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Home / Recipes / Side Dishes / Easy Sautéed Zucchini

Easy Sautéed Zucchini

15 mins
| 11 Comments |
4.57 from 62 votes
Jump to Recipe 01/12/21 | Updated: 01/12/21 | by Nora
Sautéed Zucchini Image Pin 1

Make this Easy Sautéed Zucchini when you need a simple and healthy side dish the whole family will enjoy. It’s quick to whip up and so flavorful!

overhead view of wooden spoon in pan with sautéed zucchini slices

I don’t know if I’m the odd one out, but I LOVE vegetables. I’ve always loved them.

I’ve been trying to be more intentional about our side dishes, and now I often make this Easy Sautéed Zucchini when I need a simple and healthy side dish the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

ingredients for sautéed zucchini with text labels
Ingredients for sautéed Zucchini: Zucchini, grated parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

Ingredient notes

  • Garlic: If you’re not a big fan of garlic, feel free to leave it out. You can also substitute 2-3 tablespoons of minced onion instead.
  • Zucchini: Pick firm, medium-sized zucchini for best results. The tend to have a smaller amount of seeds and will yield a better result. If your vegetables end up having a lot of seeds inside (or you really must use up a giant zucchini from the garden), I strongly recommend removing the seeds.
  • Parmesan cheese: Other delicious options include Romano cheese, Pecorino or Feta.

You can easily add different flavors if you like:

  • chili flakes
  • lemon juice and/or zest
  • fresh thyme

How to make sautéed zucchini

1. Start by trimming the ends off the zucchini and slicing it into thin rounds.

wooden board with partly sliced zucchini and a knife

2. Cook the zucchini and the garlic in olive oil in a large skillet. If you don’t have a large enough skillet, make sure to sauté the zucchini in two badges – otherwise it cooks unevenly.

overhead view of raw zucchini slices in skillet

3. Once the zucchini is almost done, stir the parmesan cheese and seasoning into the skillet and cook for 1-2 more minutes, until the zucchini has softened to your liking.

overhead view of zucchini slices in skillet

4. Serve the zucchini immediately with your favourite toppings – we enjoy some extra parmesan, extra black pepper and freshly chopped parsley!

overhead view of pan with sautéed zucchini slices

Recipe tips

  • do not overcook this vegetable, or it will turn into mashed zucchini
  • if you have some of those giant garden zucchini, you’ll want to de-seed them before slicing
  • for even more flavor, you can sauté some sliced onion with the garlic. You can also add more seasoning – finely grated lemon zest, chili flakes or fresh thyme are all very delicious!

Serving ideas

We love this side dish with so many things! It’s delicious with a regular meal, but also great if you’re on a low carb/keto diet. Some of our favorites:

Chicken recipes

  • Instant Pot Chicken Thighs in Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
  • Balsamic Glazed Caprese Chicken
  • Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken

Beef recipes

  • Grilled Steak
  • Homemade Salisbury Steak
  • Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf

Pork recipes

  • Instant Pot Honey Mustard Pork Chops
  • Maple Apple Pork Chops (though I make them with peaches instead of apples in the summer)

More easy vegetable side dishes

  • Easy Sautéed Green Beans
  • How to Roast Asparagus
  • Honey Butter Thyme Crockpot Glazed Carrots
  • Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts

PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.

Printable Recipe Card
overhead view of pan with sautéed zucchini slices
Save Recipe Saved!

Easy Sautéed Zucchini

Make this Easy Sautéed Zucchini when you need a simple and healthy side dish the whole family will enjoy. It's quick to whip up and so flavorful!
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
4.57 from 62 votes
Print Add Review

Recipe details

Prep 5 mins
Cook 10 mins
Total 15 mins
Servings 4 servings
Difficulty Easy

Equipment

  • Large Skillet

Ingredients
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 5 medium zucchini thinly sliced
  • salt & black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional; or more to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a medium-large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and the zucchini and cook for 3-6 minutes, until softened. Cook the zucchini in two batches if your skillet isn't large enough to comfortably hold everything!
  • Once the zucchini is done, season with salt, pepper and parmesan cheese (if using). Serve immediately.
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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Garlic: If you’re not a big fan of garlic, feel free to leave it out. You can also substitute 2-3 tablespoons of minced onion instead.
  • Zucchini: Pick firm, medium-sized zucchini for best results. The tend to have a smaller amount of seeds and will yield a better result. If your vegetables end up having a lot of seeds inside (or you really must use up a giant zucchini from the garden), I strongly recommend removing the seeds.
  • Parmesan cheese: Other delicious options include Romano cheese, Pecorino or Feta.

Cooking Tips:

  • do not overcook this vegetable, or it will turn into mashed zucchini
  • if you have some of those giant garden zucchini, you’ll want to de-seed them before slicing
  • for even more flavor, you can sauté some sliced onion with the garlic. You can also add more seasoning – finely grated lemon zest, chili flakes or fresh thyme are all very delicious!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 5gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 115mgPotassium: 639mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 544IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Healthy

More zucchini recipes

  • Easy Zucchini Fritters
  • Baked Parmesan Zucchini Fries
  • Zucchini Bread Breakfast Cookies
  • Easy Ground Beef Zucchini Boats

Recipe first published on 08/16/2019. Updated and made better for you on 01/12/2021.

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Julia says

    August 17, 2022 at 2:29 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe because we tend to get a lot of zucchini from our garden, and I am typically looking for a way to make a healthy recipe with it—especially one that is easy and actually tastes good! I didn’t add the Parmesan but it was great without! Thanks for the tips of cutting out the seeds. 😃

    Reply
    • Nora says

      August 21, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      I’m so glad, Julia!

      Reply
  2. M says

    September 10, 2021 at 5:05 am

    Easy. Cook in 2 batches. 1st batch with garlic and ginger, a hint of spicy with the ginger. 2nd batch with no garlic and only sun-dried tomatoes. Like the 2nd batch better, substituted the tomatoes for bacon, a savory subsitute. Thank you for providing the easy and delicious recipe.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      September 25, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      I’m so glad, and those variations sound delicious!

      Reply
  3. Rachel says

    October 27, 2020 at 4:13 am

    5 stars
    You do not exaggerate, this zucchini is AMAZING! Going in my regular rotation for sure.

    Reply
  4. Morgan says

    June 08, 2020 at 1:38 am

    5 stars
    Delicious! Made it with lemon chicken.

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 09, 2020 at 3:39 pm

      That’s the perfect pairing, Morgan!

      Reply
  5. Emma Jenkins says

    January 01, 2020 at 11:35 pm

    5 stars
    trying to put our new year’s resolution of eating more vegetables into action straight away! made this to go with a pork dish for good luck for lunch today, and it was perfect. saved all the other vegetable dishes you linked to try in the coming weeks! thank u

    Reply
    • Nora Rusev says

      January 01, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      I’m so glad to hear this, Emma! Happy New Year!

      Reply
  6. Jazzie says

    January 01, 2020 at 5:33 am

    5 stars
    tastes good and is easy, seasoned with lemon jucie and chili flakes

    Reply
    • Nora Rusev says

      January 01, 2020 at 11:38 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed the zucchini, Jazzie, and great seasoning!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

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