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Simple shredded fresh zucchini sauteed until tender and topped with salt, pepper, garlic, and parmesan cheese. This zucchini recipe pairs so well with beef and chicken.
Shredded Sautéed Zucchini with Parmesan
This recipe has been our go-to vegetable side dish recipe for over 22 years. My sister-in-law, Laurel, taught me how to make this sauteed zucchini recipe when we were first married and we’ve been hooked ever since. It is our favorite way to eat zucchini!
I grew up with a Mom who grew an abundance of squash and zucchini in the garden. We would have it with every meal during the Spring and Summer months when it is ready to harvest. Let’s keep it real here — I wasn’t a fan of zucchini until this method of cooking it. Now it is one of my favorite vegetables!
It all comes down to shredding the zucchini with a grater before cooking it. Then it is sauteed in a skillet until tender and topped with your favorite type of cheese. I use parmesan and either a sharp white cheddar or mozzarella cheese since they both melt so well. It is so creamy and delicious that you may even forget you are eating vegetables!
Here’s a tip when cooking zucchini. Since zucchini is 90% water, it helps to squeeze out some of it once you grate the zucchini. So once I grate the zucchini in a bowl, I take a paper towel and wrap the zucchini in it and squeeze out the water. You won’t believe how much you will get out!
This Shredded Sauteed Zucchini takes less than 10 minutes to cook and you have a simple, easy, and super tasty vegetable side dish. This is one vegetable my kids love to eat!
How to make the Best Sauteed Zucchini Recipe:
- Start by washing the zucchini. Then cut off the ends of the zucchini and shred the zucchini using a grater. Place in a bowl and lightly wrap the zucchini in a paper towel and squeeze the zucchini to remove a majority of the water.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Spray the skillet with non-stick cooking spray or drizzle in some extra-virgin olive oil. Add the zucchini and cook for 5-7 minutes or until zucchini begins to soften and become tender.
- Add garlic and cheeses and cook for 1 more minute or until cheese is melted. I prefer to use a mix of cheeses — one that melts well and one that has full flavor. I usually use a white cheddar or mozzarella for melting and parmesan cheese for a burst of flavor. Cook longer if you want softer zucchini.
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Sauteed Shredded Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. Zucchini (ends trimmed)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (or non-stick cooking spray)
- 1 to 2 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
- 3/4 cup Cheese (a mix of parmesan, white cheddar, or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Wash the zucchini and cut the ends off. Grate each zucchini with a grater (or use the grating attachment on a food processor).
- Transfer to a bowl and squeeze zucchini with a paper towel or clean dish towel to remove excess water. Zucchini holds a lot of water so this will help in the cooking process.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Add zucchini and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tender. Add garlic with 1 minute left of cooking time. Stir in cheese and let it melt. I prefer to do a mix of parmesan cheese (for flavor) and white cheddar or mozzarella (because it melts so well and makes it creamy).
- Top with more grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Excellent recipe for my over abundance of zucchini from our garden. Trader Joe’s has “Unexpected Cheddar Cheese” right now. It is a mix of aged white cheddar and Parmesan cheese. Perfect match for this side dish.
Hi Debi! I love this idea. The unexpected cheddar is one of my favorite cheeses and would be so delicious paired with the zucchini. Thank you so much for sharing!
SO GOOD! The yummiest ways to eat veggies
Wow, was this recipe amazing!! I didn’t miss traditional pasta noodles at all!! Amazing flavor and getting some of my veggies in at the same time was a plus. Thanks for this amazing recipe, it will definitely be one of my staples.
This was DELISH and so satisfying. Thank you!
Delicious, simple, quick! Followed to a T. Used half Parm + half White Cheddar
We love garlic but non-garlic lovers can always cut back.
Hey Melissa
This sounds like a great recipe. I always like to take something to work that’s good, tasty, good for you and not to heavy. This would be just right for a lunch. I can’t wait to try it. You come up with the most delicious recipes ever. I love getting them and trying them out. Thank you so much for sharing them with all of us. I’m making the Beef Ragu with Polenta for dinner tonight. I can’t wait. I’m so hungry right now.
Thanks so much, Donna! You are always so kind and I appreciate it!