Everyone’s been in that spot with way too much zucchini and no idea what to do with it besides the usual suspects. You’ve grilled it, sautéed it, maybe made a loaf of bread or two, but now it’s just piling up. Zucchini is easy to grow and even easier to end up with more than you need. The trick is finding new ways to use it that don’t feel like a repeat of last night’s dinner. This list does just that.

Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini

Fresh bruschetta packed into zucchini boats makes this one perfect for summer snacking or a light dinner. The herby breadcrumbs add texture without making things heavy, and it’s a great reminder that zucchini doesn’t have to be boring to pull its weight in a crowd-pleasing dish.
Get the Recipe: Bruschetta Stuffed Zucchini
Stuffed Round Zucchini

Using round zucchini makes this recipe stand out and helps switch up the routine. Stuffing them turns your extra squash into a baked side dish that feels substantial enough to show up anywhere on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Round Zucchini
Zucchini Fries

These oven-baked fries crisp up nicely and are easy to prep for a side dish or midday snack. It’s a simple way to put all that zucchini to good use without just throwing it in a stir-fry again.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Fries
Zucchini Ricotta Bake

This bake layers zucchini with creamy ricotta for a lasagna-style meal that skips the pasta and cuts down on prep. It’s hearty enough for dinner but still makes the most of summer produce.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Ricotta Bake
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips

Tossed with garlic and cooked until crisp, these chips come together quickly in the air fryer. They’re great when you want something crunchy but still want to make a dent in the zucchini pile.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce

This dish keeps things light but filling thanks to a creamy avocado sauce. The noodles hold up well and can easily be turned into a full meal with leftover grilled chicken or shrimp.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce
Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Roasted tomato basil sauce coats the zucchini noodles in a way that actually sticks, making this a strong choice when you want something comforting but not heavy.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Tomato Sauce
Zucchini Pesto

Zucchini adds bulk to this pesto without dulling the flavor. It works tossed with pasta, spread on sandwiches, or spooned over grilled chicken. Great for stretching a bumper crop and not wasting a thing.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pesto
Thai Chicken Zucchini Noodles

These noodles come coated in a creamy Thai peanut sauce and turn out better than takeout. Chicken adds staying power, and the zucchini keeps it all from feeling too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Zucchini Noodles
Banana Zucchini Muffins

Moist and just sweet enough, these muffins work well for snacks or breakfast. Zucchini disappears into the batter, so it’s a good way to use it up without making it the focus.
Get the Recipe: Banana Zucchini Muffins
Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These bars cut back on sugar and oil but still hold their shape with a light frosting. They’re great for using zucchini in something sweet that doesn’t scream vegetable.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Skillet Zucchini Pizza

This pizza comes together in a skillet with layers of pesto, ricotta, mozzarella, and zucchini. It bakes up with a crisp crust and is a clever way to work zucchini into pizza night without making it weird.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Zucchini Pizza
Arrabbiata Zucchini Noodles

This one leans into spice with a bold arrabbiata sauce. The zucchini noodles soak it up well, making it a solid pick for when you’re over plain pasta but still want something familiar.
Get the Recipe: Arrabbiata Zucchini Noodles
Shredded Sautéed Zucchini with Parmesan

Shredded zucchini cooks fast in a skillet and pairs well with garlic and a sprinkle of Parmesan. It’s a reliable side for meat or fish and an easy way to knock out some of that summer zucchini.
Get the Recipe: Shredded Sautéed Zucchini with Parmesan
Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats with King Oscar Sardines

These boats load up on protein with sardines, beans, and spices for a Tex Mex flavor that works as a full dinner. It’s a bold take that makes zucchini way more exciting than usual.
Get the Recipe: Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats with King Oscar Sardines
Zucchini Quiche with Feta and Mint

This quiche keeps things fresh with mint and salty feta. It’s easy to prep ahead and works for breakfast, brunch, or whatever’s happening at your table midweek.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Quiche with Feta and Mint
Summer Zucchini Frittata

Packed with vegetables like sweet corn and cherry tomatoes, this frittata uses cottage cheese to add protein and stay light. It’s a great way to make the most of zucchini without defaulting to bread or muffins.
Get the Recipe: Summer Zucchini Frittata
Zucchini Pizza Casserole

A zucchini crust supports the meat and cheese topping in this casserole that feels like pizza but skips the dough. It’s practical when you want something fun without rolling out anything.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Casserole
Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini

This one-pan dinner brings crispy chicken and sautéed zucchini together in under 30 minutes. It’s great for busy nights and uses summer squash in a way that doesn’t feel repetitive.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Parmesan Chicken and Zucchini
Zucchini Pizza Bites

Mini zucchini slices stand in for crust in these quick pizza bites. They bake fast and are perfect for snacking, appetizers, or getting kids to eat something green without complaining.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Bites
Grilled Zucchini Stack

Layered with creamy ricotta and tangy green tomatoes, these grilled stacks are easy to prep and look like you tried a little harder than you did. It’s a smart move when you’ve got too much zucchini and want something that actually feels like a dish.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Zucchini Stack
Zucchini Linguine

Zucchini melts into the sauce in this one-pot pasta dinner that keeps cleanup simple. It’s a solid pick for nights when you want comfort food without veering into heavy territory.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Linguine
Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef & Rice

These hearty boats are packed with beef and rice, then baked for a full meal in one pan. They freeze well too, which means that zucchini surplus can finally work in your favor.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef & Rice
Italian Zucchini Latkes

Pan-fried and crispy with plenty of herbs and cheese, these savory latkes are perfect when you’re tired of muffins and need something with bite. They’re great as a side or snack and easy to batch.
Get the Recipe: Italian Zucchini Latkes
Miso Glazed Zucchini on the Grill

Grilled zucchini slices brushed with miso get caramelized on the edges and come together in minutes. They pair with just about anything and use up zucchini in a way that holds its own next to grilled meat.
Get the Recipe: Miso Glazed Zucchini on the Grill
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.








