51 All-Star Zucchini Recipes That Demand Your Attention This Summer

Of all the summer veggies, there's one that stands out from the pack as far as recipe versatility is concerned—and that's zucchini. This squash can be cooked in a myriad of different ways, is readily available all season long (not to mention affordable) and can be used for healthy meals or decadent pasta—whichever you prefer. Luckily we included lots of options for both below, in our list of 51 best zucchini recipes.

How to Cook Zucchini

Zucchini can be steamed for low-carb and keto-friendly side dishes, air fried for crunchy sticks, baked into gratins, casseroles and quiche, and of course, sautéed. Then there are the ever-popular zucchini noodle dishes to try. You can either spiralize your own zoods at home or buy them ready to go at the store. Just make sure you add them at the end of whatever recipe you're making—otherwise, they can tend to get a bit mushy. Raw zucchini can also be made into salads and soups, layered in lasagna and stuffed, or rolled for bite-size summer nibbles.

Best Zucchini Recipes

From zucchini pasta and bread to baked, stuffed, and fried zucchini, there are so many genius ways to use up that bounty of farm-fresh squash! For the kiddos, there are crispy zucchini fries and coins. There are also yummy cupcakes, muffins and cake that sneak in some extra veggies without them knowing.

And for the grownups looking for a few fancified dinner party recipes, try Monterey Jack Turkey Burgers with Zucchini-Tomato Sauté, Hot and Spicy Zucchini Slaw or Poached Shrimp with Zucchini Pesto Rotini Pasta. 

If you're looking for low-carb, healthy, lightened-up zucchini recipes we have plenty of those in the form of veggie roll-ups, chilled soups and obviously, oodles of zoodles.

Zucchini is also the best in boats! Simply carve out the seeds in the middle to make a little trough, then fill them up with cooked meat, cheese and more veggies for easy, stress-free dinners.

Related: The Best Baked Zucchini Recipes

There you have it—the most mouthwatering recipes for summer when you have a lot of zucchini on hand. Browse through these easy ideas and don't forget to pin your favorites!

Grilled Zucchini Roll-Ups

<p>Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn</p>

Mark Boughton Photography / styling by Teresa Blackburn

Pro-tip for this recipe: Be sure you don’t overcook the zucchini, or it will get too watery.

Get the recipe

Mediterranean Zucchini Roasted With Olives, Feta & Tomatoes

<p>David Loftus</p>

David Loftus

Zucchini can be unfairly maligned, but try this pantry dish and you’ll have new green-vegetable converts in your house. Add a bowl of lemony couscous on the side for a lovely light dinner.

Get the recipe

Crispy Zucchini Pancakes with Cool Tzatziki Sauce

<p>Photo by: CIA/Ben Fink</p>

Photo by: CIA/Ben Fink

The delicious combination of cool tzatziki sauce and crispy, warm zucchini pancakes makes this a can't-miss dish.

Get the recipe

Mozzarella-Zucchini Bake

<p>CALLIE BLOUNT</p>

CALLIE BLOUNT

Turn frozen mozzarella sticks into an easy side dish.

Get the recipe

Zucchini & Goat Cheese Tart with Walnuts

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

This simple—yet special—side goes with just about anything you’re serving.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Fries

<p>Beth Moncel</p>

Beth Moncel

Zucchini plants are a great addition to any garden because they're easy to grow and produce a big harvest of incredibly versatile squash. This recipe for baked zucchini fries is the perfect, kid-friendly way to use that bumper crop of zucchini this summer.

Get the recipe

Chicken & Zucchini Couscous Casserole

<p>Teresa Blackburn</p>

Teresa Blackburn

Feed your family fast with this satisfying zucchini casserole.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Carpaccio

<p>Just Us Four</p>

Just Us Four

This is the perfect no-cook picnic dish: zucchini carpaccio! The wonderful thing about the zucchini carpaccio is that there is zero cooking required and the most difficult part of the recipe is cutting the zucchini, which takes almost no time.

Get the recipe

Roasted Chicken and Tomato-Zucchini Panzanella Salad

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

Slice and serve these oven-roasted chickens to make Roasted Chicken and Tomato-Zucchini Panzanella Salad for a super simple, yet satisfying, summer meal.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Lasagna Casserole

<p>Ben Fink</p>

Ben Fink

This recipe gets two thumbs-up not only for being gluten-free, but also for allowing you to keep your blood sugar in check. By replacing lasagna noodles with thin layers of sliced zucchini, the carbs stay low, but the flavor is still full and zesty.

Get the recipe

Linguine with Zucchini

<p>iStockphoto</p>

iStockphoto

Zucchini adds a crunch (and pop of color!) to this flavorful linguine.

Get the recipe

Black Bean and Grilled Zucchini Tostada with Annatto Sauce and Goat Cheese

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Incorporating a hearty puree as a side dish, like this black bean agave puree, allows you to create a satisfying meal for the whole family. And don’t forget to make use of the grill! Thick, grilled veggies have so much texture and flavor that nobody misses the meat. Rub canola oil and chili powder on zucchini, olive oil and rosemary on eggplant, or homemade pesto on Roma tomatoes.

Get the recipe

Mindy Kaling's Garden Spinach Ricotta Ravioli

<p>HelloFresh</p>

HelloFresh

McDonald's might have cheered up Mindy Lahiri on The Mindy Project, but if there is one food we turn to for comfort, it's pasta. Like the actress, you do not have to be "really a chef" to whip up the 15-minute dish at home. The ravioli's ingredients include spinach ricotta ravioli, scallions and zucchini to name a few.

Get the recipe

Blueberry-Zucchini Bread

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Both blueberries and zucchini are everywhere right now—for a great price too. Take advantage of this delicious summer bounty and make this recipe for Blueberry-Zucchini Bread.

Get the recipe

Related: 50 Blueberry Recipes To Devour During Summer

Avocado, Zucchini & Tomato Salsa

<p>Getty Images</p>

Getty Images

Toss chopped avocado, tomato and zucchini together for a new spin on salsa.

Get the recipe

Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Tomato Gratin

<p>Carrie Vitt</p>

Carrie Vitt

This recipe for Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Tomato Gratin comes from Carrie Vitt's cookbook, The Grain-Free Family Table, and it's basically a home cook's best friend for everything from basic staples to gourmet dishes, like this easy gratin recipe.

Get the recipe

Monterey Jack Turkey Burgers with Zucchini-Tomato Sauté

<p>Dasha Wright</p>

Dasha Wright

The Monterey Jack cheese mixed into the ground turkey helps make these patties flavorful and moist. This dish has six main ingredients; staples to have on hand include olive oil, butter, salt, pepper and cooking spray.

Get the recipe

Almost Keto Zucchini Lasagna Bolognese

Certified nutritionist and author of cookbook Almost Keto, Aimee Aristotelous says, "Batch cooking is a common term in the nutrition world when it comes to weight loss and wellness." Here's one of her favorite pantry-friendly lasagna recipes.

Get the recipe

Zucchini with Orzo

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This vegetable orzo dish is quick to make and big on taste.

Get the recipe

Veggie-rific Noodle-Free Lasagna

<p>dashrecipes.com</p>

dashrecipes.com

Thinly sliced zucchini, portabella mushroom, and eggplant are layered with tomatoes, Italian seasonings, soy crumbles and a blend of three kinds of cheese. You won't miss the noodles in this lightened-up, vegetarian take on lasagna.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Poached Shrimp with a Zucchini Pesto Rotini Pasta

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

When Chef Rahaf Amer’s dinner guests asked her to create a recipe using rotini, shrimp, and zucchini, she did not disappoint!

Get the recipe

Zucchini, Bacon and Gruyère Quiche

All of our favorite quiche ingredients come together in a breakfast or brunch dish worth getting up for.

Get the recipe

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake Recipe

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

At this point in the summer, gardens are booming with zucchini crop. Gifting to neighbors is a great idea. And utilizing it in your own kitchen is an even better idea. Zucchini is wonderful to be eaten in so many ways, including cake!

Get the recipe

Zucchini Sauté

Enjoy the flavors of the zucchini in this sautéed and simmered side.

Get the recipe

Chicken Alfredo with Zucchini

<p>Teresa Blackburn</p>

Teresa Blackburn

Classic Chicken Alfredo gets a summertime spin with farm-fresh zucchini.

Get the recipe

Best-Ever Zucchini Bread or Muffins

<p>Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine</p>

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine

The trick is to buy zucchini when it's low in price, then shred it and freeze it! Voila—zucchini treats all year long.

Get the recipe

Greek-Style Chicken & Couscous with Zucchini and Olives

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

Give plain chicken breasts a global twist with the help of colorful veggies and fast-cooking couscous. For extra ?avor, serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over top.

Get the recipe

Carrot-Parsnip-Zucchini Bread

<p>Ditte Isager</p>

Ditte Isager

This is a hearty bread—rich with traditional fall spices—that works perfectly during the summer or on the first chilly days of autumn.

Get the recipe

Crispy Zucchini Coins

<p>Skinny Sweets Daily</p>

Skinny Sweets Daily

Delicious zucchini coins are a great recipe the whole family will love. They are simple, easy and ideal for busy weeknight meals for your family.

Get the recipe

Bruschetta Zucchini Bites

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Now is the perfect time to be using zucchini in tons of recipes. From zucchini carpaccio to zucchini noodles, July and August are when gardens are producing lots of great crops that are begging to be used in all of your recipes. Bruschetta zucchini bites are a great way to use up zucchini and have a fresh and delicious appetizer or lunch.

Get the recipe

Chicken and Zucchini Tortas

<p>Andrew Purcell for Dash; Food styling, Carrie Purcell; Prop styling, Heather Chontos</p>

Andrew Purcell for Dash; Food styling, Carrie Purcell; Prop styling, Heather Chontos

Add south-of-the-border sizzle to your next barbecue.

Get the recipe

Chicken Zucchini Kebabs

<p>Photo by: Con Poulos</p>

Photo by: Con Poulos

Get veggies and protein on one skewer with these zucchini, bell pepper and chicken kebabs.

Get the recipe

Chicken Penne with Grilled Zucchini

<p>The Kids Cook Monday</p>

The Kids Cook Monday

Eggplant and zucchini are grilled and tossed with shredded chicken, tomatoes and whole wheat penne pasta. Kids will have fun tearing up basil leaves and crumbling tangy feta cheese with their hands.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Bread

<p>iStock photo</p>

iStock photo

Two cups of grated zucchini are baked into this moist bread. Nuts are optional add-ins.

Get the recipe

Cold Zucchini Soup

<p>Photo by: Con Poulos</p>

Photo by: Con Poulos

This chilled soup is the perfect dish to help counter summer heat.

Get the recipe

Sweet and Sour Zucchini

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This delicious dish is easy to make, is packed with vegetables, and is a great side at a small party. Just toss it all together, throw it in the fridge and forget about it until tomorrow.

Get the recipe

Hot and Spicy Zucchini Slaw

<p>Photo by Greg DuPree/Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey/Prop Styling by Mindi Shapiro</p>

Photo by Greg DuPree/Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey/Prop Styling by Mindi Shapiro

This light, easy slaw, from Chef Todd Richards' cookbook Soul, is a zippy way to use big, end-of-season zucchini. Look for sambal oelek, a spicy Indonesian chile sauce, in the Asian foods aisle at the supermarket.

Get the recipe

Veggie Wraps with Zucchini

<p>iStockphoto</p>

iStockphoto

These quick vegetable wraps can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 8 hours.

Get the recipe

Zucchini-Carrot Cupcakes

<p>Photo by: Yunhee Kim</p>

Photo by: Yunhee Kim

These easy after-school treats will make the grade with kids.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Primavera

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

Primavera is French for spring, and this recipe features baby spring vegetables. You can, however, make this any time of year using the adult versions of these veggies. Cut them small, and be careful not to overcook them.

Get the recipe

Vegetable Tian

<p>Beth Moncel</p>

Beth Moncel

Blogger Beth Moncel shares an inexpensive way to cook up a delicious, yet healthy vegetable side dish: Squash Tian.

Get the recipe

Shaved Zucchini Salad

<p>TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

TERESA BLACKBURN

Beat salad boredom and put a fresh spin on the lunchtime favorite by slicing veggies super thin. This pretty Shaved Zucchini Salad with protein-rich chickpeas, fresh basil and a simple dressing is sure to become a staple in your go-to salad repertoire.

Get the recipe

Baked Chicken Parmesan with Zucchini Noodles

<p>MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN</p>

MARK BOUGHTON PHOTOGRAPHY / STYLING BY TERESA BLACKBURN

Lighten up the classic with this version from Kelly Smith, blogger at thenourishinghome.com. The meal meets lower-carb diet goals without skimping on flavor. Smith uses baked chicken and swaps pasta for spiralized vegetables (found in the produce section of most grocery stores).

Get the recipe

Cheesy Italian Zucchini Soup

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This bright green soup is a creamy (but cream-less!) way to welcome spring, from PARADE Chef Jon Ashton. It comes together in less than 30 minutes and is perfect for a light dinner, served with crusty bread.

Get the recipe

Whole30 Ginger Shrimp and Zucchini Noodle Stir-Fry

<p>Melissa Hartwig</p>

Melissa Hartwig

Keeping a couple of 1-pound bags of peeled and deveined shrimp in your freezer means that with just a couple of fresh ingredients, dinner is a cinch to get on the table.

Get the recipe

Curtis Stone's Grilled Chicken with Arugula and Zucchini Salad

<p>Andrew Purcell for Dash; Food styling, Carrie Purcell; Prop styling, Heather Chontos</p>

Andrew Purcell for Dash; Food styling, Carrie Purcell; Prop styling, Heather Chontos

“This is something that we cook more day to day because it’s a really healthy dish.” — Curtis Stone

Get the recipe

Super Quick Spaghetti with Zucchini and Roasted Peppers

A fresh summer pasta made with in-season zucchini and roasted red peppers. If you're short on time, feel free to use a jar of roasted red peppers instead.

Get the recipe

Romesco Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini Noodles

<p>Parade</p>

Parade

This dish is just as delicious served cold, substituting pesto for the romesco sauce, and cold cucumber noodles instead of steamed zoodles.

Get the recipe

Best-Ever Zucchini Fritters

<p>What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine</p>

What's Cookin Italian Style Cuisine

These fritters are delicious plain or dipped in tomato sauce as a bonus appetizer! You can eat these as a snack or side dish. Either way, you just found a keeper.

Get the recipe

Zucchini Tuna Boats

<p>Elizabeth Nyland/Cooking with Avocados</p>

Elizabeth Nyland/Cooking with Avocados

Lunches can get pretty boring if all you ever eat are leftovers, sandwiches or takeout. Tuna can be overlooked for many reasons, not least of which is the memory of being forced to eat your mom’s tuna fish sandwiches every day as a youngster. These awesome zucchini boats not only reinvent tuna for lunch but also appeal to a wide crowd.

Get the recipe

Zucchini and Snow Pea Salad

<p>Photo by: Con Poulos</p>

Photo by: Con Poulos

The best part about this refreshing salad? It can be made two hours ahead and chilled.

Get the recipe

Up next: How to Make the Best-Ever Creamy Coleslaw, According to Chef Andrew Zimmern (and His Mom)