This delicious Sliced Zucchini with walnuts has quickly become my family’s FAVORITE side dish! Healthy and filling, it pairs perfectly with all the meals you know and love.
You have to try this quick and easy zucchini side dish topped with Parmesan cheese. The addition of crunchy walnuts gives this dish a satisfying texture and an extra kick of nutty flavor.
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🩵 About This Recipe
Quick and easy with only 5 ingredients, this healthy zucchini side dish is your new favorite weeknight veggie!
It features tender zucchini with Parmesan cheese and the added crunch of walnuts. The result is a flavorful and nutritious side dish that pairs well with any meal.
And if you can't get enough of zucchini, try this Zucchini Walnut Fried Rice or these yummy Cheesy Zucchini Spinach Quesadillas!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- zucchini - this healthy and versatile ingredient is perfect to make sauteed squash.
- olive oil - helps the zucchini soften up and take on a nice brown color.
- minced garlic - the savory flavor complements the mild taste of zucchini.
- salt and pepper - enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Parmesan cheese - for some extra cheesy goodness.
- walnuts - add a crunch and a subtle nutty flavor to this side dish with zucchini.
🔪 Instructions
Slice Zucchini
Slice your zucchini into thin pucks, then slice each in half to make half moons.
Saute Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and saute the garlic until fragrant.
Add Zucchini
Cook the zucchini until softened and browned, about 3 minutes.
Flip
Brown for about 2 to 3 minutes on the other side.
Make Seasoning
In a separate bowl, combine Parmesan cheese with salt and pepper.
Season Zucchini
Toss the cooked zucchini with the seasoning.
Add Walnuts
Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped walnuts.
Make sure the oil is nice and hot before you add the sliced zucchini so it gets nice and browned without getting soggy!
❔ FAQs
Yes, zucchini is packed with vitamins and minerals and can also improve digestion and lower the risk of heart disease.
Technically, zucchini is actually a fruit! It's a variety of squash, and botanically the squash is considered similar to melons, cucumbers, and spaghetti squash.
If you overcrowd the pan, your zucchini may get soggy and soft instead of browning up.
Don't have time for this sliced zucchini recipe right now? Click or tap the heart icon on the BOTTOM RIGHT of the screen to save it for later!
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- You can buy pre-sliced zucchini from the grocery store to make prep even easier.
- If you are slicing your own zucchini, try to make sure all of the slices are even.
- Give the garlic a good mince to release all of the flavors and promote even cooking.
- Cook the zucchini in batches if need be. Overcrowding the pan may result in soggy zucchini.
- Walnuts can also be purchased pre-chopped to save time.
- This is best served immediately to ensure the walnuts are crunchy and the zucchini is tender crisp.
This super tasty sliced zucchini side dish is great for a weeknight dinner but elegant enough to serve with your holiday feast!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- In a pinch, you can use jarred garlic or even garlic paste as a substitute for fresh garlic cloves.
- Pre-grated Parmesan cheese works great, but grating or shredding your own Parmesan yields even more delicious results!
- Add more seasonings to taste. I like to taste the zucchini and add more pepper, or even add some paprika or red pepper flakes for a little bit of spice.
- This can also be made with other veggies like yellow squash, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Switch the kind of nuts for a different flavor. Pine nuts, almonds, and pecans are other great options as well.
- Add some tangy and citrusy flavor by squeezing in fresh lemon juice or stirring in lemon zest.
- Turn this into a main dish by adding grilled shrimp or chicken, tofu, or another protein.
What readers are saying...
I love how simple this side dish is! 🙂 And what a delicious way to use up those end-of-summer zucchini!
- Carrie
🥡 Storage and Reheating
This sliced zucchini dish is best served immediately, but you can also store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Reheat by sauteeing again in oil over medium high heat. If you microwave the leftovers, they're likely to get soggy or mushy.
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Pair this side dish with zucchini with Baked Maple Glazed Salmon, a Slow Cooker Red Lentil Stew, this Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade, or a simple and elegant White Whine Shrimp Pasta!
😋 More Zucchini Recipes You'll Love
- One Pot Zucchini Mushroom Pasta - This easy dinner comes together in a single pot for a super simple meal!
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fritters - Perfectly crispy and golden brown, this is your new favorite way to serve veggies.
- Zucchini Fries - Healthier than traditional fries, these tasty zucchini fries are easy to make in the air fryer.
- Zucchini Soup - This comforting dish from Two Peas and Their Pod is excellent for the colder months!
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Sauteed Zucchini with Walnuts
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📋 Recipe Card
Sauteed Sliced Zucchini with Walnuts
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Slice the zucchini into approximately ⅓ inch thick rounds, and then cut them in half to make half-circles.
- Heat the olive oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic and saute for a minute.1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Add the zucchini pieces and let them cook for about 3 minutes, until they start to soften and the edges turn brown.2 medium zucchini
- Flip them over and brown the other side, about 2-3 more minutes.
- Remove the zucchini pieces from the skillet as they become softened but before they become mushy.
- Mix the salt and pepper with the Parmesan cheese. Add extra pepper if desired.¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and chopped walnuts, and serve immediately¼ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Notes
- Buy pre-sliced zucchini from the grocery store to skip the slicing step.
- Mince the garlic finely to ensure it cooks quickly and releases its flavor evenly.
- Use pre-made garlic paste or jarred minced garlic to save time.
- I used pre-grated Parmesan cheese, but if you have fresh Parmesan cheese you can grate it tastes even better.
- Buy your walnuts pre-chopped to save prep time.
- Try to slice your zucchini with a consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet; cook the zucchini in batches if necessary to ensure they brown evenly and do not steam.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or Parmesan to your preference. The cheese itself adds saltiness, so you can even skip the salt if desired.
- Serve immediately to maintain the texture of the zucchini and the crunchiness of the walnuts.
- Buy pre-sliced zucchini from the grocery store to skip the slicing step.
- Substitute or add other quick-cooking vegetables like yellow squash, bell peppers, or mushrooms for added variety.
- Add herbs such as basil, thyme, or oregano for extra flavor. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a spicy kick.
- Use other nuts like pine nuts, pecans, or almonds to change up the flavor.
- You can also try other cheeses like feta, goat cheese, or Asiago for a different taste.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest before serving for a fresh, tangy flavor.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to turn this side dish into a delicious main dish!
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in September 2014, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in June 2024.
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Gianne says
The combination of tender zucchini and crunchy walnuts created a perfect harmony of textures and flavors. It's a simple yet elegant dish that's now a staple in my weekly meal rotation!
Heather says
This Sautéed Sliced Zucchini is a quick and tasty way to use up a bounty of zucchini. It’s simple to prepare, and the walnuts add a lovely crunch that complements the zucchini beautifully. We loved it, thanks so much!
Kristin King says
You're welcome! So happy to hear that!
Erik says
So simple and so good! Definitely my new go-to for the fresh zucchini I get from my neighbor.
Paula says
Satueed walnut zucchini is so tasty! I want to pair it with all my dinners this week!
chara says
I love this recipe, perfect for any occasion, thanks for sharing
Kristin King says
Yay! You are welcome, so glad you enjoyed it!
The Steaming Pot says
Zucchini + cheese + walnuts: winning combination! Loved the recipe.
Kristin King says
Thanks! It's definitely a fav in my house!
Melissa Vera says
I never would have thought to combine walnuts and zucchini. These are my favorite. Thanks for linking up this week on the #HomeMattersParty. Looking forward to seeing what you link up next week.