Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan

Name: Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 - 4 zucchini (Depending upon the size, use more or less.); 2 tsp olive oil; 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (or grated Romano cheese); ½ tsp table salt; ¼ tsp black pepper; ½ tsp smoked paprika (or sweet paprika); ½ tsp garlic powder

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My oven-roasted zucchini with parmesan is a delicious way to get your family to eat more vegetables. My easy recipe uses fresh zucchini squash tossed with olive oil, seasonings, and grated parmesan cheese. It’s roasted to perfection and takes minutes to make, making it the perfect side dish for a busy weeknight, date night, or dinner party.

Made with simple ingredients, my easy zucchini is ready in less than 20 minutes, and I know after one bite, you’ll agree this is the best roasted zucchini recipe you’ve ever made and is guaranteed to become your favorite squash recipe. You can also use yellow squash or a combination of both to make my squash recipe.

I love roasted vegetables. Something magical happens when the high heat caramelizes them and brings out the natural sugars. I know my roasted zucchini with parmesan is a side dish your whole family will love!

If you’re a fan of zucchini, make sure to take a look at our Ratatouille Recipe and Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Table of Contents:

Ingredients to make Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients needed to make my Roasted Zucchini with parmesan recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Can I use other seasonings to make roasted zucchini?

Absolutely! You can use your choice of spices or a seasoning blend. Italian seasoning and lemon pepper seasoning are two of my favorites. For a touch of heat, add a little red pepper flakes or chili powder to the seasonings.

You can also use fresh herbs and chopped fresh garlic if you prefer to make this easy side dish recipe.

I like using parmesan cheese or grated Locatelli Romano cheese to perk up the zucchini slices, but if you’re not a fan of cheese or want to make the veggie vegan, you can leave the cheese out of the recipe.

How to make Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan

Collage showing how to start making recipe.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Add the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to a small bowl.
Mix to thoroughly combine the seasonings.
Rinse the zucchini and dry them with paper towels. Then slice the zucchini, end to end, into ½ thick slices.
Add the zucchini slices to a large bowl and drizzle the olive oil over the top of the sliced zucchini.

*You can also cut the squash into zucchini spears if you prefer.

Collage showing how to finish making recipe.

Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over top of the oiled zucchini.
Toss the zucchini with the seasonings so that all the slices have been seasoned.
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over top of the baking sheet.
*If you don’t have a wire rack, you can place the slices directly on foil or parchment paper.
Place the seasoned slices in a single layer on the wire rack, leaving a little space between them.
Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over top of the zucchini slices.

Place the sheet pan on the center rack of the hot oven and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Fully cooked oven roasted zucchini slices on baking sheet.

Carefully remove the pan from the oven and allow to cool for one minute. Then, place the oven-roasted zucchini with parmesan in a serving bowl.

This is one of my favorite ways to serve zucchini. The light, smoky flavor from the smoked paprika adds a nice touch to the crispy slices of zucchini, and the grated parmesan perks up the flavor.

Store any leftover oven roasted zucchini in an airtight container, refrigerated for two days. Reheat in a 400-degree oven for 7-10 minutes.

Recipe FAQ’s

How do I choose the best zucchini for roasting?

Look for zucchini that are firm, glossy, and free from blemishes. They should be small to medium-sized for a sweeter, tender texture. The larger ones start to lose some of their naturally sweet flavor.

Should I peel the zucchini before roasting?

No, you don’t need to peel zucchini before roasting. The skin is edible, and adds a nice texture, flavor, and contains nutrients.

How should I slice the zucchini?

I like to slice the zucchini end to end into ½-inch-thick rounds, but you can also slice it lengthwise into 2-3 inch spears.

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