Here are 45 Healthy Zucchini Recipes that are easy to follow, use simple ingredients and are packed with flavor! Enjoy your zucchini year round whether it’s the main dish, a side dish, or even a baked dessert. There is something for everyone!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love These Healthy Zucchini Recipes
- Chicken Zucchini Recipes
- Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
- Chicken Zucchini Tomato Recipe
- Chicken Zucchini Casserole
- Chicken and Corn
- Zucchini Noodles with Chicken
- Chicken Quinoa Skillet
- Zucchini Dinner Recipes
- Ground Turkey and Zucchini
- Zucchini Lasagna
- One Pot Zucchini Ricotta Pasta with Bacon
- Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes
- Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats
- Tex Mex Rice and Beans with Zucchini
- Tuna Zucchini Cakes
- Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles
- Crustless Zucchini Quiche
- Turkey Burger Recipe
- Crustless Zucchini Pie
- Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls
- Minestrone Soup
- Best Ever Vegetable Soup
- Zucchini Side Dishes
- Baked Parmesan Zucchini
- Baked Zucchini Fritters
- Cheesy Cauliflower Rice and Zucchini
- Healthy Zucchini Casserole
- Zucchini Tomato Bake
- Sauteed Zucchini
- Grilled Zucchini
- Zucchini Potato Bake
- Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
- Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
- Dessert Zucchini Recipes
- Healthy Zucchini Bread
- Healthy Banana Zucchini Muffins
- Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins
- Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread
- Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
- Healthy Zucchini Banana Bread
- Almond Flour Zucchini Bread
- Healthy Zucchini Muffins
- Healthy Zucchini Brownies
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Tips for Cooking with Zucchini
- Storing and Reheating Zucchini Recipes
- More FAQs
- More Healthy Recipes
- 45 Healthy Zucchini Recipes: Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Zucchini Recipes
- Healthy and delicious are always two things I keep at the forefront of my recipes and these healthy zucchini recipes are no exception.
- Plenty of ideas on what to do with more than enough zucchini.
- Versatile recipes for a versatile vegetable, whether it be a main dish, a side dish or a healthy zucchini dessert. It could be vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, or all of the above. It could be grilled, baked or spiralized into zoodles!
- Kid friendly recipes are in abundance in this collection of zucchini recipes. Find the ones your whole family will love and add them to your rotation. Adding more veggies to your kids’ meals and desserts is now even easier.
- Quick and easy is the name of the busy household game. Anything that works for a busy family, I have included in here. Perfect for easy weeknight zucchini dinners.
- Cook year round because despite it being a summer squash, zucchini can be found at your local grocery store any given month. So keep these healthy zucchini recipes handy when you’re looking for holiday side dishes and cozy baked goods.
Chicken Zucchini Recipes
Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
Mexican Chicken and Zucchini cooked in one skillet with black beans, corn, fresh herbs, taco seasoning and melted cheese on top. One pan, low carb and 30 minutes dinner.
Chicken Zucchini Tomato Recipe
Caprese Chicken and Zucchini cooked in fresh tomato sauce, with melted buffalo mozzarella cheese on top and garnished with fresh basil. Serve on its own for easy low carb dinner or with spaghetti for a family meal. Buon appetito!
Chicken Zucchini Casserole
Low-carb Chicken Zucchini Casserole with layers of chicken, zucchini noodles and easy enchilada sauce. Lots of fiber, vegetables and protein.
Chicken and Corn
This garlic Chicken Zucchini and Corn recipe is a 20 minute healthy weeknight dinner that was inspired by my Ukrainian roots. Low carb, easy and one pan deliciousness!
Zucchini Noodles with Chicken
Zucchini Noodles with Chicken, cilantro and lime is a delicious 20 minute dinner idea that’s light, healthy, and gluten-free.
Chicken Quinoa Skillet
This Chicken Quinoa Skillet combines tender chicken, fresh garden vegetables and nutrient-dense quinoa for a quick 30 minute meal.
Zucchini Dinner Recipes
Ground Turkey and Zucchini
This 30 minute healthy Ground Turkey and Zucchini Skillet is delicious low carb one pot dinner recipe that will become your family’s favourite! Minimum ingredients and effort with maximum flavour.
Zucchini Lasagna
Zucchini Lasagna made low carb with layers of zucchini instead of pasta, flavorful turkey tomato sauce and gooey cheese. Classic comfort food experience at only 318 calories per huge slice.
One Pot Zucchini Ricotta Pasta with Bacon
Creamy Zucchini Ricotta Pasta is the perfect summer mix of garden veggies, rich cheese, bacon, and fresh herbs. Make this easy one pot meal any night of the week!
Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes
Pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, garlic and basil is 20 minute healthy dinner that is a summertime must have. Light and fresh, everyone will love this garden dinner!
Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats
These hearty low carb Ground Turkey Zucchini Boats are stuffed with a simple Bolognese style filling, topped with cheese, then baked until tender with a bubbling cheesy topping.
Tex Mex Rice and Beans with Zucchini
Tex Mex Rice and Beans is a 30 minute one pot easy and healthy Mexican rice with zucchini, brown rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes and spices
Tuna Zucchini Cakes
Tuna Zucchini Fritters for a 30 minute kid friendly healthy recipe with canned tuna, Parmesan cheese and a hefty dose of vegetables.
Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles
Pad Thai Zucchini Noodles recipe with zucchini pasta, healthy peanut sauce, shrimp or tofu and half amount of calories in under 20 minutes.
Crustless Zucchini Quiche
Melt in your mouth Zucchini Quiche without the crust. Tastes so good cold! Simple ingredients like eggs, zucchini and flour make it an easy quiche recipe to whip up any time life gives you zucchini.
Turkey Burger Recipe
Juicy and flavorful Turkey Burger recipe with 5 simple ingredients. And one secret ingredient (hint: it’s also called courgette!) holds turkey burgers together without the breadcrumbs.
Crustless Zucchini Pie
Easy Crustless Zucchini Pie recipe made with 7 simple ingredients including sweet summer zucchinis. This light and creamy pie is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner!
Korean Ground Beef and Rice Bowls
Served over fiber rich brown rice, your family will gobble up these Beef, Rice and Vegetable Bowls! Featuring lean ground beef, pepper, zucchini, eggplant and an Asian inspired sauce, these sweet and spicy bowls hit the spot.
Minestrone Soup
Hearty and filling Minestrone Soup is full of garden bounty including zucchini, green beans, carrots and kale! Simmered in a tomato broth this herb filled, aromatic soup will be a dinnertime winner.
Best Ever Vegetable Soup
A tasty way to get your veggies in! Loaded Vegetable Soup has zucchini, pepper , onion, corn, potatoes, carrots and celery that are simmered in a smoky tomato sauce that is mmmm, mmmm good!
Zucchini Side Dishes
Baked Parmesan Zucchini
Baked Parmesan Zucchini are a baked zucchini recipe that is not only healthy but big on flavor, yet still low calorie and outrageously tasty. Slices of zucchini baked until crispy and cheese melted on top with simple spices.
Baked Zucchini Fritters
Zucchini Fritters with crispy outside, soft inside and only 5 ingredients. They are perfect for summer zucchini surplus and will disappear at the table.
Cheesy Cauliflower Rice and Zucchini
Cheesy Cauliflower Rice recipe with riced cauliflower, garlic and shredded zucchini for an extra vegetable boost. Easy, low carb and compliment just about any main dish.
Healthy Zucchini Casserole
Cheesy Healthy Zucchini Casserole uses 3 lbs of zucchini and is so easy, quick and low carb. So much flavor from garlic, herbs and Parmesan cheese. So much yum in this baked zucchini recipe that is a healthy summertime favorite.
Zucchini Tomato Bake
Healthy Zucchini Tomato Casserole with garlic and Parmesan in 5 minutes of prep. Serve as low carb side dish or add cooked chicken for a 30 minute dinner.
Sauteed Zucchini
I could talk about this Sauteed Zucchini for days! Talking points would include how they take 5 minutes, how simple are the ingredients, how tasty it is and best of all how healthy they are. But don’t trust my words. Try for yourself!
Grilled Zucchini
Grilled Zucchini with garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper is our Ukrainian-Russian family recipe. We grill zucchini along with any meat all summer long.
Zucchini Potato Bake
This healthy Zucchini Potato Bake is inspired by my Ukrainian upbringing. It is chock full of vegetables, contains no whipping cream and just the right amount of cheese and lots of flavour!
Mediterranean Zucchini Boats
Mediterranean Zucchini Boats recipe are crunchy oven roasted zucchini with feta cheese, fresh parsley and no breading.
Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
A summertime grilling favorite! The best Balsamic Grilled Vegetables includes grilled zucchini, bell pepper and red onion and then tossed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette and fresh parsley for a side dish that will disappear in a flash.
Dessert Zucchini Recipes
Healthy Zucchini Bread
Healthy Zucchini Bread with applesauce, whole wheat flour, cinnamon that is low sugar and low fat. Super delicious, easy and moist recipe.
Healthy Banana Zucchini Muffins
Healthy Banana Zucchini Muffins made healthy with whole wheat flour, maple syrup and chocolate bar chunks. Moist and tasty with very little oil.
Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins
Almond Flour Zucchini Muffins are moist, light and a delicious way to use your fresh summer zucchini! Naturally sweetened and naturally gluten free, these muffins are perfect for breakfast or snack.
Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread
Healthy Lemon Zucchini Bread that is super moist, lemon-y, sweet and so soft. It will blow your mind! Great for dessert and healthy enough for breakfast or snack. You may also love this healthy lemon poppy seed bread.
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Bread with simple wholesome ingredients in one bowl. Easy, moist and double chocolate quick bread with sneaky veggies.
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are moist, fudgy, loaded with zucchini and double chocolate flavor. They make a delicious quick breakfast or snack!
Healthy Zucchini Banana Bread
Healthy Zucchini Banana Bread is easy quick bread perfect for summer baking. Moistened and sweetened with fruit and veggies, it is a hybrid of two favorite breads with virtually no oil.
Almond Flour Zucchini Bread
A cake like bread that is gluten free and perfectly moist! This Almond Flour Zucchini Bread will be a hit with your family who will ask for it on repeat.
Healthy Zucchini Muffins
Healthy Zucchini Muffins with applesauce. Use whole wheat or spelt or even gluten free all purpose. Moist and fluffy and a hit not only during the summer but year round.
Healthy Zucchini Brownies
Zucchini Brownies are easy, fudgy and healthy. Kids will eat them up and not even realize they are eating a vegetable. Taste even better next day.
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins are light, fluffy, and moist. Shredded zucchini and chocolate chips are packed into a delicious muffin the entire family will love!
Tips for Cooking with Zucchini
- Types of zucchini: You can use green zucchini or yellow squash, large or small zucchini in these zucchini recipes interchangeably.
- Don’t overcook: Zucchini consists of over 90% water by weight. Follow the recipe and stop cooking squash when it’s still firm and might appear undercooked.
- Large garden zucchini: If the recipe is calling for a small-medium zucchini, cut a large zucchini in half. Slice it into 2-inch rounds on the angle.
- Freezing: Zucchini doesn’t freeze well because of the high water content. The only way I would recommend is to freeze cubed or grated zucchini and then use it in soups and baking later on.
- Cooking methods: When baking or grilling sliced rounds, you want to make sure they are cut thick enough in uniform sizes, to cook evenly and not become soggy.
- Zucchini skin: No need to peel zucchini, even when you’re baking with it. Zucchini skin is edible and easily digestible and comes with a lot of nutrients. Just make sure you wash it first!
Storing and Reheating Zucchini Recipes
The beauty of these zucchini recipes is they come with all of the information you could possibly need! Depending on the recipe, you will be given specific storage suggestions based on whatever it is.
Some will let you know to only store in the fridge for a couple of days, while others will let you know it can be made ahead for meal prep or freezes very well.
You will find instructions at the bottom of each recipe and when in doubt feel free to leave me a question in the comment section and I will get back to you with an answer.
More FAQs
According to Healthline, zucchini is a superfood full of antioxidants as well as vitamins A (improves eye health) and C (boosts immune system and guards against asthma), fibre (lowers cholesterol), and potassium (lowers blood pressure).
Zucchini itself is healthy, so you want to keep it as close to its natural state as possible for optimum nutrients. Bringing out its natural flavors without overpowering with unhealthy ingredients is the best way to enjoy it.
You can steam, bake, roast, or grill zucchini. And depending on how high the heat is, or how long it’s cooked, will determine how much of its nutrients are lost.
Usually you eat zucchini with the skin on that’s full of nutrients. It’s also soft and very thin, so definitely keep it on. Zucchini contains a lot of water, so in some cases, the skin serves a purpose of keeping everything intact and not falling apart while it cooks.
If you have large amounts of zucchini, here are a few great recipes to use them up in large quantities – zucchini potato bake, ground turkey zucchini boats, crustless zucchini quiche and sauteed zucchini.
If you always end up with mushy zucchini dish it is because you are over cooking it. Stop cooking zucchini before it looks ready, remove from heat even if the burner is off and always follow the recipe for best results.
I hope you enjoy these healthy zucchini recipes as much as I do! Let me know which ones you try by rating them in the comment section below.
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45 Healthy Zucchini Recipes: Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless & skinless chicken breasts cut into 1″ chunks
- 2 large zucchini diced
- 3 bell peppers medium, chopped
- 1 onion medium, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves large, minced
- 1 cup corn fresh or frozen
- 14 oz can low sodium black beans drained & rinsed
- 14 oz low sodium diced tomatoes not drained
- 1 tbsp oil avocado or coconut
- 1 tbsp cumin divided
- 1 tsp taco seasoning store bought or homemade taco seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup Tex Mex or Colby Jack cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup green onions chopped
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Preheat large ceramic non-stick skillet on medium heat and swirl oil to heat. Add onion, garlic and bell pepper and saute for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Push vegetables to one side of the skillet. Add chicken and sprinkle with 1 tsp cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add corn, black beans, tomatoes, zucchini, taco seasoning and remaining cumin. Stir well, cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes on low-medium heat.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese, cover and cook until cheese has melted. Garnish with green onion and cilantro. Serve hot on its own; or with Instant Pot quinoa or Instant Pot brown rice.
Video
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Do not freeze.
- To Reheat: Simmer on low heat in covered skillet for 5 minutes. No additional water or oil is needed to reheat if you use a non-stick skillet.
- Do not over cook the zucchini. Zucchini is comprised of 95% water. The longer you cook zucchini, the more water it releases. Follow the recipe and cooking times and do NOT cook until the zucchini appears soft and cooked (or your dinner will be mushy).
I made the Tex Mex Chicken and Zucchini for dinner last night, and it was deeeelicious! I don’t like bell pepper, so I substituted with a can of green chiles. Served it over white rice and with a dollop of sour cream. Will definitely be making this again!
I’m so happy to read this! Thanks for your positive feedback!
love the recipes