Simple Roasted Zucchini

Article by: Krissy Downey

Roasted zucchini is the perfect side dish; it’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile. Our easy oven roasted zucchini recipe features fresh zucchini tossed with olive oil, fresh thyme, salt and pepper. Once everything is tossed together, the zucchini is roasted to golden perfection. It’s a tender, caramelized veggie that pairs wonderfully with most main courses. Whether you’re preparing weeknight dinner, weekend dinner party or looking for a healthy addition to your meal prep routine, our roasted zucchini will quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation.

How to Roast Zucchini Like a Pro

Cut the zucchini into even slices. Evenly cut slices means even cooking. We think 1/2 inch is the perfect size to get a nice and crispy outside while maintaining a tender inside.

Toss the ingredients in a bowl before adding to the baking sheet. This is an extra step that goes a long way. It may be easier to throw it all onto the sheet pan right away, but tossing the zucchini with the oil, thyme, salt and pepper in a bowl makes sure every single piece of zucchini is evenly coated with all that flavor. Plus, the even coating of oil will ensure that the zucchini gets fully golden brown.

Don’t crowd the pan. If the pan is crowded and the zucchini is touching, it will steam instead of brown. That caramelized flavor is the best part of roasted zucchini, so make sure the pan is not too crowded.

Roast in a hot oven. We keep the oven at 475 degrees F for this recipe so that it gets nice and golden brown for 20 to 25 minutes.

Can I Use Spices Other Than Thyme?

Absolutely, and feel free to get creative here. You can use red pepper flakes, minced garlic, smoked paprika or any other of your favorite spices. To really take things to the next level, you can use Italian seasoning or even taco seasoning to add a burst of flavor. In the summer, when the zucchini in your garden is growing rapidly, changing up the spices will give you tons of different flavor options, all for one vegetable.

What to Serve with Roasted Zucchini

Our roasted zucchini is the perfect simple side dish to go with all kinds of main courses. We love it with baked salmon, grilled steak, or even simply tossed with buttered noodles.

How to Store Roasted Zucchini

Roasted zucchini will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, just stick it in a 350-degree F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. It’s best not to freeze this one – the high water content in zucchini can make it soggy when it thaws.