucchini Recipes for when your garden is going crazy
This year, after a several year hiatus from gardening, I planted a few things in the spring and, to my delight, it has been VERY successful.
The zucchini and squash plants are particularly prodigious and nearly every day I go out and pick multiple of them!
I’ve heard that one zucchini plant can feed a neighborhood and since we have THREE of them, I’m pretty sure we’re going to be eating zucchini non-stop for the next month or two.
Naturally, I’m on the lookout for delicious ways to use that up and hoarding all the zucchini recipes I can.
Whether you have a prodigious producer in your garden or you’re grabbing it on super sale at the grocery store, I hope these zucchini recipes give you inspiration too!
50+ Really Great Zucchini Recipes
Main Courses & Savory Skillets
Summer Squash French Bread Pizza
I briefly tried Blue Apron several years ago and this was a winner (and super easy) recipe we discovered and have been making it ever since. It makes a great main dish that can be whipped up in less than ten minutes.
Calzones
When we belonged to a CSA in Texas, I made these vegetarian calzones ALL the time in the summer so I could get through all the greens and squash we were getting. Add a simple side dish with this and you have a complete meal!
Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Cheesy Tex-Mex Zucchini Skillet
Grab me a bag of tortilla chips and I think I could eat a whole pan of this!
Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Chicken with Mushrooms and Zucchini
If you are looking for a way to use up a lot of zucchini – this one uses 4! This simple stir-fry is made with just chicken, zucchini, mushrooms, and a few pantry staples. Easy, quick, and healthy!
Sheet Pan Greek Chicken and Vegetables
Juicy chicken, herby vegetables, and tender zucchini all roast together, making dinner as easy as tossing a pan in the oven. Then, serve it in a rice bowl or as a pita sandwich.
Smitten Kitchen Turkey Pesto Meatballs and Orecchiette
Tender turkey meatballs meet pesto-coated pasta and (you guessed it) plenty of zucchini for a weeknight dinner that’s both fresh and comforting.
Smitten Kitchen: Lemon Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza
I have a summer squash pizza recipe that I absolutely LOVE, but the lemon and goat cheese variation is something that is making me drool! Can’t wait to try a slightly different version of something I already know my family enjoys.
Real Life Dinner: Million Dollar Zucchini Skillet
This one had me at “million dollar”! And it lives up to its name – it’s rich, satisfying, and uses enough zucchini to make a dent in your garden haul.
Half Baked Harvest: Healthier Homemade One Pot Hamburger Helper
I haven’t met a Half Baked Harvest recipe I didn’t like – and this one looks like the makings of a classic comfort food, with ALL the hidden zucchini. If you have picky kids who don’t want to see their vegetables, I think this might be the perfect recipe. Plus, done in 30 minutes AND one pot…this is one I can’t wait to try!
Half Baked Harvest: Corn and Zucchini Pesto Orzo Casserole
Sweet corn, tender zucchini, and creamy pesto orzo make this casserole taste like peak summer in a baking dish.
Rick Bayless: Creamy Roasted Poblano, Corn and Zucchini Tacos
Kelsey from the Everyday Reading team recommended these vegetarian tacos and they sound like the perfect combo of summer flavors: zucchini, corn, and peppers, plus extra creamy goodness from crema and cheese. And, if you aren’t into doing vegetarian they are really easy to add chicken to (it shares about it in the recipe).
Skinny Taste: Three Cheese Zucchini Stuffed Lasagna Rolls
I am so into this vegetarian lasagna recipe! The zucchini is grated up small and mixed in with the ricotta and rolled up into individual lasagna rolls. Plus this would be the perfect recipe for feeding a crowd.
The Modern Proper: Creamy Zucchini Pasta
A silky sauce made from pureed zucchini!? You’ll forget you’re basically eating vegetables in this creamy pasta.
What’s Gaby Cooking: Zucchini Pasta
Bright, garlicky, and a little bit spicy, this zucchini-loaded pasta feels fancy but comes together super quick!
The Lazy Dish: Rotisserie Chicken Zucchini Casserole
Nothing is easier than this 6-ingredient dump and go casserole…and what’s better, it uses rotisserie chicken so you don’t even have to mess with raw chicken.
New York Times: Chicken Zucchini Meatballs
New York Times is known for their incredible recipes, but just be warned – if you don’t have a subscription you might lose the recipe behind a paywall. I love that these meatballs are half chicken, half zucchini (3 zucchini to be exact) – perfect if you are trying to get more vegetables in, but don’t really want to know about it.
My HeartBeets: Zucchini Curry
If you have been around for a while, you will know that I cannot resist a curry! This vegetarian curry looks absolutely amazing and can be made either in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Serve with rice and naan, and you have my favorite kind of meal.
Sides & Savory Bakes
Zucchini Hummus
I have a go-to hummus recipe that I love, but Mel’s Kitchen Cafe has literally never led me astray.
Smitten Kitchen: Zucchini Quesadillas
This is a quick lunch or easy dinner option that’s kid friendly too. The ingredient list for this recipe is minimal, but tasty. A little bit of cheese, zucchini slices, some olive oil and garlic and you have yourself a delicious meal!
Zucchini Pizza
I was SO skeptical of this recipe the first time my sister Landen made it, but it’s become a family favorite over the past decade. SO good.
Smitten Kitchen: Quick Zucchini Sauté
When the zucchini is multiplying faster than you can pick it, this speedy sauté is your five-minute ticket to getting it on the table before it goes soft in the fridge.
Smitten Kitchen: Herbed Summer Squash Pasta Bake
This bubbly, cheesy pasta bake is basically summer in a dish – plus, it’s a great way to sneak in a mountain of zucchini without anyone noticing.
Smitten Kitchen: Braised Chickpeas with Zucchini and Pesto
It’s cozy, it’s fresh, and it makes chickpeas feel like a treat! Thank the pesto and tender zucchini for that.
Smitten Kitchen: Zucchini Rice Gratin
Golden edges, cheesy top, soft zucchini underneath…this is the kind of side dish that quietly steals the show.
Wholesome Yum: Roasted Zucchini and Squash
The easiest way to eat your garden haul: slice, roast, and watch them turn irresistibly sweet, caramelized, and toasty.
Martha Stewart’s Zucchini and Squash Salad
This no-cook beauty is crisp, cool, and chic enough for any summer table…Martha would approve.
Wyse Guide: Ratatouille
Anyone else think of the sweet little rat from the Disney movie? This colorful comforting classic uses all the late-summer veggies. Bonus: it tastes even better the next day.
Skinny Taste: Crustless Zucchini Pie
Part quiche, part pie, all zucchini goodness! This light, cheesy bake makes an excellent breakfast, lunch, or snack straight from the fridge.
A Family Feast: Zucchini Tomato Italian Soup
Light yet flavorful, this Italian-inspired soup makes quick work of a zucchini and tomato surplus, especially when served with crusty garlic bread for dunking.
Pink Parsley: Cheesy Zucchini Rice
Zucchini melts right into this creamy, cheesy rice, making it the sneaky vegetable side dish kids (and adults) will devour.
Our Best Bites: Zucchini Gratin
Need a side dish for the protein you have planned? Sauteed zucchini and onions wrapped in a creamy sauce and topped with cheesy breadcrumbs would be just right.
Zucchini Fritters
If there is one recipe that came up countless times – it was Zucchini Fritters! Somehow a fried little patty of zucchini keeps you coming back for more. Sur La Table has a great recipe and Sally’s Baking Addiction too! And if you like your fritters with a bit of corn, you really can’t go wrong with these Making Thyme for Health: Zucchini Corn Fritters.
Andrea Buckett: Zucchini and White Bean Salad with Feta and Mint
Talk about fresh, whole food ingredients. Packed with fresh herbs and vegetables, this salad looks perfect for a summer night!
Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Baked Cheesy Zucchini Bites
Mel swears that even her veggie haters gobble up these baked cheesy zucchini bites.
Hungry Happens: Ground Beef Zucchini Bake
This ground beef zucchini bake is a great option if you are looking for a low carb, yet delicious and filling dinner!
Sally’s Baking Addiction: Zucchini Biscuits
Bart thinks a good biscuit can save any meal. Made with your standard biscuit ingredients, plus the zucchini, these are sure to be a hit at any dinner table.
SKinny Taste: Creamy Zucchini Soup
With zucchinis harvesting like crazy, that means fall weather is right around the corner. This also means cozy soups are on the menu. Try this one out this season!
Zucchini Slice
This recipe was thought up because there was just too much zucchini left and no one wanted anymore breads or muffins. They make a great side to any meal!
Breads, Muffins, Cakes & Desserts
Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Zucchini Banana Bread
I will never say no to a slice of banana bread and this one with the added zucchini makes me feel better about having more than one slice.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Cookies
These cookies are SO good (even my not-that-fond-of-zucchini children gobble them up) right out of the oven, PLUS they’re terrific frozen.
Oatmeal Zucchini Cookies
Add chocolate chips to any oatmeal cookie and I am in. If you are looking for something sweet to bake with your zucchini, this is a great option. Another honorary recipe mentioned is Two Peas and Their Pod.
Chocolate Zucchini Cake
When Mel says it’s the best chocolate zucchini cake of all time? I believe her. This looks full of flavor and something I would definitely want to eat after dinner! If you are looking for another chocolate zucchini cake without frosting, Cooking with Karli has a great recipe with the addition of nuts if that’s your thing.
The Best Zucchini Muffins
A little peach jam, plus nuts and dried cranberries make these truly the best zucchini muffins I’ve ever made. The crunchy top is the icing on the cake. I love these in place of making a zucchini bread because they are individual sized!
Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
I will pretty much say yes to any one-bowl recipe and will definitely say yes if it comes from Mel’s Kitchen. These look like a great option to send with a cold lunch or to have for an after school snack. The Balanced Nutritionist Double Chocolate Veggie Muffins were also another recommendation!
Two Peas and Their Pod: Lemon Zucchini Bread
I know lemon isn’t for everyone, however it 100% is for me. The moistness of this bread, with the glaze has me wanting to make it right away. If you are looking for one without the glaze and a poppyseed feel, this one from The Wanderlust Kitchen is the one to try!
Two Peas and Their Pod: Chocolate Zucchini Baked Oatmeal
This one ended up in the dessert category because of the addition of chocolate chips and I’m not mad about it at all. My kids would die if I made this for breakfast.
I Am Baker: Zucchini Brownies
Some people think chocolate cake and brownies are basically the same thing – I am not one of those people.
Lillie Eats and Tells: Brownie Baked Squash Oats
If you are a macro counter, Lillie is the absolute queen of good macro recipes. This specific recipe has made the rounds on the internet and I’m guessing for good reason.
The Food Nanny: Zucchini Bread
I have heard great things about the Food Nanny’s Kamut bread and I would bet this one is just as good!
The Balanced Nutritionist: Zucchini Protein Muffins
If you haven’t been living under a rock, you know that protein is all the rage right now. And truly, I’m a sucker for adding protein into a recipe to make it more hearty! These are definitely one I want to try!
Iron Oak Farm: Mock Apple Pie
I’m a bit dubious about this one – zucchini rather than apples?! Interesting enough to try!
The Salted Sweets: Cinnamon Zucchini Crumb Muffins
I have never met a cinnamon crumble topping I didn’t enjoy. These look and sound so tasty!
Beyond the Butter: One Bowl Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This was a very popular suggestion and no wonder. If you are looking to sneak in zucchini right under your children’s noses, this would be the recipe to try. You can’t see a fleck of green in any of the images and the chocolate chips on top have me drooling. The two most recommended was Beyond the Butter’s recipe, Six Sisters Stuff and The Balanced Nutritionist’s recipe!
Breakfast & Brunch Items
Once Upon a Chef: Zucchini and Cheddar Frittata
This frittata only has six ingredients – any meal that’s simple and doesn’t have one million fussy ingredients is always appealing!
Skinny Taste: Three Cheese Zucchini Quiche
I love a good quiche for breakfast, lunch or dinner! This recipe not only looks delicious, but is incredibly beautiful!
Zucchini Pancakes
We love pancakes around our house (even for dinner). These zucchini pancakes look amazing.
Any other favorite zucchini recipes? I’d love to hear!
I tried your double chocolate cookies a while back and they are awesome !! Nobody guessed there was zucchini inside, and the amount of (different) chocolates make them SO yummy !
I haven’t made these yet, but I keep coming back to this recipe because it looks so good.
https://iambaker.net/zucchini-brownies/
She also has a big zucchini recipe round up on her site – might be worth checking out.
Smitten Kitchen’s Zucchini Bread Pancakes are divine! The brown sugar caramelizes while they cook and makes them so delicious!!
These are two of our favorite zucchini/squash recipes. You can definitely exchange the squash in the fritters for zucchini. It’s definitely important to squeeze as much liquid out as possible before mixing with the other ingredients.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/50454/yellow-squash-patties/
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/double-chocolate-zucchini-bread/
We have been making your zucchini pizza for years! I love making it for guests because no one believes it will be delicious and then they love it! Lol.
We have about a half dozen zucchini plants in our garden this year, so I will definitely be using these! I expect some of our zucchini will be donated to the local food bank, but we’ll use plenty of it for our family as well!
I almost always add zucchini to my pancakes. I shred a small one, add the salt from the recipe to the zucchini, and let the water drain through a sieve. I smash all the water out after 20 min or so (or until all the dry ingredients are mixed) and then add my buttermilk to make up the rest of the liquid. That way I get to keep any vitamins that seeped out with the water! I can’t taste the zucchini at all.
I also LOVE smitten kitchen’s version of zucchini pizza https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/08/summer-squash-pizza/
I learned last year that I can grate and freeze zucchini. Then I can make our favorite zucchini brownies with peanut butter frosting anytime of the year!
Wait, I need this recipe!