• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peanut Blossom
  • Start Here
  • Recipes
  • Book Club
  • Cookbooks
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • HOLIDAYS
  • BOOK CLUB
  • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • HOLIDAYS
    • BOOK CLUB
    • COOKBOOKS
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Blog » Meal Planning

    30 Easy Ways to Use Zucchini

    Published: Aug 8, 2022 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

    • Share
    • Email Friend!
    A photo collage shows several of the best zucchini recipes.

    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.

    A basket filled with fresh zucchini.

    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.

    Mix & Match Zucchini Bread

    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!

    Banana Zucchini Bread

    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.

    Garden Lasagna Cupcakes

    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.

    Tuscan Chicken Soup

    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.

    Easy Quiche with Zucchini

    This basic quiche recipe is the perfect blank palette for adding any veggie you love, it works great with leftover sautéed zucchini mixed in!

    Roasted Zucchini Pasta Toss

    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!

    Homemade Pokey Sticks

    Turn these cheese bread sticks into cheesy zucchini sticks just by adding grated zucchini to the cheese blend!

    Summer Corn and Zucchini Chowder

    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!

    Hamburger and Zucchini Skillet

    Julie's Eats & Treats' hamburger skillet with zucchini is a hearty way to serve it as a main dish for dinner.

    Jalapeno Popper Zucchini Boats

    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.

    Easy Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

    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.

    Baked Zucchini Chips

    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!

    Creamy Parmesan Zucchini Rice

    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.

    Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks

    Better than french fries, these baked zucchini sticks from 365 Days of Baking are perfect for dunking!

    Zucchini Salsa

    I love zucchini and tomatoes but I never thought of making a zucchini salsa until I saw this recipe from Family Growing Pains!

    Zucchini Parmesan

    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

    Zucchini fritters are a classic spin on the potato pancake side dish. Love this version from DownShiftology.

    Zucchini Cheddar Cheese Herb Beer Bread

    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.

    Garlic Parmesan Roasted Zucchini

    Hassleback zucchini?? This roasted zucchini idea from Eat Well 101 is pure brilliance.

    Garlic Parmesan Zoodles

    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.

    Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Zucchini

    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.

    Parmesan Zucchini and Corn

    Zucchini and corn explode on the market stands at about the same time, why not mix them together with this delicious easy side dish?

    Hibachi-Style Sesame Ginger Zucchini

    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.

    Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini

    Another cheesy skillet dinner featuring zucchini and corn but with a Tex Mex flavor. Love this idea from iFood Real.

    Zucchini Relish Canning Recipe

    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.

    Zucchini Cheddar Biscuits

    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.

    Sauteed Zucchini with Sun Dried Tomatoes

    Sun dried tomatoes add just a bit of sweetness and texture to this side dish from Yellow Bliss Road.

    Zucchini Soup

    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.

    Creamy Zucchini Sauce

    Toss your favorite pasta shape in this creamy zucchini sauce from A Family Feast.

    You could add shredded rotisserie chicken for protein, too!

    Zucchini Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Iced zucchini cookies from Creations by Kara would be a sweet way to end your dinner.

    A photo collage shows several of the best zucchini recipes.

    More Fresh Produce Recipes

    • Bags of fresh peaches at the farmer's market stand.
      30 Fresh Peach Recipes
    • A blue strainer holds a pile of fresh cherries with stems for rinsing.
      30 Fresh Cherry Recipes
    • A bowl full of Granny Smith apples sits on a table.
      The Best Easy Apple Recipes

    More Meal Planning Tips and Lists

    • A family table is set with china and has fresh flowers and a two-layer carrot cake at the center. There are several photos of brunch recipes at the bottom.
      50+ Easter Brunch Ideas for Celebrating at Home
    • The photo collage showcases 4 easter breads on serving platters.
      14 Easy Easter Bread Recipes for Beginners
    • A photo collage shows several easy things to eat for breakfast.
      18 Easy Lent Breakfast Ideas
    • A photo collage shows a variety of meatless soups, sandwiches, and snacks for Lent.
      16 Simple Lent Lunch Ideas

    Reader Interactions

    Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

    More about me →

    What's Trending Now

    • A photo collage shows the variety of recipes that can be made in a bread maker.
      50 Best Bread Machine Recipes
    • A blue baking dish filled with mac and cheese with bread crumb topping. A serving spoon has removed a portion to show the creamy elbow noodles.
      Make Ahead Mac and Cheese
    • An airfryer basket has 7 seasoned chicken tenderloins golden brown and cooked.
      Healthy Chicken Tenderloins in the Air Fryer
    • Two salmon filets are surrounded by fresh green beans in an air fryer basket.
      How to Cook Salmon in Air Fryer

    Popular

    • A freezer-friendly metal pan holds an 8x8-inch apple crisp with crumble topping.
      Freezer Friendly Apple Crisp
    • A stack of the best books for book club in 2023
      Best Book Club Picks 2023
    • A taco salad made with mini frozen tacos.
      10-minute Trader Joe's Meals
    • A young kid's hand is holding a homemade pizza lunchable.
      30 School Lunch Ideas for Kids
    • A collage of easy dinners for busy nights.
      30 Quick Dinners for Busy Nights
    • A photo collages shows several easy dinner ideas kids could make.
      Easy Dinner Ideas for Yo-Yo Nights {You're On Your Own!}
    • A meal train dinner kit featuring supplies for tacos sits in an aluminum tray for delivery.
      30 Clever Meal Train Ideas with Recipes
    • Harry Potter themed snacks are in a platter with a witch hat sitting next to an open copy of a Harry Potter book.
      21 Harry Potter Snacks for Movie Night

    Footer

    As Seen On

    The Taste of Home Logo
    The Pioneer Woman Logo
    The Country Living Logo
    The Buzzfeed logo
    The Good Housekeeping Logo

    About

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Contact
    Privacy Policy
    Disclaimer

    Favorites

    Bread Recipes
    Soup Recipes
    Quick Dinner Recipes
    Harry Potter Fan Club
    Reading with Kids

    Holidays

    Easter Recipes
    4th of July Recipes
    Catholic Celebrations
    Thanksgiving Recipes
    Christmas Recipes

    Recipes

    Appetizers
    Dinners
    Salads
    Side Dishes
    Desserts
    Brunch
    Homemade Pantry

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2023