Easy fresh zucchini recipes are great to keep handy in the summer when the market is overflowing with fresh vegetables. From classic zucchini bread to clever zucchini side dishes and pasta sauces, all the best ways to use fresh zucchini are here.
As a kid, I wasn't introduced to much fresh zucchini at our family dinner table. It only appeared in baked zucchini bread once in a rare while.
As an adult, I've learned just how delicious fresh zucchini can be and I love to use it in some of my favorite recipes.
I'm always on the look out for more ways to use this budget-friendly summer vegetable because the taste is so mild and easily pairs with tomatoes, cheese, chicken, or spices.
Whether you want to grate your zucchini, spiral it into zoodles, or chop it up and saute it with a skillet dinner, there are dozens of ways to use fresh zucchini for your family meal!
How to Pick a Perfect Zucchini
A perfectly fresh zucchini from the farmer's market stand or grocery store should be evenly shaped, plump, and firm.
A zucchini should also feel slightly heavy for it's size.
When choosing your zucchini, keep in mind:
- Size: If you are chopping or grating the zucchini, size won't matter but if you are making zucchini boats you'll definitely want to choose vegetables that are similar in size so they bake evenly.
- Shape: Some zucchini are more curved than others. If you plan to chop or grate it, the shape won't matter but for zucchini boats or other uses you may prefer a straighter shape so it cuts in half more evenly.
Storage Tips
Store uncut fresh zucchini in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I always keep mine in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
Once you've cut or spiraled the fresh zucchini, store it in the fridge but be sure to use it within 24 hours.
Fresh zucchini does not freeze well because of the high water content. If you want to freeze it, you're better off turning it into a freezer-friendly recipe like zucchini bread or vegetable soup.
30 Fresh Zucchini Recipes
Get all the best ideas for ways to use zucchini from delicious baked breads, simple skillet dinners, and creamy soups and sauces.
This classic zucchini bread is the perfect recipe for adding in a wide variety of mix-ins from chocolate chips to dried fruits and nuts.
You can even learn how to make a chocolate zucchini bread variation with this base recipe!
The zucchini bread that started it all! My kids grew up on this specific banana zucchini bread recipe. I made it any time they were feeling under the weather and it always perked them up.
This fun zucchini bread variation has a tropical twist to it with crushed pineapple and shredded coconut in the mix. YUM.
This veggie lasagna recipe is made with a surprising ingredient for the pasta layers -- won ton wrappers!
They bake up perfectly with the tender zucchini for delicious single-portion lasagna cups.
This decadent cheesy zucchini casserole is made right on the stovetop in a skillet. It makes a fantastic side dish for a baked dinner.
Fresh zucchini and yellow squash are just two of the vegetable heroes in this awesome meatless pasta dish. All the veggies are cooked with perfect timing for a crisp-tender texture.
I love the tiny chunks of fresh zucchini in this tomato based Tuscan chicken soup.
It has been my go-to recipe any time I need some healthy comfort food and it is made so quickly with a rotisserie chicken.
Have a little leftover grated zucchini after making zucchini bread? Use it up in this 4-ingredient cheesy zucchini side dish. The crispy breadcrumbs make it extra tasty.
This basic quiche recipe is the perfect blank palette for adding any veggie you love, it works great with leftover sautéed zucchini mixed in!
The original recipe calls for roasted broccoli, but use the same instructions for roasting zucchini and toss it with the cherry tomatoes, parmesan, and pasta. YUM!
Turn these cheese bread sticks into cheesy zucchini sticks just by adding grated zucchini to the cheese blend!
This summer corn chowder with zucchini from Life Made Simple looks right up my alley. It may be the first soup I try for soup season this year!
Julie's Eats & Treats' hamburger skillet with zucchini is a hearty way to serve it as a main dish for dinner.
I love the idea of making zucchini boats but I'm still looking for the perfect filling recipe for my family.
This jalapeno popper version looks absolutely amazing and I think the spicy, cheesy filling would be a huge hit with my kids.
This classic zucchini casserole from My Farmhouse Table would be right at home on the Thanksgiving table if you are looking for a new twist on a dish to pass.
I love how nibble-friendly these baked zucchini chips sprinkled with parmesan cheese are to eat. Set them out before dinner to get the kids to eat their veggies first!
Zucchini and cheese are a marriage made in heaven. Stir it into Iowa Girl Eat's rice side dish to go with any chicken or pork dinner you've got planned.
Better than french fries, these baked zucchini sticks from 365 Days of Baking are perfect for dunking!
I love zucchini and tomatoes but I never thought of making a zucchini salsa until I saw this recipe from Family Growing Pains!
Eggplant parmesan is one of my favorite things to order at an Italian restaurant but it can be tricky to get right at home.
This zucchini parmesan variation from The Cozy Cook is a brilliant solution since fresh zucchini is so much easier to work with!
Zucchini fritters are a classic spin on the potato pancake side dish. Love this version from DownShiftology.
For a more savory spin on zucchini bread, Serena Bakes Simply from Scratch uses it in a cheddar herb beer bread. The zucchini flavor melts right in.
Hassleback zucchini?? This roasted zucchini idea from Eat Well 101 is pure brilliance.
Zoodles are a favorite way to take your favorite pasta dish low carb.
My kids love it with tomato sauce but these garlic parmesan zoodles from Gimme Delicious look fantastic.
Need a simple side dish that includes lots of veggies? Eat Well 101 shows how to mix zucchini with potatoes and carrots for a one pan roasted veggie.
Zucchini and corn explode on the market stands at about the same time, why not mix them together with this delicious easy side dish?
Ginger and soy are a fresh spin on the zucchini side dish if you want to add it to an Asian flavored stir fry. I love that Forks and Folly sprinkles hers with sesame seeds.
Another cheesy skillet dinner featuring zucchini and corn but with a Tex Mex flavor. Love this idea from iFood Real.
If you're into canning, don't miss the zucchini relish from Grow a Good Life. What a great way to use up the last of the zucchini from your garden.
Serve a fresh basket of cheesy zucchini biscuits with dinner tonight. This recipe from Just a Little Bit of Bacon would be a huge hit with my kids.
Sun dried tomatoes add just a bit of sweetness and texture to this side dish from Yellow Bliss Road.
Creamy zucchini soup would be such an elegant appetizer for a dinner party or a simple supper to serve with some warm fresh homemade bread. Love this recipe from The Cozy Cook.
Toss your favorite pasta shape in this creamy zucchini sauce from A Family Feast.
You could add shredded rotisserie chicken for protein, too!
Iced zucchini cookies from Creations by Kara would be a sweet way to end your dinner.
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