12 of the Best Zucchini Recipes: How to Cook Zucchini

Zucchini—also known as a courgette or sometimes marrow—is a summer squash with smooth green or yellow skin, usually about eight inches long in grocery stores. Homegrown ones can be much larger, since home cooks are more likely to wait until later in the growing season to harvest them.

Since zucchinis develop from a flower and contain seeds, they—like pumpkins, tomatoes, and eggplants—are technically fruits, though most cooks consider them akin to vegetables in the kitchen. Zucchini is equally at home in savory side dishes and desserts, from salty zucchini lasagna with marinara to sweet zucchini muffins.

Fresh zucchini is low in calories, cholesterol, and carbohydrates, and is a source of potassium and vitamin A.

While zucchini tastes best in late summer, it is available year-round at the grocery store. When choosing fresh zucchini at the grocery store or farmers’ market, look for ones that are even in color, free of blemishes, and firm. Grocery stores typically only carry dark-green zucchinis, so look for specimens that are a deep, healthy green. Farmers’ markets might carry varieties that are paler green or even yellow, similar to yellow squash.

Zucchinis are ideally dense and should feel like they have a surprising amount of weight for their small size. Commercial growers typically harvest zucchini early in the growing season so the fruits are dense with flesh since larger zucchinis tend to be full of mostly water.

The best zucchini recipes will cater to your own taste preferences and favorite cooking styles. Here are several zucchini recipes that showcase the versatility of this summer squash:

1. 1. Oven-roasted zucchini squash: Roasted zucchini dishes can range from a shorter cook time to a longer cook time depending on how small or large you cut the pieces. You'll know the dish is done when the zucchini are completely tender, rather than when your oven timer goes off. Practice this skill by making Chef Thomas Keller’s oven-roasted zucchini squash, which he accompanies with a tangy and savory vierge sauce.
2. 2. Fried zucchini blossoms: Zucchini blossoms are the edible flower of the zucchini plant and often appear in Central American, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisines. Prepare and serve these edible flowers as an appetizer, brunch treat, or side dish. In Italy, where they go by the name fiori di zucca, chefs stuff zucchini blossoms with rich ricotta cheese and deep-fry them or serve them atop pizza. You can also eat the blossoms raw, slice them into ribbons in a salad, wilt them into a favorite pasta dish, or sauté them with garlic and olive oil. Try this fried zucchini blossoms recipe for a decadent, salty battered version.
3. 3. Grilled zucchini salad: For a side dish with Mediterranean vibes, graduate grilled zucchini from a kebab to the centerpiece. Top it with feta for a salty finish or cilantro for a shock of flavor, or add quinoa into the mix for a heartier main dish. Learn how to make grilled zucchini salad.
4. 4. Parmesan-crusted baked zucchini: For gluten-free Parmesan zucchini dish, dredge coins of zucchini in almond flour and Parmesan cheese, then cook them on a baking sheet until they become crisp-tender and golden brown. For a great side dish for proteins or pastas, try this easy baked zucchini recipe, which you can add a lemony tang to with a squirt of lemon juice.
5. 5. Ratatouille: A summer vegetable dish that is like a thick zucchini soup, ratatouille uses a silky tomato sauce from fresh tomatoes as a foundation for onions, zucchini, and red peppers, alongside aromatic herbs like marjoram, fresh basil, bay leaf, and fresh thyme. Learn how to make this quick and easy ratatouille recipe that uses both red and yellow bell peppers.
6. 6. Sautéed zucchini: For a truly easy zucchini recipe that can be a snack or side, sauté slices of zucchini in olive oil alongside paper-thin slices of garlic. Then pair them with fresh burrata, goat cheese, or soft mozzarella; a few tears of fresh basil; a twist of black pepper; and crusty bread. Follow this guide to sautéing to prepare your own sautéed zucchini.
7. 7. Zucchini au gratin: A savory side dish consisting of zucchini or summer squash, heavy cream, and assorted cheeses, zucchini au gratin (or zucchini gratin) resembles potatoes au gratin. Cooking zucchini in cream gives it a velvety texture, and the mixture of cheese and breadcrumbs results in a bite that’s equal parts crispy, creamy, and tender. Use panko breadcrumbs for the topping or make your own by ripping stale bread into pea-sized chunks and baking them in the oven until they dry out. Try this zucchini au gratin recipe.
8. 8. Zucchini bread: A quickbread, zucchini bread includes shredded raw zucchini, which imparts a moist, rich texture. Zucchini bread has a mild flavor that you can adjust for either sweet or savory palates—similar to pumpkin bread and banana bread. You can also easily make a vegan version of zucchini bread by swapping out the eggs or a double chocolate zucchini bread (closer to a zucchini cake) by incorporating cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Learn how to prepare this classic zucchini bread recipe at home.
9. 9. Zucchini chips: Bake or fry paper-thin zucchini slices on a sheet pan until you have crispy zucchini chips. You can also coat thicker-cut zucchini chips in breadcrumbs before frying them. While basic zucchini chips are easy to make in the oven, you can also experiment with different cooking methods—like air-frying or dehydrating—to achieve different textures. Discover how to make zucchini chips using this recipe, which requires a total time of only thirty-five minutes.
10. 10. Zucchini crisp: A freeform baked dessert, a zucchini crisp features summer squash in place of more traditional fruits, such as apples, pears, or berries. Also known as a zucchini crumble or zucchini cobbler, this crisp can be a great way to use an abundance of zucchini. Try this zucchini crisp recipe for a unique homemade dessert.
11. 11. Zucchini fritters: Grate zucchini and mix it with flour, scallions, and seasonings for a summery, fried finger food. Zucchini fritters are a great snack on their own or dipped in a light yogurt sauce. Learn how to make zucchini fritters.
12. 12. Zucchini noodles: Use a spiralizer to create gluten-free, low-carb zucchini ribbons, or “zoodles,” as the base for a cold weeknight pasta salad or poke bowl. Raw zucchini noodles maintain their crunch even when you toss them with a vinaigrette or sauce, like a pesto. Try this easy recipe for zucchini noodles.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.