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Home » Side Dishes

Broiled Zucchini

Published: Aug 23, 2023 · Modified: Apr 11, 2025 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 784 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article.

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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.

A wooden spatula scooping broiled zucchini from a sheet pan.

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

Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe
  • Ingredients and substitutions
  • How to make broiled zucchini
  • Tips and tricks
  • Frequently asked questions
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Comments

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a counter top.
  • 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

Preparing and cooking zucchini slices on a metal sheet pan.
  1. Pat zucchini slices dry on both sides with a paper towel.
  2. Toss in oil and seasoning before placing on a baking sheet.
  3. Broil for 3-4 minutes, then remove from the oven and flip over. Top with parmesan cheese.
  4. 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.

A metal sheet pan filled with zucchini slices topped with melted parmesan cheese.

Frequently asked questions

How do you keep zucchini from turning out soggy?

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.

Do I need to peel my zucchini?

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.

How long should you broil zucchini?

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

A wooden spatula scooping broiled zucchini from a sheet pan.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Broiled Zucchini

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.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 92kcal

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

  • Nordic Ware Half Baking Sheet, 2 Pack
  • HENCKELS 8-inch Chef's Knife
  • John Boos Block Cutting Board, 12x18 inches
  • Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls, Set of 3

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.

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 335mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

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Hi I'm Heather, and I'm here to share my recipes for all that backyard garden zucchini.

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