20 Zucchini Side Dish Recipes

Modified: Nov 7, 2025 · Published: Jul 14, 2022 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 936 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

Today I'm sharing 20 zucchini side dish recipes that are not only flavorful, but easy to prepare at home with simple pantry ingredients. If you're looking for ways to use up that summer garden zucchini, you've come to the right place!

Decorative collage of zucchini side dishes.

Today I'm sharing my favorite easy and flavorful zucchini side dish recipes. Looking for ways to use up that summer zucchini harvest? You'll find everything from grilled zucchini to cheesy zucchini casserole on this list.

Any home gardener will tell you how easy it is to grow zucchini. I highly recommend it for beginner gardeners. Once your zucchini plants start producing, you'll be scrambling to find enough recipes to use it all up!

Zucchini flavor

Zucchini is a fantastic vegetable for cooking and baking. It has a slightly sweet, mild, green flavor.

Small zucchini have a tender texture, softer seeds, and thinner skin, making them the preferred size for cooking. Any zucchini from about 6 to 9 inches in length is ideal. Large zucchini tend to develop a tough texture and have larger seeds.

Since zucchini has a mild flavor, it blends in seamlessly with other ingredients. It's kind of like the chicken of the vegetable world - it takes on any flavor you add to it!

Here's a great article if you're looking to learn more about zucchini: Live Eat Learn - Zucchini 101

Zucchini side dishes

Here are 20 zucchini side dish recipes - all easy, flavorful, and made from scratch with simple ingredients. You're sure to find a new favorite on this list!

Sautéed Zucchini and Onions

Sautéed zucchini and onions is an easy stovetop side dish that's ready in less than 20 minutes! Cubed zucchini and onions are sautéed in butter and lightly seasoned with red pepper flakes.

Sautéed zucchini in a skillet.

Roasted Zucchini and Squash

Roasted zucchini and squash is a quick and easy side dish that's ready for the oven in minutes. Sliced zucchini and squash are coated in Italian seasoning and parmesan cheese then roasted in the oven.

A sheet pan of roasted zucchini and squash.

Easy Grilled Italian Zucchini

by Saporito Kitchen

Grilling is the perfect way to prepare zucchini during those warm summer months. Zucchini is sliced in half, slightly seasoned, and grilled to perfection. Ready in 20 minutes!

A plate of grilled zucchini halves.

Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad

by Tidy Mom

This refreshing summer salad is the perfect addition to your next backyard grilling session. Filled with plenty of fresh veggies and a light homemade dressing.

Grilled corn and zucchini salad in a glass bowl with wooden serving spoons.

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

by BellyFull

Air fryer zucchini fries will fulfill all your snacking needs this summer! Fresh zucchini is sliced into wedges and coated in parmesan and panko breading, then air fried until golden crispy.

Air fryer zucchini fries on a plate with dipping sauce.

Easy Zucchini Soup

by Salt and Lavender

This easy zucchini soup is creamy, light, and dairy-free - perfect for summer! Plus, it's made with simple, easy to find ingredients.

Two bowls filled with creamy zucchini soup, topped with croutons.

Simple Cheesy Zucchini and Squash

by Cook This Again, Mom

Sliced zucchini and squash are sliced, seasoned, and topped with a cheesy panko crust, then baked until golden brown and crispy. The perfect casserole for weeknight meals or holiday dinners!

A glass pan of zucchini and cheese casserole with a crunchy top.

Pasta with Zucchini Sauce

Pasta with zucchini sauce is a flavorful one pan meal and the perfect way to use up that extra zucchini! Spaghetti is tossed in a rich cream sauce that's filled with shredded zucchini and carrots.

Saute pan with a fork swirling spaghetti.

Baked Zucchini Carrot Fritters

by The Recipe Well

Baked zucchini and carrot fritters make the perfect side dish for your next meal, or as a filling meal on their own. They're filled with shredded zucchini, carrots, chickpeas, garlic, and dill for plenty of fresh, savory flavor!

A stack of crispy zucchini carrot fritters on a round plate.

Crunchy & Quick Zucchini Pickles

by Upstate Ramblings

Move over cucumbers, it's time to try zucchini pickles! These quick refrigerator pickles take only ten minutes of prep to make, and are flavored with fresh dill, garlic, and spices. Perfect for topping your next summer burger on the grill!

Glass jar filled with zucchini pickles.

Cheesy Zucchini Rice Casserole

by Cupcakes & Kale Chips

This gluten-free casserole is the perfect way to use up leftover rice and all that summer zucchini. Filled with rice, veggies, and cheese, then baked until golden brown.

A glass baking dish of cheesy zucchini rice casserole.

Baked Zucchini (Italian Style with Tomatoes)

by Christina's Cucina

This baked zucchini is an Italian side dish filled with fresh zucchini and tomatoes. The baked breadcrumb topping is an irresistible finishing touch!

A decorative plate of baked zucchini and tomatoes.

Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

by Laura Fuentes

Zucchini chips are easy to make in your air fryer, no breading needed! This simple, low-carb recipe makes a healthy snack or side dish along with a main course.

White bowl filled with zucchini chips.

Lighter Zucchini Gratin

by Home Grown Happiness

Sliced zucchini is layered with cheese and white sauce, then topped with cheese and breadcrumbs. A fantastic side dish for your next family meal or holiday dinner!

Spoon scooping zucchini gratin from a white casserole dish.

Zucchini Corn Risotto with Parmesan Cheese

by Three Olives Branch

Zucchini and corn add bright, fresh flavor to this creamy parmesan risotto. The perfect way to add more veggies to your meals.

A round serving dish of zucchini corn risotto.

Crispy Baked Zucchini Chips

by Flavor the Moments

These golden brown, crispy zucchini chips are baked up in the oven and made with a handful of simple ingredients. Serve with your favorite creamy dip for an easy snack or side dish!

White plate filled with baked zucchini chips.

Sauteed Zucchini and Mushrooms

by Hot Pan Kitchen

This easy side dish is made with just a handful of simple ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes or less! Easy to pair with your favorite main course.

Skillet filled with cooked mushrooms and zucchini, with a pair of tongs.

Warm Zucchini Salad

by Vikalinka

This warm salad is filled with fresh summer vegetables like zucchini, tomatoes, red peppers, and mushrooms. Topped with a simple balsamic dressing, this salad is easy to pair with your favorite main dish, like grilled chicken.

Warm zucchini salad on a wooden cutting board.

Zucchini Salad with Lemon, Feta and Pine Nuts

by Pinch and Swirl

Thin sliced marinated zucchini is topped with crumbled feta cheese, pine nuts, and fresh basil. A perfectly delicious summer salad that's packed with flavor.

White plate filled with thin sliced zucchini salad with feta cheese and pine nuts.

Vegan Zucchini Stuffing Casserole

by Plant Based and Broke

This delicious zucchini stuffing casserole is made with simple ingredients like zucchini, stock, herbs, ciabatta bread, and seasoned vegetables. Perfect for serving at your next Thanksgiving dinner.

Vegan zucchini stuffing on a plate.

More Side Dish Recipes

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