Easy Sautéed Zucchini

Sautéed Zucchini is a healthy, delicious, easy-to-make side dish that can be ready in just 20 minutes! A combination of chopped zucchini, mushrooms, red onion, and garlic is cooked in olive oil and then topped with fresh parsley. This recipe pairs perfectly with chicken, steak, seafood, and much more!

We are huge fans of sautéed vegetables, especially this sautéed zucchini recipe. There’s nothing easier than throwing some fresh veggies in a skillet with some olive oil and seasonings, then letting the stovetop do all of the work. This nutritious side dish is full of flavor and takes just minutes to prepare.

Why you should make this recipe

• Healthy: This vegetable dish is packed with fiber and antioxidants. It’s also low in calories, fat, and cholesterol! These vegetables are a good source of potassium, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins A, B, and C.
• Easy: With just one pan and less than 20 minutes, you’ll have a great side dish for busy weeknights.
• Delicious: The combination of vegetables sautéed in olive oil until golden brown is incredibly tasty! And the flavor profile pairs well with a variety of main entrees.
• Versatile: Like most vegetable medleys, this recipe is really flexible. Feel free to change up the ingredients to fit your taste preference and what you have available. You can add different vegetables, like broccoli or cauliflower, and seasonings or spices.

Ingredients needed

You only need 5 simple key ingredients to make this sautéed zucchini dish! Here’s the lineup:

• Olive oil: For cooking the vegetable medley. Sub with avocado oil, ghee, or butter, if you’d like.
• Mushrooms: Chopped white button mushrooms add heartiness, volume, and nutrients but very few calories.
• Red onions: When sautéed, red onions have a subtle sweetness and they add a gorgeous pop of color.
• Zucchini: When choosing zucchini, look for squash that’s about 6- to 8 inches in length and still relatively thin. It should feel heavy for its size and the skin should be dark green, smooth, and free of blemishes.
• Garlic: Cooking with garlic just makes everything taste that much better. Other than the salt & pepper, it’s really the only seasoning needed.
• Salt & pepper: To bring out all of the delicious flavors!
• Herbs: If you’d like to add some extra fresh flavor and color, sprinkle the finished dish with chopped fresh parsley or other fresh herbs, such as dill, green onions, or basil.

How to make this zucchini and veggies recipe

This is one of the easiest side dish recipes! Here’s the simple process:

1. Sauté the mushrooms: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Cook the onions, zucchini, and garlic: Stir in the onions, zucchini, and garlic. Continue to cook for 5 minutes more, or until the veggies are tender.
3. Serve: Season to your taste and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Expert Tips

• Add the garlic towards the very end of the cooking time so that it doesn’t burn.
• For the best texture and flavor, we recommend fresh, NOT frozen veggies for this recipe.
• To save on prep time, you can purchase some of these veggies pre-sliced and chopped.

Frequently asked questions

Variations

While we typically enjoy this recipe as-is, sometimes we add other ingredients to spice things up a bit! Here are some options:

• Bacon: Fry up a few slices of bacon or some pancetta in the skillet. Remove to drain on a paper towel-lined plate; crumble it when cooled. Use the rendered bacon fat to sauté the vegetables and sprinkle them with bacon to serve.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Add 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil, toward the end of cooking.
• Cheese: Sprinkle feta or parmesan cheese over the veggies before serving.
• Nuts: Add 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or thinly sliced almonds right before serving.

Serving suggestions

This sautéed zucchini recipe is great served as part of an easy weeknight meal. Here are some delicious pairing options:

• Easy Chicken Milanese
• Creamy Garlic Chicken Breast Skillet
• Grilled BBQ Chicken
• Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Adobo Recipe
• Mediterranean Baked Salmon
• Lemon Chicken Breast

Storage recommendations

Leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. You can reheat them on the stovetop, in the microwave, or even pop them in the oven until warmed through.

We do not recommend freezing the vegetables once they have been cooked.

More healthy side dish recipes

• Butternut Squash Casserole
• Easy Maple Roasted Carrots
• Healthy Eggplant And Zucchini Gratin
• Garlic Butter Hasselback Potatoes
• Easy Chickpea Feta Salad
• Cucumber Onion Salad
• Air Fryer Broccoli

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