Roasted Zucchini and Squash

This roasted zucchini and squash is baked until tender with Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese! It’s the perfect summer side dish.

Zucchini and squash give us those nostalgic vibes of summer dinners on the patio. So here’s a recipe that that makes the best of summer’s bounty: Roasted Zucchini and Squash! These vegetables go hand in hand with Italian-style herbs like oregano and basil. Topped with a bit of melty Parmesan cheese, they’re absolute perfection! This recipe is very easy to make, and you can whip up the rest of your meal while it bakes. Here’s everything you need to know!

Ingredients for roasted zucchini and squash

You don’t need lots of ingredients to make zucchini and squash taste amazing! We love how they pair with Italian herbs and a Mediterranean-style preparation. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Zucchini and yellow summer squash (see notes below on size)
• Olive oil & salt
• Dried oregano and basil: the powerhouse herbs! You can also substitute Italian seasoning if you have it
• Onion powder and garlic powder: these add big savory flavor
• Parmesan cheese: you can omit it for vegan, or add a few sprinkles of vegan Parmesan after roasting

Love yellow squash? Check out these Yellow Squash Recipes to Try!

Small zucchini and squash are preferable, but not required

For roasted zucchini and squash, it looks prettier to have veggies that are on the smaller side. That way, they make lovely bite-sized rounds. Sometimes, summer zucchini can be massive! You can use it here, but we’d recommend slicing the rounds in half. Also very large zucchini and squash can tend to have very large seeds, which don’t taste as good as the smaller versions. So look for small to medium small vegetables.

Want to use all zucchini or all squash? You can do that too! Follow this recipe or go to Baked Zucchini and Roasted Yellow Squash.

How to roast zucchini and squash: a few tips!

Zucchini and squash roast pretty quickly: all you need is 15 minutes! We like this method because it’s pretty hands off. Sauteed zucchini requires a bit of babysitting by the pan, but with roasted you can walk away and prep the rest of your meal. Here are the basics for roasted zucchini and squash: memorize the basic idea and make it on repeat!

• Slice into ¼ inch-thick slices. 1/4-inch seems to be just right for a quick roast time: it takes longer if you cut it thicker (and it’s not as tasty).
• It needs a good amount of salt. The kosher salt in the recipe below should suffice, but you can always add more pinches after roasting.
• Roast about 15 minutes at 425 degrees: just until tender! It’s quicker than most vegetables since the texture is fairly soft.
• Add the Parmesan cheese at the 8 minute mark: and rotate the trays! Adding the Parmesan halfway through helps it melt but not get too browned. Rotate the trays to the opposite racks to make sure everything cooks evenly.

Make it a meal! Ways to serve it

This healthy roasted zucchini and squash goes with so many different main dishes! The Mediterranean vibe is customizable to lots of different meal options. You can even throw it into pasta (preferably the cream sauce pasta below). Here are a few great ways that we like to serve it, with a focus on summer dinners:

• Seafood: It’s great with Grilled Salmon, Baked Salmon, Pesto Salmon, Grilled Tilapia, Grilled Tuna, Grilled Scallops, Grilled Shrimp, Seared Scallops with Lemon Herb Sauce, or Easy Pan Fried Cod.
• Pasta: Try it with Easy White Sauce Pasta (or throw it right in!), Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo, or Tomato Basil Pasta.
• Veggie Burgers: Add alongside Best Veggie Burger, Best Chickpea Burgers or Portobello Mushroom Burger.

More zucchini recipes

Summer is all about zucchini and summer squash! Here are a few more zucchini and squash recipes you might enjoy:

• Creamy Zucchini Pasta or Zucchini Boats Simple, massively delicious dinners!
• Perfect Sauteed Zucchini How to make the BEST sauteed zucchini that will have everyone talking! Ten minutes in a hot pan makes this green vegetable truly irresistible.
• Zucchini Lasagna Truly the best! Roasted zucchini noodles and three cheeses make just the right Italian flavor.
• Baked Zucchini So easy to make, covered in a light coating of crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan!
• Squash and Zucchini Casserole A cozy summer side dish, it’s topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Best Zucchini Bread It’s got the best flavor: cinnamon-scented, with just the right sweetness.
• Grilled Zucchini or Grilled Zucchini and Squash Throw thin slices on the grill and it comes out tender and charred, with an irresistibly smoky flavor!
• Chocolate Zucchini Cake This chocolate zucchini cake recipe comes out so rich and chocolaty! It’s a family favorite that happens to be dairy free and gluten free.

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Stuffed Zucchini Boats

02

Creamy Zucchini Pasta

03

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

04

Perfect Zucchini Lasagna

This roasted zucchini and squash recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese. (Or, sprinkle on some Vegan Parmesan!)

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