Zucchini: A Versatile & Delicious Veggie

  • These 20 recipes will give you the most out of the green squash, whether you serve it as a main course or side dish. Enjoy!

  • Abundant in late spring and summer, zucchini is just as versatile as it is delicious. You can sauté or roast it for a simple side dish, toss it with pasta for a fresh main course, or serve it for breakfast in a zucchini bread. With these 20 recipes, you'll never have to wonder what to do with zucchini again!

    If you love in-season summer vegetables, try these grilled vegetable recipes or toss them in refreshing summer salads.

    Yogurt-Zucchini Bread with Walnuts

    Yogurt-Zucchini Bread with Walnuts

    This moist, nutty bread is a terrific way to use up late-summer zucchini. The walnuts in the bread are super-heart-healthy, and the yogurt adds moisture without any fat.

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini with Roasted Almonds and Zucchini Bread Croutons

    Zucchini with Roasted Almonds and Zucchini Bread Croutons

    Whipping up an all-natural meal has never been easier — or more delicious — than with this 10-minute recipe. Just make the zucchini bread ahead of time and use leftovers for the homemade crouton toppings.

    Save Recipe

    Mary's Zucchini with Parmesan

    Mary's Zucchini with Parmesan

    Simple and delicious, the almost caramelized zucchini are topped with a Parmesan crust. Serve it like a wedge of pizza, straight from the pan, with the cheese side up.

    Save Recipe

    Greek-Style Stuffed Zucchini with Tomatoes

    Greek-Style Stuffed Zucchini with Tomatoes

    This easy and healthy dinner for two is ready fast, in just over 30 minutes. Season lean ground beef with Greek spices, and use it to stuff zucchini halves.

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini-and-Pepper Gratin with Herbs and Cheese

    Zucchini-and-Pepper Gratin with Herbs and Cheese

    NYC chef Daniel Humm uses the pleasantly salty Sbrinz cheese to top this gratin made with a ratatouille-like mix of sautéed zucchini strips, bell peppers, and tomato. Parmigiano-Reggiano, another hard, aged, cow's milk cheese, is a fine substitute.

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini Carpaccio

    Zucchini Carpaccio

    Create a light summer salad with layers of zucchini and avocado topped with lemon juice for a healthy side dish.

    Save Recipe

    Ravioli and Zucchini Lasagna

    Ravioli and Zucchini Lasagna

    For a change of pace, we've replaced standard lasagna noodles with cheese-filled ravioli and layered them with fresh zucchini slices. Let this dish cool for five to 10 minutes before serving to ensure proper slicing.

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini-Potato Latkes with Tzatziki

    Zucchini-Potato Latkes with Tzatziki

    Tzatziki, a flavorful Greek yogurt sauce laced with cucumber, is a tangy accompaniment for these high-fiber latkes. Enjoy with sliced fresh tomatoes and a few kalamata olives or put patties and tzatziki in pita pockets for lunch on the go.

    Save Recipe

    Grilled Zucchini with Fresh Mozzarella

    Grilled Zucchini with Fresh Mozzarella

    The delicate taste of fresh mozzarella offers a delicious counterpoint to the garlic-and-vinegar-macerated zucchini. However, if you prefer a stronger flavor, try goat cheese instead.

    Save Recipe

    Herbed Zucchini Soup

    Herbed Zucchini Soup

    This is one of the few soups that make the cut in summer. Serve it chilled to take the edge off a hot August night.

    Save Recipe

    Marinated Zucchini with Bow Ties

    Marinated Zucchini with Bow Ties

    Garden-fresh zucchini and tomatoes make a beautiful pasta, perfect for a warm summer night's dinner. It can be served hot or at room temperature, either for four as a main course or for eight as a side dish with grilled chicken, for instance.

    Save Recipe

    Chicken with Whole-Grain Mustard and Zucchini in Packets

    Chicken with Whole-Grain Mustard and Zucchini in Packets

    Mustard and thyme flavor chicken and veggies — a combo of zucchini, banana peppers, and grape tomatoes — in this easy grilled dinner.

    Save Recipe

    Shrimp-and-Feta-Stuffed Zucchini

    Shrimp-and-Feta-Stuffed Zucchini

    Chef Ana Sortun tops stuffed zucchini with a tangy sauce of feta, olive oil, and Hungarian peppers (spicy wax chiles). To keep it simple, you can just top the roasted zucchini with a little feta, then broil briefly.

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini Frittata

    Zucchini Frittata

    In this version of the Italian frittata, fresh mint and basil brighten the mild taste of zucchini. If you prefer, use feta or ricotta salata in place of the goat cheese.

    Save Recipe

    Roasted Zucchini and Pesto

    Roasted Zucchini and Pesto

    Roasted and tossed with your favorite pesto, zucchini turns into an almost-instant summer side dish in just 25 minutes.

    Save Recipe

    Spaghetti with Grilled Shrimp, Zucchini, and Salsa Verde

    Spaghetti with Grilled Shrimp, Zucchini, and Salsa Verde

    Rustic salsa verde is an ideal accompaniment to grilled shrimp. We've taken it a step further and added the shrimp, with zucchini, to pasta.

    Save Recipe

    Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks

    Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks

    These zucchini sticks are every bit as good as the restaurant-appetizer version — no deep fryer required. And they're a great way to get kids to eat their veggies!

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini Rice Casserole

    Zucchini Rice Casserole

    We pack extra vegetables — zucchini, bell pepper, and corn — into this cheesy baked rice casserole. Plus we substitute brown rice for white, reduce the cheese by half, and swap turkey sausage for pork sausage.

    Save Recipe

    Tortellini and Zucchini Soup

    Tortellini and Zucchini Soup

    We know tortellini make a quick weeknight pasta dinner — but they also add substance that turns this quick zucchini-laced vegetable soup into a meal.

    Save Recipe

    Zucchini and Ham Ribbons

    Zucchini and Ham Ribbons

    Shave summer zucchini into thin ribbons for this no-cook summer salad, which is flavored with a fresh pistachio pesto.

    Save Recipe

    Healthy, Energy-Boosting Recipes for Kid Athletes

    Football, soccer, baseball, volleyball, basketball, swimming — many kids spend the year bouncing from one sports season to the next. It takes a lot of energy to fuel all of that running around, so power up your little athlete with these healthy recipes. Our tasty meals and snacks are the perfect fuel for your young athletic star.
    Want more meal ideas for kids? Check out these kid-friendly dinners and these recipes ready in minutes.

    Mini Rice-Cake Stacks

    Want to make a healthy snack fast? It takes 5 minutes to make these rice-cake sandwiches that are filled with peanut butter and bananas.

    Recipe: Mini Rice-Cake Stacks

     

    image

    Quick Kebabs

    This after-school snack — a delicious mix of turkey, Cheddar cheese, and fresh and dried fuits — is ready to serve in just five minutes.

    Recipe: Quick Kebabs

    image

    Spicy Energy Mix

    Sweet mangos and dates mixed with crunchy pumpkin seeds get a dose of heat from store-bought spice rub.

    Recipe: Spicy Energy Mix

    image

    Gorp (Trail Mix

    )

    This energy-packed mix contains almonds, dry-roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, chopped dates, and chocolate chips. Customize it with your favorite dried fruits and nuts.

    Recipe: Gorp

    image

    Almond-Honey Power Bar

    Golden roasted nuts, seeds, and oats are enveloped by flavorful almond butter in these delectably chewy, no-fuss energy bars. Unrefined turbinado sugar adds a deep caramelly undertone.

    image

    Thermos-Ready Smoothie

    Four ingredients and five minutes — that's all you need to make this fiber-rich drink. Pour it into a thermos for an on-the-go breakfast.

    Recipe: Thermos-Ready Smoothie

    image

    Southwestern Cheese Panini

    This might be the most beautiful grilled cheese sandwich you've ever seen. The shredded carrot and zucchini hide nicely from vegetable-phobes in the sharp Cheddar. Salsa adds zip while binding everything together to prevent the filling from falling out while you're flipping.

    Recipe: Southwestern Cheese Panini

    image

    Great Food for Your Body

    Treat your body right. Try these recipes from EatingWell:

    Recipes to Fuel Your Body
    7 Foods to Keep You Young

    image