Sautéed in a delightful blend of garlic and butter, zucchini becomes a delicious dish that celebrates the flavors of the Summer harvest. This quick and easy recipe showcases the zucchini as the main star, taking only 10 minutes to make. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or served atop pasta or rice, it can effortlessly transform into meal your family will love!
Simple Zucchini Recipe
Looking for a simple zucchini recipe to use with your Summer garden harvest? Then you need to try this Sautéed Zucchini in garlic butter sauce. The taste is simple yet delicious, letting the crisp taste of zucchini shine through.
With just a few ingredient (zucchini, olive oil, butter, minced garlic and salt) you can whip up this delicious dish in 10 minutes!
You can serve the sautéed zucchini as a side dish alongside grilled meats or roasted chicken. Alternatively, you can serve it as zucchini pasta (our fav!) or rice for a complete meal. No matter how you serve it, I think you’re going to love it!
Looking for more zucchini recipes? Try my Zucchini Corn Fritters, Zucchini Potato Casserole, Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins and Zucchini Chocolate Cake.
How to Saute Zucchini in Butter Sauce
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and salt, stirring until the garlic is lightly sautéed and the butter is melted.
Place zucchini slices into the skillet, aiming for a single layer with some overlapping.
Cook until the zucchini is browned, stirring to coat them in the garlic butter sauce, for about 3-5 minutes. Adjust the cooking time based on desired crispness or softness.
Serve the sautéed zucchini warm and enjoy!
Other things you can add to sauteed zucchini:
- More Garlic: Love garlic? Me too. Adding extra garlic enhances the flavor and adds a delightful aroma to the dish. Add 1-2 more cloves minced garlic to the zucchini for a more pronounced garlic taste.
- Corn: Including sweet corn kernels in sautéed zucchini adds a touch of natural sweetness and a pleasant crunch. You can either use fresh corn kernels or canned corn (make sure to drain).
- Onions: Fried onions complement the zucchini by providing a slightly sweet and savory flavor. Thinly slice or dice the onions and cook them together with the zucchini until they turn translucent and slightly caramelized.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These little bursts of flavor add a refreshing tanginess and vibrant color to the sautéed zucchini. Simply halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes and add them to the pan towards the end of cooking, allowing them to soften slightly.
- Parmesan Cheese on Top: Grated or shaved parmesan cheese is a fantastic finishing touch. Sprinkle the cheese over the sautéed zucchini just before serving, allowing it to melt slightly melt.
How to Serve
Sautéed zucchini can be served in a few ways, including as a side dish or as a topping for pasta or rice.
- Side Dish: Serve sautéed zucchini as a flavorful side dish alongside grilled meats, rotisserie chicken, or oven roasted salmon. It pairs well with other summer vegetables, such as grilled corn or roasted tomatoes. Season with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
- Pasta Topping: Incorporate sautéed zucchini into pasta dishes for a delicious and wholesome meal. Toss the zucchini with cooked pasta, and your choice of additional ingredients like cherry tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. Consider adding grated Parmesan or feta cheese for a finishing touch.
- Rice Topping: Transform sautéed zucchini into a hearty rice bowl. Spoon the zucchini over a bed of cooked rice, such as white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Add additional protein if you’d like.
How to Store
Sautéed zucchini can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Allow the sautéed zucchini to cool completely before storing.
- Transfer the zucchini to an airtight container.
- Place the container in the refrigerator.
- When ready to reheat, you can either warm it in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
It’s important to note that sautéed zucchini may lose some of its texture and become slightly softer when stored.
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Zucchini Saute in Butter Sauce
PrintIngredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound zucchini sliced into 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick slices (this equals about 2-3 zucchini, depending on size)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat add the olive oil, butter, minced garlic and salt, mixing until garlic is lightly sautéed and butter is melted.
- Add zucchini slices into the skillet, trying to add them single layer but some overlapping is ok. Cook until zucchini is browned, stirring so they coat in the garlic butter sauce, about 4-6 minutes. Less time if you like them crisp, more time if you like them softened.
- Serve zucchini as a side dish, or on top of pasta or rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
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