Broiled zucchini is an easy and flavorful last-minute side dish to add to your dinner menu. Thick sliced zucchini is lightly seasoned, covered in parmesan cheese, and broiled until golden.
Why you'll love this recipe
Flavor/texture: Tender, perfectly cooked zucchini is lightly seasoned and topped with golden brown, melty parmesan cheese.
No more soggy zucchini! Zucchini is a quick-cooking vegetable that can go from firm to mushy in minutes. Broiling is the perfect way to cook zucchini quickly, without the soggy mess.
Serves: 6 people
Ready in 15 minutes. Perfect for quick weeknight meals.
Serve with: Turkey Zucchini Meatballs or Zucchini Lasagna Rolls
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Zucchini - You'll need about 3 medium zucchini, or about 1.5 pounds, for this recipe. Yellow summer squash would work as a substitute.
- Parmesan cheese - I highly recommend using freshly grated parmesan cheese from a block, rather than pre-grated cheese in a canister. Pre-grated cheeses are often coated in anti-clumping powders that add a grainy texture and prevent cheese from melting evenly.
- Oil - Olive oil can be substituted with your favorite cooking oil you keep on hand, like avocado oil or vegetable oil.
- Seasoning - Salt, pepper, and garlic powder add flavor to your zucchini.
How to make broiled zucchini
- Pat zucchini slices dry on both sides with a paper towel.
- Toss in oil and seasoning before placing on a baking sheet.
- Broil for 3-4 minutes, then remove from the oven and flip over. Top with parmesan cheese.
- Broil for another 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted and golden brown across the top.
Tips and tricks
Use the top third of your oven - Arrange your oven rack in the top third of the oven, ideally within about 6 inches of the broiler.
Use foil - Line your baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Parchment paper can burn under the broiler and cheese can stick to an unlined baking sheet.
Pat zucchini dry - Pat your zucchini dry before adding oil and seasoning. Once sliced, zucchini rounds will "sweat" as they sit, releasing water. Excess water sitting on your zucchini can cause them to turn out mushy in the oven.
Do not walk away - The broiler element of your oven can reach around 500 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit and will burn food quickly if left unattended. The broiler cooks zucchini very quickly and should be monitored the entire time.
Frequently asked questions
Zucchini is made of over 90% water, so when it's overcooked it becomes soggy and mushy. Pat your zucchini slices dry before adding oil and seasoning. Then, make sure not to overcook the slices under the broiler. Your cooked zucchini should be firm and the cheese melty and golden on top.
No, the peel of the zucchini is edible and there's no need to peel it off before broiling. It also contains plenty of nutrients like fiber, potassium, and vitamin A that you'd be missing out on by peeling it off.
Broil your zucchini slices for about 3-4 minutes on the first side. Flip, top with cheese, and broil for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
📖 Recipe
Broiled Zucchini
Ingredients
- 3 medium zucchini, about 1.5 pounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup (50 g) parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Move oven rack to top third of the oven, ideally within about 6 inches of the broiler.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
- Slice zucchini into ½ inch thick slices and pat dry with a paper towel. Add to a bowl and top with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to evenly coat.
- Turn on broiler to preheat for a minute. Arrange zucchini slices in a single layer on prepared baking sheet.
- Broil zucchini for about 3-4 minutes on first side. Remove from oven, flip, and cover with parmesan cheese. Broil for another 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly.
Recommended Equipment
Video
Notes
- Storage: Leftover zucchini will keep for 3-4 days in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Use foil: Parchment paper can burn under the broiler, so I recommend using foil instead.
- Place it properly: Zucchini will take longer to cook if more than 6 inches from the broiler.
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