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Parmesan Topped Zucchini

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You can’t beat a quick and tasty side dish. This Parmesan Topped Zucchini is prepped quick and then you just pop it in the oven until dinner time. Tender and soft zucchini roasted with garlic, olive oil, sea salt and fresh grated parmesan cheese. The perfect side side dish for Oven Roasted Turkey Parmesan or even my Lemon Crusted Baked Cod.

Parmesan zucchini in a bowl.
Parmesan topped Zucchini

Something I love about zucchini is how versatile it can be.  It pretty much takes on whatever flavour you add to it.  This is so easy and basic it almost doesn’t scream “recipe”, but it is so darn good you will just want to keep eating it.  Now filed in favourites for spring and summer!

And if you love zucchini, don’t forget to check out More Than 20 Summer Zucchini Recipes!

Parmesan topped zucchini in a bowl.
Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan

What is This Zucchini Dish Like

  • Difficulty – This is a super easy side dish to make. It takes only 10 minutes to prepare and uses minimal ingredients.
  • Taste – Zucchini is the main ingredient, so it has a strong zucchini taste! The zucchini isn’t wet and had a great flavour with the seasonings and the topped parmesan cheese.
  • Serving – This dish will easily serve 4 or more people as a side dish to any main course. Keep in mind you can easily adjust the servings in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Zucchini in a bowl topped with parmesan cheese.
Parmesan Topped Zucchini

Ingredients

  • Zucchini – I used two medium sized fresh zucchini for this recipe.
  • Olive oil – Extra virgin olive oil works great in this recipe.
  • Garlic – Fresh minced garlic is used to add flavour to this zucchini dish.
  • Seasonings – I used salt and black pepper for seasoning.
  • Parmesan cheese – Fresh grated parmesan cheese is added to the zucchini at the end of cooking. Don’t add it at the beginning or it will dry out and possibly burn a little.

NOTE, The full recipe and instructions can be found at the end of the post in the recipe card.

Ingredients to make parmesan topped zucchini.
Ingredients to Make Parmesan Topped Zucchini

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and start zucchini – Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C.. Place the zucchini on a large baking tray. Drizzle over the olive oil, garlic, salt and black pepper. Toss to combine and roast for about 30 minutes, turning half way through.
  2. Top with parmesan cheese – Remove from oven and sprinkle over parmesan cheese Return to the oven for a further 5-7 minutes. Serve straight away.

Recipe Tips

  • Prep ahead – You can cut the zucchini and keep it in an airtight container up to 24 hours before cooking.
  • Cutting the zucchini – It’s best to cut the zucchini into about 1/2 inch thickness for this dish. If you slice them thin, they may burn when roasting.
  • Roasting the zucchini – Don’t forget to check on it about half way through cooking. Give it a really good stir around before returning it to the oven. This will ensure even cooking. 
Parmesan topped zucchini in a white bowl.
Zucchini Topped with Parmesan Cheese

Substitutions and Flavour Changes

  • Melted butter – You can omit the olive oil and use melted butter if you like a flavour change.
  • Lemon juice and zest – You can add a few tablespoons of lemon juice and about 1 tablespoon of lemon zest to add a bit of zing!
  • Panko bread crumbs – if you’d like a crisper topping, mix the parmesan cheese with about 1/3 cup of panko crumbs. Add this mixture exactly as you would if it were just the parmesan cheese.
Parmesan topped zucchini in a bowl.
Parmesan Topped Zucchini

Serving

Wondering what to serve this next to? Why not try the Oven Roasted Turkey Parmesan or the Zesty Pan Seared Salmon. 

Close up of zucchini in a bowl with parmesan cheese.
Parmesan Topped Zucchini

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent zucchini from going soggy?

Make sure it has enough space on the baking sheet. Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet to ensure the zucchini can roast properly without going soggy.

Do I need to peel zucchini before cooking?

There is no need to peel zucchini before cooking. Zucchini skins soften and taste great when cooked.

Can I eat raw zucchini?

Yes, it is very safe to eat raw zucchini. Just simply slice or grate it and add it to salads, sandwiches or pasta dishes.

Close up of zucchini in a bowl  with parmesan cheese.
Parmesan Topped Zucchini


Potato Zucchini Bake

Make this Potato Zucchini Bake for your perfect side dish soon.  Thinly sliced potatoes and zucchini nestled between a creamy Gouda and Parmesan cheese sauce.  Then topped with Panko bread crumb topping for the perfect finish.  A great side dish or even vegetarian main course.
Check out this recipe
Close up of potato zucchini bake.

Spiced Zucchini & Eggplant

Who loves quick and tasty side dishes. This Spiced Zucchini & Eggplant will be right up your street. Roasted with turmeric, fennel and cardamom pods for so much flavour that doesn't disappoint. Much like my Roasted Garlic Brussel Sprouts, it's quick to prepare and delivers high on the taste buds!
Check out this recipe
close up of the spiced Zucchini and eggplant

Parmesan Zucchini Crisps

Lately I've been seeing these things just about everywhere! So, I had to see what all the fuss was about. I was so surprised just how tasty, crisp and delicious these Parmesan Zucchini Crisps were! Could be a nice little addition to your appetizer collection.
Check out this recipe
stack of parmesan zucchini crisps

Parmesan topped zucchini in a white bowl.
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Parmesan Topped Zucchini

You can't beat a quick and tasty side dish. This Parmesan Topped Zucchini is prepped quick and then you just pop it in the oven until dinner time. Tender and soft zucchini roasted with garlic, olive oil, sea salt and fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean, North American
Keyword: parmesan cheese, zucchini
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 130kcal
Author: Julia Pinney

Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchini cut in quarters length ways and diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 Cup parmesan cheese fresh grated

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/180 degrees C.. Place the zucchini on a large baking tray. Drizzle over the olive oil, garlic, salt and black pepper. Toss to combine and roast for about 30 minutes, turning half way through.
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle over parmesan cheese Return to the oven for a further 5-7 minutes. Serve straight away.

*A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

Nutrition Facts
Parmesan Topped Zucchini
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 130 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 9mg3%
Sodium 211mg9%
Potassium 278mg8%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 295IU6%
Vitamin C 18mg22%
Calcium 170mg17%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

By on April 26th, 2024
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