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20 Yellow Squash and Zucchini Recipes That Squash The Ordinary

From breakfast to dessert, these delicious yellow squash and zucchini recipes are the perfect way to use your summer produce.

We’re sharing the ultimate list of delectable dishes starring two garden favorites: yellow squash and zucchini!

They’re the perfect vegetables to showcase the essence of summer, but you can enjoy them in yummy dishes year round.

From hearty mains to refreshing sides, their tender texture and subtle taste provide the perfect canvas for an assortment of flavors.

And with over 20 delicious recipes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect squash dish to conquer any craving!

The Best Squash and Zucchini Recipes

From sauteed and grilled to roasted and fried, we’re sharing the best squash and zucchini recipes for every occasion.

Whether you’re looking for a comforting casserole, a crispy snack, or a healthy side dish, we’ve got you covered!

Salad

These healthy and fresh salads are an easy side dish to throw together in a snap.

Each of these simple recipe ideas features raw zucchini and squash with delicious herbs and seasonings.

And they’re the perfect companions for traditional BBQ and cookout foods.

Sauteed

These delicious recipes feature sauteed yellow squash and zucchini.

They come together to create the perfect summer side dish or a light and healthy lunch.

And they’re so good you’ll have to come back for seconds!

Baked/Roasted

These baked yellow summer squash and zucchini recipes feature parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and creamy, cheesy goodness.

You’ll need a baking sheet or casserole dish and a handful of simple ingredients to bring these comforting dishes to life!

Grilled

Fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy these tantalizing grilled yellow squash and zucchini recipes!

These dishes highlight the versatility of squash as they’re featured on sandwiches, flatbread, and kabobs.

RELATED: 32 Ideas for What to Serve with Kabobs

Fried/Air Fried

You’ll need your air fryer and a handful of pantry staples to create these fried zucchini and yellow squash dishes.

Enjoy these zucchini chips and fries as a simple side dish, snack, or appetizer!

PRO TIP: You can use parchment paper in your air fryer up to 428°F for easy cleanup! Just don’t put it in while it’s heating up.

Instant Pot

Chicken and noodles with vegetables and green garnish in a white bowl.

Break out your Instant Pot to enjoy this next yellow squash and zucchini recipe, featuring lemon chicken and pasta.

It’s a vibrant and satisfying dish the whole family will love!

Bonus Recipes with Just Zucchini or Squash

Here are some of our favorite recipes with just zucchini or squash. They’re the perfect way to use your garden produce, grocery store, or farmer’s market abundance.

Appetizers

Try one of these dips or crispy zucchini squash recipe ideas at your next party or get-together.

They’re the perfect healthy appetizers that will have your guests begging for the recipe!

Breakfast

Don’t forget zucchini in your breakfast recipes!

Enjoy sauteed zucchini in a frying pan with scrambled eggs, quiche, zucchini galette, and more!

Dinner

Indulge in the delicious flavors of these easy summer dinners, featuring zucchini!

They’re hearty, healthy, and good enough for company!

Salad

Here are some of our favorite salad recipes and ingredients featuring zucchini!

Fresh herbs and pine nuts come together to create a yummy pesto and sliced zucchini becomes a perfectly charred grilled salad.

Use spiralized zucchini in a Caprese veggie side dish.

And don’t forget to try the crispy zucchini pickles!

With Meat

Pair these wholesome meat and zucchini recipes with a delicious summer side dish for a complete meal.

These yummy recipes feature Italian seasoning, ground beef and turkey, red onion, and tomatoes.

So good!

With Other Vegetables

Squash and zucchini pair well with a variety of other vegetables including bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, and corn.

Enjoy some of these tasty combinations in the recipes, below.

PRO TIP: Finish grilled or roasted squash and zucchini recipes with balsamic vinegar or glaze for the best flavor and perfect bite!

Baked Goods

Baked goods like zucchini bread are a sneaky way to trick picky eaters into eating their vegetables!

You can hide zucchini in each of the easy recipe ideas, below.

You won’t notice them at all apart from a few green flecks and an extra moist texture!

FAQs

Why is my zucchini and squash soggy?


First, make sure you’re starting with fresh vegetables. If your zucchini or squash isn’t fresh, it will develop a mushy texture which will affect the overall texture of your dish.

Soggy zucchini and squash can also be a result of excess moisture retention during cooking. There are a few common reasons why this might happen:

Overcooking: Zucchini and squash have a high water content, and if they are cooked for too long, they can release their moisture and become soggy. Try to cook them just until they are tender but still have a slight crunch.
Crowding the Pan: If you overcrowd the pan while sautéing or roasting zucchini and squash, the steam released from the vegetables can get trapped and cause them to become soggy. Cook them in batches or ensure that there is enough space between the pieces to allow proper air circulation.
Improper Drainage: When washing or rinsing zucchini and squash, make sure to dry them thoroughly before cooking. Excess moisture from washing can contribute to sogginess.
Salting Too Early: Salting zucchini and squash before cooking can draw out moisture from the vegetables. This can be helpful if you’re trying to reduce moisture, but if not done properly, it can lead to the vegetables becoming overly wet. If you do salt them, let them sit for a short while and then pat them dry before cooking.
Cooking Method: Certain cooking methods, like steaming or boiling, can introduce more moisture to the vegetables. If you want to avoid sogginess, consider using methods like sautéing or roasting, which can help evaporate excess moisture.
Lack of High Heat: When cooking zucchini and squash, using high heat can help quickly cook off any excess moisture, preventing them from becoming soggy. This is particularly important for sautéing and stir-frying.
Not Using a Proper Pan: Using a non-stick pan for sautéing or roasting can help prevent sticking and moisture accumulation. Using a pan with a good amount of surface area can also help with even cooking and moisture evaporation.
Not Draining Well: If you’re using canned zucchini or squash, make sure to drain them well before using, as the liquid they are packed in can contribute to sogginess.

By paying attention to these factors and adjusting your cooking methods accordingly, you should be able to enjoy zucchini and squash that are cooked to the desired texture without becoming overly soggy.

Does yellow squash cook the same as zucchini?

Y
es, yellow squash and zucchini are similar in terms of cooking methods and techniques.

They both belong to the same family of summer squash and have a similar texture and water content.

As a result, you can typically cook yellow squash in the same ways you would cook zucchini.

Can I substitute yellow summer squash for zucchini?


Yes, you can generally substitute yellow summer squash for zucchini in most recipes without a major issue.

Yellow summer squash and zucchini are both part of the same squash family and share similar textures and flavors.

The most obvious difference between the two is their color.

What did you think of these zucchini and yellow squash recipe ideas? Are there any summer squash recipe ideas we should add? Let us know in the comments!

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