Learn how to saute zucchini with this quick and easy recipe! This Sauteed Zucchini (aka zucchini squash) is made with lightly caramelized onions and Parmesan cheese and it makes an easy zucchini side dish that your whole family will love! 

skillet of sauteed zucchini and onions for zucchini side dish

If you’re looking for a fast and healthy side dish, this simple sauteed zucchini is a tasty option.  

bowls of sliced zucchini and onions

Sauteed zucchini is one of the easiest side dishes you can make and it’s one of my favorite ways to cook zucchini.  This version is made with onions lightly caramelized in olive and some grated Parmesan cheese.  It’s so good!

Ingredients

These simple ingredients are all you’ll need to make this amazing Sauteed Zucchini. 

  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 onion, sliced thin
  • 3-4  tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • freshly ground black pepper

Variations

  • Add in a 1 -2 cloves of garlic while you saute the zucchini
  • Use a mix of zucchini (green squash) and yellow squash.
  • Sprinkle the zucchini as you saute with 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning just before adding the Parmesan cheese.

skillet with caramelized onions

skillet with caramelized onions

How to Saute Zucchini

Learn how to saute zucchini with this quick and easy recipe that you’ll want to keep in your back pocket.  It’s a great little recipe and the zucchini turns out amazing every time.  

  1. Prep vegetables and cheese.  Slice onion and zucchini squash and grate cheese. 
  2. Heat oil.  Pour olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. 
  3. Cook onions.  Add onions to the heated oil and cook for 5.-7 minutes or until the onions start to turn golden.
  4. Add zucchini.  Push the onions to the sides of the pan making room to add the zucchini slices.  Saute zucchini for  5-7 minutes then mix the onions in with the zucchini and continue cooking another 3-5 minutes.  
  5. Sprinkle with cheese.  Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the zucchini and place a lid over it for just a minute or two just until the cheese melts.

skillet of onions and zucchini for zucchini side dish

A cast iron skilled filled with cooked vegetables.

skillet of sauteed zucchini and onions for zucchini side dish

Tips for Making Sauteed Zucchini

  • You’ll want to cut your zucchini into thin rounds.  You can do this with a knife or a mandolin.  
  • Heat oil in hot skillet before adding onions.
  • Keep an eye on things to prevent burning, but don’t turn the onions and zucchini frequently.  Give them a little time to cook and turn golden on each side.  
  • Don’t place a lid on the skillet because this will turn prevent the onions and zucchini from browning nicely.

skillet of sauteed zucchini and onions for zucchini side dish

What to Serve with Zucchini Squash 

skillet of sauteed onions and zucchini

Healthy Zucchini Recipes

All of these recipes use fresh organic zucchini.

skillet of sauteed zucchini and onions
Yield: 4 servings

Sautéed Zucchini

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

This Sauteed Zucchini is made with lightly caramelized onions and Parmesan cheese.  It's an easy zucchini side dish that your whole family will love! 

Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 onion, sliced thin
  • 3-4  tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Slice onion and zucchini squash and grate cheese. 
  2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. 
  3. Add onions to the heated oil and cook for 5.-7 minutes or until the onions start to turn golden.
  4. Push the onions to the sides of the pan making room to add the zucchini slices.  Saute zucchini for  5-7 minutes then mix the onions in with the zucchini and continue cooking another 1-2 minutes.  
  5. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the zucchini and cook another 1-2 minutes or until the cheese melts

Notes

TIPS FOR MAKING SAUTEED ZUCCHINI

  • You'll want to cut your zucchini into thin rounds.  You can do this with a knife or a mandolin.  
  • Heat oil in hot skillet before adding onions.
  • Keep an eye on things to prevent burning, but don't turn the onions and zucchini frequently.  Give them a little time to cook and turn golden on each side.  
  • Don't place a lid on the skillet because this will turn prevent the onions and zucchini from browning nicely.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 52Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 106mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations.