23 Zucchini Recipes You’ll Want to Make Before Summer Ends
From crispy fritters to cheesy casseroles and chocolatey treats, these recipes make summer zucchini easy to use up.
As Ree Drummond puts it, summer is a time "when your garden is exploding with more zucchini than you know what to do with." Thankfully, zucchini is so versatile that there are endless easy recipes to try. In fact, there are so many different ways to cook zucchini that you could probably make it every night of the week and never get bored.
Whether you grill it, fry it, or even stuff it, there are tons of ways to put this summer vegetable to good use. Ahead, you'll find tons of quick 30-minute meals that put zucchini front and center. For instance, there's cheesy zucchini gratin and zucchini boats stuffed with beef chili. There are also plenty of ways to turn this type of summer squash into something crispy, like fried zucchini sticks or zucchini fritters with chipotle crema. There are even zucchini desserts that you can eat any time of day!
Trying to feed picky eaters? Just turn zucchini into fun zoodles for a twist on your favorite pasta recipes or turn slices into little pizza bites. Both are excellent ways to cut down on carbs and get your veggies at the same time. The options really are endless! And while zucchini is a popular choice for your summer recipes, you can also make these dishes whenever the craving strikes, because it's available practically all year round.
Zucchini Pizza Bites
These perfectly poppable bites make for an ideal snack or a quick dinner for both veggie and pizza lovers alike. Each zucchini slice is topped with sauce, cheese, and mini pepperoni.
Get Ree's Zucchini Pizza Bites recipe.
Grilled Zucchini
Ree's method for grilling zucchini keeps things simple. She tosses the spears in a lemony marinade, then finishes the dish with a homemade lemon salt. You can grill them outside or inside on a grill pan.
Get Ree's Grilled Zucchini recipe.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins
These any-time-of-day muffins are packed with freshly grated zucchini, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and just the right amount of chocolate chips to make them a treat without being overly sweet.
Get Ree's Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins recipe.
Zucchini Gratin
Turn a humble vegetable into something special any night of the week. With a creamy cheese sauce, crisp topping, and layers of tender squash, it’s an easy way to get everyone to eat their veggies.
Get the Zucchini Gratin recipe.
Zucchini Ribbon Skewers
Impress everyone at your next cookout! These zucchini ribbon skewers only cook for a few minutes per side. Then top them with balsamic glaze, parmesan, and basil, and watch them disappear faster than you can say “ribbon.”
Get Ree’s Zucchini Ribbon Skewers recipe.
Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles
These beef meatballs are packed with extra flavor thanks to salty, tangy feta cheese. Toss them with lemony zoodles for an easy recipe that only takes 25 minutes to make.
Get Ree's Feta Meatballs with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
Zucchini Lasagna
Instead of pasta, these lasagna layers feature thin slices of zucchini. And while there’s no meat in sight, it’s still hearty and filling thanks to mushrooms, spinach, and plenty of cheese.
Get Ree's Zucchini Lasagna recipe.
Triple Chocolate Zucchini Bread
This tender loaf is deeply chocolatey thanks to a combination of milk and bittersweet chocolate chips, plus cocoa powder. You won't even realize that zucchini is added in, but it does make it nice and moist.
Get Ree's Triple Chocolate Zucchini Bread recipe.
White Zucchini Pizza
Swap out your typical pizza sauce for creamy, yogurt-based labneh instead. When topped with zucchini and yellow squash rounds, it's a Mediterranean twist on a summer pizza.
Get the White Zucchini Pizza recipe.
Stuffed Zucchini
Turn zucchini into a show-stopping main with this recipe for zucchini boats that are filled with Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and cheese—just like your favorite pizza without all the carbs!
Get the Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Mock Apple Pie
Nope, this pie is not made with apples. If you have a hankerin' for a taste of fall but it's still summer, make it with zucchini! It'll fool everyone.
Get the Mock Apple Pie recipe.
Corn and Zucchini Pasta
Fresh, sweet corn just off the cob and tender zucchini make the perfect summer pairing, especially in this simple, cheesy pasta dish. Have it on the table in just about half an hour.
Get Ree's Corn and Zucchini Pasta recipe.
Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
This cheesy side dish is chock-full of summer zucchini. But it's the crunchy panko topping that'll have you going back for more. Serve it up with grilled steak, chicken, or even fish.
Get the Cheesy Zucchini Casserole recipe.
Fried Zucchini
Say hello to your new favorite snack! The French fry-like dish is made with zucchini sticks that are breaded and crunchy, and served up with ranch dressing for dipping.
Get the Fried Zucchini recipe.
Zucchini Bread
This popular quick bread is a great way to have veggies and your chocolate, too! The zucchini helps keep the bread moist and it adds a boost of nutrients to the decadent treat.
Get the Zucchini Bread recipe.
Zucchini Fritters with Chipotle Crema
These fritters get extra crispy around the edges thanks to the grated zucchini. They're delicious on their own, but even better when served up with the creamy chipotle-lime crema.
Chili-Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Another fun filling for stuffed zucchini is piling on a homemade beef chili. Just don't forget to finish the dish with melty cheddar cheese, sliced scallions, and sour cream.
Get Ree's Chili-Stuffed Zucchini Boats recipe.
Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles
This lightened-up twist on stir-fry swaps the noodles for spiralized zucchini instead! But don't worry, it still has plenty of spicy stir-fry sauce and succulent shrimp.
Get Ree's Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles recipe.
Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake
Using zucchini helps keep this coffee cake extra moist and delicious. Then, it's finished with a lemony crumb topping and sweet lemon glaze.
Get the Lemon Zucchini Coffee Cake recipe.
Pasta with Zucchini Pesto
Out of all the different variations on homemade pesto, this one just screams summertime fun! The herby pasta sauce is actually made by blending up summer zucchini with tarragon, parsley, almonds, and garlic.
Get Ree's Pasta with Zucchini Pesto recipe.
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