Roasted Zucchini

Name: Roasted Zucchini
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch rounds; 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or oregano), finely chopped; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (for serving)

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Roasted Zucchini is a light and healthy summer veggie side dish. This recipe is easy to make using a handful of simple ingredients including herbs, Parmesan, and balsamic to give it lots of fresh flavor. It's my favorite way to use the extra zucchini from the garden! Serve it alongside your favorite pasta dishes, grilled meats, and more.

Roasted Zucchini is a light and healthy summer veggie side dish that s easy to make using a handful of simple ingredients and minimal effort. | aheadofthyme.com

During the summer months, we go through a lot of zucchini. Although I also like to make Zucchini Bread or Zucchini Fritters, sometimes you need something simple. This easy roasted zucchini recipe requires minimal effort: toss the zucchini slices with the olive oil and seasonings, roast in a hot oven, then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of vinegar for a little acidity. It's the perfect weeknight side, or you can meal prep several trays to add to your lunches through the week!

Why You'll Love This Oven-Roasted Zucchini

Incredibly easy side dish recipe. This easy recipe has only 4 basic steps: preheat the oven, season the zucchini, bake, and serve. It's done from start to finish in about 40 minutes, most of which is hands-off. What's not to love?
Roast a lot of zucchini at once. One batch uses about a pound of zucchini, but you can certainly make a double or triple batch, then add the extras to pasta dishes or save them in the fridge for leftovers. It's a great way to use pounds of zucchini quickly!
Buttery and fragrant. The best thing about roasted zucchini is how it cooks down. When properly roasted, it has a slightly nutty, buttery flavor that moves from veggie mode into meaty, savory mode, similar to roasted eggplant or mushrooms. It tastes more like a main dish than a side! I can't help but sneak bite after bite.

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Roasted Zucchini, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

fresh zucchini - rinse and trim the squash into one-inch wide rounds. You can use any type of summer squash.
extra virgin olive oil - this is essential to help the seasonings stick to the sliced zucchini and develop the skin on the outside.
fresh thyme or oregano - finely chopped.
seasonings - stick with salt, garlic powder, and ground black pepper.
Parmesan cheese - Grate a little fresh Parmesan over the top for a savory, salty flavor.
balsamic vinegar - You can use balsamic glaze, but just a little drizzle of high-quality balsamic vinegar will wake up the zucchini and offer a nice contrast of flavor.

You will also need a measuring cups and spoons, a large bowl, baking sheet, parchment paper, and a kitchen knife.

How to Make the Best Roasted Zucchini

Season zucchini. In a large mixing bowl, combine zucchini, oil, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss well until evenly coated.

Bake. Transfer the zucchini to a large baking sheet and spread in an even layer. Bake in a 400F preheated oven until tender and golden brown on the edges, about 25-30 minutes.

Serve. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Recipe Variations

Adjust the seasonings. Feel free to use dried herbs instead of fresh (about ⅓ as much) or to substitute dried Italian seasoning.
Change the cut. This recipe results in nice, slightly thick rounds of tender zucchini. If you prefer smaller bites, trim the zucchini into thinner rounds, make zucchini spears, or cut the half moons into little wedges. Just adjust the baking time if you use a smaller cut, and always cut evenly sized pieces regardless of the shape you choose.
Roast some extra veggies. Add sliced onion, fresh garlic, and halved tomatoes on the same tray before roasting. They'll all taste amazing together and you can serve them as a topping for pasta or as a simple summer side.
Try a different squash. This recipe can be made with any type of summer squash, like yellow squash, different types of zucchini, etc. Use a few different varieties for a range of colors and textures.
Use the air fryer. Instead of the oven, cook the zucchini slices in the air fryer. Shake the basket several times to get a nice skin and let the air fryer preheat for 5-10 minutes before adding the slices.

How to Serve

This Roasted Zucchini is delicious served on the side of a late summer or early fall dinner such as:

For more recipes, see our 60+ Summer Dinner Ideas.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Preheat the oven. For the best texture, you need to expose the zucchini to high heat quickly. Otherwise, you can end up with soggy zucchini, which isn't very appetizing. Let the oven get nice and hot first.
Don't rush. The amount of time your zucchini needs to roast will depend on the heat of your oven and the zucchini's size and moisture content. Focus more on what the zucchini looks like, not what the timer says.
Use a sheet pan. You need a shallow, flat sheet for roasting, not a baking dish. Zucchini has a lot of moisture, and it needs to evaporate quickly. A regular sheet pan is ideal for this.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store any leftover roasted zucchini in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

The best way to reheat zucchini is to pop it in the microwave for a minute or two or bake it in a 350 F oven for 5-10 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle with extra parmesan.

How to Freeze

Freeze a container of roasted zucchini for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before adding the cooked squash to pasta or other dishes. Just remember that after thawing, the zucchini will be even softer than usual.

FAQ

How long do you roast zucchini?

When cut into 1-inch thick slices, zucchini takes about 25-30 minutes to roast at 400 F.

Can cooked zucchini be frozen?

Yes. However, the thawed, cooked zucchini will be quite soft. It's best to add to dishes that don't require much additional cooking, as the squash will begin to break apart pretty quickly.

Can you roast zucchini?

Yep! Zucchini roasts incredibly well. Although it is a tender vegetable, it gets a nice skin in the oven and takes on a golden brown color. The inside of the zucchini becomes tender and buttery, which pairs wonderfully with Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and balsamic vinegar. It's a quick and easy way to prepare an abundance of zucchini quickly!

More Zucchini Recipes

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