17 Zucchini Side Dishes You'll Eat All Summer (and Never Get Bored With)

From zucchini waffles to zoodle salads, there is more to try than your taste buds have time for.

A tray of fresh of the stove zucchini patties. Garnished with sliced green onions and a side of sour cream
Photo: Meredith Food Studios

Every zucchini grower knows that by the end of the summer, you'll be begging for someone to take that mountain of zucchinis off your hands. Zucchini glut is a real problem. There's even a special holiday in August designed to help people offload their zucchinis. It's not that people who grow zucchini don't like them — there are just too many of them, and they keep coming. To help you with your bounty, we've come up with a list of deliciously different summer zucchini side dishes.

01 of 18

Zavioli with Spinach and Ricotta

Zavioli with Spinach and Ricotta
Buckwheat Queen

This low-carb version of ravioli is easy, cheesy, and better for you. "Thin strips of zucchini are stuffed with pesto and a magro (lean) filling, topped with tomato sauce and cheese, then baked," says Allrecipes Allstar Buckwheat Queen.

02 of 18

Zucchini Waffles (Green Waffles)

a top down view of green (zucchini) waffles cooling on a wire rack.

Rita

Zucchini pancakes are great, but who wants to stand over a hot skillet on a sunny day. Use your waffle iron instead for an extra quick and crispy option. "They can be breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a side dish," says recipe creator Lillian.

03 of 18

Greek Zoodle Salad

Greek Zoodle Salad
Kim's Cooking Now

You don't need a fancy spiralizer to make zucchini noodles, check out these genius tricks for making zoodles with regular kitchen tools. Then, go make this heavenly Greek salad.

04 of 18

Japanese Zucchini and Onions

Japanese Zucchini and Onions
Soup Loving Nicole

This Asian-inspired dish will be your new favorite way to eat zucchini. Stir fried with sesame seeds, teriyaki sauce, and soy sauce, this is a great light dish to add to a meal.

05 of 18

Grilled Zucchini Pizza

Grilled Zucchini Pizza with pepperoni
Traci-in-Cali

This is a great recipe to get kids to eat their green veggies. It's also easy to make, so the kids can help, too.

06 of 18

Zucchini Ribbon and Spinach Saute

Zucchini Ribbon and Spinach Saute
Cindy Anschutz Barbieri

"Serving this dish with fresh grilled fish is a perfect combination," says recipe creator Cindy Anschutz Barbieri. "Zucchini can be grilled, fried, sautéed, or eaten raw in a salad. I grew up eating zucchini and eggs for breakfast, and now I just love making pasta with this versatile vegetable!"

07 of 18

Apple and Zucchini Salad

Apple and Zucchini Salad
Jody

It's a surprising combination, but this mix of flavors really works. Full of other ingredients like bell peppers and onions, you'll soon find this dish irresistible. Great for potlucks and picnics.

08 of 18

Asparagus-Zucchini Rice

Asparagus-Zucchini Rice
naples34102

"This is a great side dish — fast, flexible, and easy (cooks in one pan)!" says recipe creator Janet. "I serve it with fish, but it would also go great with chicken. You can use it with any style of rice. Try different vegetables, too!"

09 of 18

Deep-Fried Zucchini Spirals

Deep-Fried Zucchini Spirals
SHORECOOK

"We have always enjoyed fried zucchini," says recipe creator SHORECOOK. "So when I saw the clever way to spiral cut them, I thought why not deep fry them like onion strings. I did and they were a hit! Sprinkle with Old Bay® to make this a perfect side dish for seafood. They can also be served as an appetizer with your favorite dip. The zucchini may be cut into chips if you do not have a spiral slicer."

10 of 18

Jon's Corn and Zucchini

Jon's Corn and Zucchini
naples34102

"This was an easy and delicious side dish. I used half the amount of butter. Also, I sautéed the onion until soft then added the other vegetables and quickly sautéed them until al dente. It's a wonderful dish," says Allrecipes Allstar Deb C.

11 of 18

Zucchini and Potato Bake

Zucchini and Potato Bake
Fit&Healthy Mom

"This zucchini and potato bake is a very easy and delicious recipe that I like to make as a side dish for my summer barbecues," says recipe creator Jana. With only 15 minutes of prep work, the oven finishes the job quite nicely.

12 of 18

Orzo and Zucchini Salad

Orzo and Zucchini Salad
naples34102

"This fresh-tasting make-ahead side dish was created with casual, outdoor dining in mind," says recipe creator CALISPICEGIRL.

13 of 18

Roasted Zucchini

Roasted Zucchini
LauraF

"Roasted zucchini is the simplest of side dishes, endlessly customizable. Try it when you have an abundance of zucchini in the garden," says recipe creator LauraF.

14 of 18

Refreshing Summer Squash Salad

Refreshing Summer Squash Salad
bd.weld

"Such a good summer salad! I couldn't make enough of it. It's even delicious without the prosciutto. Light and tasty, good for a side at a barbecue," says reviewer Jolene Austin.

15 of 18

Zucchini Cornbread Casserole

Zucchini Cornbread Casserole
Allrecipes Magazine

"This was a really tasty and useful recipe for the zucchini windfall of the summer garden," says one Allrecipes community member. "It's a great side, but I liked it as a breakfast item."

16 of 18

Balsamic Grilled Zucchini

overhead view of a plate of balsamic grilled zucchini

DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

"Grilled zucchini with a touch of balsamic vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning," says recipe creator LashGal. "Cooks perfectly on the grill in a matter of minutes!"

17 of 18

Zucchini Patties

A tray of fresh of the stove zucchini patties. Garnished with sliced green onions and a side of sour cream
Meredith Food Studios

These zucchini patties are chock-full with cheese, both Parmesan and mozzarella, as well as onions, flour, and two eggs. Simply mix the ingredients together and fry in a pan.

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