19 Zucchini Side Dishes You’ll Want to Make Forever

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If you’re a fan of zucchini, you'll love these side dishes! They're a great way to use the summer vegetable and complement any main course perfectly. EatingWell readers agree, since they’ve rated each recipe with four- and five-star ratings. This summer, step up your zucchini game by trying out tasty options like our Zucchini Bites with Pesto & Burrata or Sautéed Zucchini & Onions with Chive Butter.

01 of 19

Zucchini Salad with Burrata

a recipe photo of the Zucchini Salad

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop stylist: Lindsey Lower

This zucchini salad is a taste of peak-season bliss, combining sun-kissed zucchini with the creaminess of burrata cheese. Pink peppercorns offer a sweet, fruity and slightly floral taste which pairs nicely with the citrus flavors in the dressing; however, freshly ground black pepper can be used in their place.

02 of 19

Zucchini Bites with Pesto & Burrata

Zucchini Bites with Pesto & Burrata on a small plate

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Broiled zucchini slices are the perfect vessel for delivering small bites of creamy burrata cheese with herbaceous pesto for a quick and easy side.

03 of 19

Cheesy Zucchini with Hot Honey

a recipe photo of the Cheesy Zucchini Slices

Photographer: Stacy k. Allen, Props: Christina Brockman, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling

These cheesy baked zucchini slices are topped with a mixture of creamy feta cheese and melty mozzarella and finished off on a sweet note with a drizzle of hot honey.

04 of 19

Roasted Zucchini with Herby Whipped Ricotta

Roasted Zucchini with Whipped Ricotta on a plate

Ali Redmond

This roasted zucchini with whipped ricotta and fresh herbs features a delightful blend of creamy, savory and herbaceous flavors with a hint of roasted sweetness. It's the perfect way to enjoy zucchini this summer! Whipping ricotta cheese lightens the texture. If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can whisk it vigorously by hand.

05 of 19

Sautéed Zucchini & Onions with Chive Butter

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Switch up the chives for whatever's growing in your garden—basil or dill would also be delicious in the compound butter that tops this simple sautéed zucchini.

06 of 19

Baked Parmesan Zucchini Curly Fries

baked parmesan zucchini curly fries on a plate

This healthy recipe combines two bar-food favorites—fried zucchini and curly fries. Serve these baked zucchini fries with a simple dipping sauce made with ranch dressing and marinara sauce.

07 of 19

Parmesan-&-Herb-Crusted Zucchini

a recipe photo of the Parmesan & Herb Crusted Zucchini
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Annie Probst

 This Parmesan-and-herb-crusted zucchini features a crispy crust of golden-brown baked cheese in every bite and is a perfect pairing for chicken, burgers or steak.

08 of 19

Balsamic Roasted Zucchini with Feta

overhead shot of balsamic roasted zucchini on a sheet pan

Here, we roast zucchini until it softens and soaks up the flavor of balsamic vinegar. The sweet flavors are complemented by salty feta cheese sprinkled on just before serving.

09 of 19

Caprese Zucchini Casserole

Caprese Zucchini Casserole

A summertime favorite—zucchini casserole—gets revitalized in this delicious caprese-style dish with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil.

10 of 19

Garlic-Parmesan Hasselback Zucchini

Garlic-Parmesan Hasselback Zucchini

Using the hasselback technique—cutting partially into a whole fruit or vegetable every 1/2 inch or so—gives you an easy way to sneak lots of flavor into this healthy zucchini recipe. 

11 of 19

Summer Succotash Salad

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This summer salad is based on the Southern favorite, succotash, and is a fresh-tasting combination of butter beans, corn, summer squash and tomatoes.

12 of 19

Curried Zucchini & Couscous

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Made all in one saucepan, this curried zucchini and couscous recipe is a quick side dish, perfect to serve with grilled meats. For a little sweetness, throw in a handful of raisins with the carrots.

13 of 19

Roasted Baby Zucchini with Lemon Labneh

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This easy vegetable side dish shines alongside roasted or seared steak, chicken, shrimp or firm fish, such as cod or salmon. Sumac lends punchy, fruity, sour-lemon notes to this fast and simple recipe.

14 of 19

Zucchini & Mushroom Sauté

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Here, we sauté zucchini and mushrooms with fragrant basil for a simple and delicious side. Other fresh herbs, like thyme or oregano, work well too.

15 of 19

Air-Fryer Zucchini

air fryer zucchini
Jacob Fox

Zucchini crisps up nicely in this simple recipe. The interior is creamy and soft without feeling mushy, with the outside remaining crispy. A squeeze of lemon after cooking adds brightness and tang.

16 of 19

Grilled Zucchini with Parmesan

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Grilled zucchini is one of the great food joys of summer. In this easy recipe, the crunchy, bright breadcrumbs offset the sweet, soft zucchini in the most delightful way. 

17 of 19

5-Ingredient Zucchini-Feta Roll-Ups

Zucchini-Feta Roll-Ups up-close on a plate, low angle

Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Annie Probst

These zucchini-feta roll-ups are quick and easy to pull together. They are plenty flavorful on their own, but they can also be served with marinara sauce or pesto for dipping.

18 of 19

Zucchini Parmesan Casserole

zucchini parmesan pesto casserole
Brie Passano

A topping of crunchy panko breadcrumbs contrasts with the delicate squash, and onion, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper pack this casserole with flavor. Melty Parmesan cheese is in the mix to bring it all together.

19 of 19

Smashed & Loaded Zucchini

Smashed Loaded Zucchini on a plate

Jen Causey

Everything bagel seasoning makes these zucchini bites—the onion, garlic and nutty sesame seeds complement tangy sour cream, Cheddar cheese, bacon and chives just like a classic loaded baked potato.

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