Several years ago we had a bumper crop of zucchini. I had planted eight zucchini plants with the expectation that at least a few of them wouldn’t make it through the season. But to my amazement, ALL of them lived and thrived.
Every. Single. One of them.
We had more zucchini than we knew what to do with. That summer I felt like the queen of zucchini, handing it out left and right to neighbors, friends, and family – even our Amazon delivery guy. We had a running joke at our church that everyone would need to start locking their vehicles, or else we would sneak our excess zucchini into random cars in the parking lot.
Needless to say, it was a crazy time and we found 1,001 ways to cook zucchini that summer (and not just that summer, but all fall, winter and spring too!).
If you find yourself in a similar predicament, grateful that your zucchini plants are thriving but quickly running out of ideas for what to do with your bountiful harvest, this post is for you.
I’ve gathered twenty recipes that are wholesome, full of flavor, and simple enough to enjoy throughout the week. From nourishing breakfasts, to satisfying lunches, easy dinners and delicious desserts, here are some zucchini-forward recipes to keep you inspired this season.
Breakfasts to Help Fuel Your Day
Zucchini Egg Muffin Cups
If you are looking for a high-protein, make-ahead breakfast option, you’ll definitely want to try these Healthy Zucchini Egg Muffin Cups. Made with shredded zucchini, flavorful spices, protein-packed eggs, and cheese, these egg muffin cups are both delicious and nutritious, great to keep on hand for grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks. And these muffin cups are super versatile. Sub out the onion and garlic powders for diced onions and minced garlic, or add in other veggies to customize them to your liking.
“Zoats” (Zucchini Oats)
“Zoats” (or Zucchini Oats) are a lifesaver on those mornings when you are looking for a breakfast that is both quick and easy, yet still nourishing. Filled with pulsed zucchini, mashed banana, egg whites, oats, and warmed spices, these zoats truly taste like zucchini bread in a bowl. Top them off with slivered almonds and fresh blueberries, and you’ve got yourself an incredibly tasty breakfast ready in just 10 minutes.
Zucchini Pancakes
I don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for homemade pancakes, and these Zucchini Pancakes are another great option for sneaking some of that zucchini into a delicious breakfast that everyone will enjoy. Made from scratch with whole wheat flour, warm spices, and other wholesome ingredients, these pancakes are simple to make and have all the best flavors of zucchini bread. They can also be made ahead of time and frozen for a quick grab-and-go option.
Tomato & Zucchini Frittata
For an easy, but elevated breakfast option, try this Tomato & Zucchini Frittata. Layered with eggs, leafy greens, sliced zucchini, flavorful spices, sweet tomatoes, and fresh herbs, this frittata is incredibly flavorful, nourishing and easy to make. It is also very versatile, giving you the flexibility to use the ingredients you have on hand, and would make an excellent addition to any brunch.
Zucchini Muffins
Last, but certainly not least, no list of zucchini breakfast ideas would be complete without muffins and these Zucchini Muffins are simply irresistible. Made with shredded zucchini, almond flour, creamy almond butter, maple syrup and oats, they are both naturally sweetened and gluten free. And these can be made ahead of time or frozen for a breakfast option that is ready to go whenever you are.
Lunches You’ll Look Forward To Eating
Zucchini Fritters
Shredded zucchini mixed with fresh herbs, fried to crispy, golden perfection then dipped in a mouth-watering, herby, creamy, lemony yogurt sauce? It doesn’t get much better than this. These Zucchini Fritters are packed with flavor, simple to make and can be made up to a week in advance, especially handy for meal prepping or ready-to-pack lunch options.
Grilled Zucchini Salad with Creamy Sunflower Dressing
When I discovered this Grilled Zucchini Salad with Creamy Sunflower Dressing, I was immediately struck by how colorful it was with it’s sliced zucchinis, sweet corn, alfalfa sprouts, salad greens, chickpeas and shredded purple cabbage. Top it off with the creamy sunflower seed dressing and this salad packs nutrition and flavor into every bite, making it a great choice for a lunchtime pick-me-up.
Warm Zucchini Feta Salad
This drool-worthy, Mediterranean-inspired, Warm Zucchini Feta Salad is likely to become a new lunchtime favorite. Bursting with flavor, this pasta salad is filled with sauteed shallots, garlic, and capers along with other wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, feta cheese, pistachios and fresh herbs.
Zucchini Wraps
Fresh and full of seasonal ingredients, these Healthy Zucchini Wraps are packed with grilled zucchini and vibrant veggies all atop a decadent hummus and feta cheese spread. The ingredients can be prepped ahead of time, perfect for quick assembly before jumping into a fun-filled day.
Mediterranean Zucchini Grain Bowl
Finally, these Mediterranean Zucchini Grain Bowls are another wonderfully flavor-filled lunch option. Layered with a grain of your choice, roasted zucchini and vegetables, Mediterranean-inspired ingredients like Kalamata olives, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, and topped with a lemony-herby dressing, these bowls are both filling and flexible. The grain, roasted veggies and dressing can also be prepared ahead of time, ideal for grabbing on your way out the door.
Dinners the Whole Family Will Enjoy
Zucchini Pizza Boats
When I saw these Zucchini Pizza Boats I knew that I needed them in my life. Topped with Italian sausage, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and veggies, these zucchini boats are a guilt-free way to enjoy all the flavors of your favorite pizza. And prepped and cooked in just 30 minutes, these zucchini boats are super simple to make. They also reheat incredibly well, so they are an excellent option for meal prepping or lunch leftovers.
Zucchini Stir Fry
Another easy and delicious dinner option is this Asian-inspired Zucchini Stir Fry, made with chicken, homemade teriyaki sauce, and fresh vegetables. Ready in just 25 minutes, this is a great, flavor-packed, no-fuss, no-stress option for weeknight dinners that make the most of your garden harvest.
Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken
I may have a slight obsession with Mediterranean flavors, and this Sheet Pan Mediterranean Chicken is no exception. And the best part? This easy peasy recipe requires minimal prep time – simply toss the chicken and veggies in olive oil, lemon juice, herbs and spices and spread it on a baking sheet to cook. Simple, delicious and nutritious all wrapped up in one? Yes please!
One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta & Zucchini Pasta
Silky and surprisingly satisfying, this One Pot Lemon Butter Ricotta & Zucchini Pasta comes together with minimal cleanup. This cozy pasta is packed with tender zucchini, fragrant herbs, and a creamy ricotta sauce that truly tastes like summer in a bowl. Ready in just 25 minutes, it is also incredibly weeknight-friendly, ideal for when you are craving the comfort of home cooking, but don’t want to spend all evening in the kitchen.
Ground Beef & Zucchini Skillet
Packed with ground beef, black beans, sweet potato, and fresh zucchini, this Ground Beef & Zucchini Skillet is another one-dish wonder, perfect for those busy weeknights. This Mexican-inspired skillet combines wholesome ingredients with bold, comforting flavors for a satisfying meal that’s ready in about 30 minutes and easy to tuck into a lunchbox the next day.
Sweet Treats Worth Saving Room For
Flourless Zucchini Brownies
Chocolatey, fudgy and simply irresistible, these Flourless Healthy Zucchini Brownies will quickly become one of your new favorite ways to use that garden-fresh zucchini. These brownies are also naturally sweetened and gluten-free, making them an all-around crowd-pleaser.
Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies
Looking for an easy-to-pack treat for lunches or a day at the lake? Look no further than these Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies. No chilling required, these cookies are super simple to make and ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes. And with flavors like cinnamon and vanilla, they will soon have your kitchen smelling amazing.
Healthy Zucchini Cake
If you’re on the hunt for healthier dessert options this summer, you’ll want to try this Incredible Healthy Zucchini Cake. Filled with wholesome ingredients like almond flour, ground flaxseed, fragrant spices, and pure maple syrup, this zucchini cake is incredibly moist and incredibly delicious.
Zucchini Cookies
Bright, bold and full of the best flavors of summer, these Zucchini Cookies are a great option for those end of the season barbeques or a quick weekday treat. The secret is in the lemon glaze, which adds a fresh twist to the classic flavors of the cookies.
Zucchini Crisp
Ok, I’ll admit it. This dessert doesn’t qualify as a “quick” recipe to make. Prep time for is only about 10 minutes, but it does take about an hour to bake. However, it is well worth it and once I learned about it, I knew it had to be shared with the world. This Zucchini Dessert Crisp tastes exactly like a traditional apple crisp, but it is made with (you guessed it) zucchinis, making it an excellent option for using up your harvest this summer.
One of my favorite ways to make my zucchini harvest last is by freezing it for later. I usually shred it (squeezing out as much moisture as possible using a cheesecloth or clean dishtowel) and freeze it in one- or two-cup portions for baking or I dice it and freeze it to toss into soups, scrambled eggs and other meals throughout the fall and winter. It’s a simple way to enjoy a little taste of summer all year long.
Whether your garden has produced a mountain of zucchini or you’re simply looking for a few new recipes to add to your repertoire, I hope these ideas help to bring a little inspiration to your kitchen this season.
If you try one of these recipes, I’d love to hear which one becomes your favorite. And if you have a go-to zucchini recipe that isn’t on the list, feel free to share it in the comments below – I’m always on the lookout for new ways to enjoy this summer staple!
This Darling Adventure 