48 Meal Ideas using Zucchini and Yellow Squash
We recently did a collection of 8 budget friendly zucchini and squash recipes, but we had so many ideas! So, we will do a quick run-down of all kinds of kid-friendly ways you can use these items in your meal planning.
Kid Friendly Summer Squash Meal Ideas
Don’t forget to adjust the ideas as needed so they work for your family!
1. Zucchini Fries
Slice zucchini into sticks, coat with breadcrumbs, and bake until crispy. Serve with ketchup or ranch dressing.
2. Squash and Zucchini Chips
Thinly slice the vegetables, toss with a little olive oil and salt, and bake until crispy for a healthy snack.
3. Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles)
Use a spiralizer to make zucchini noodles. Sauté with a little olive oil and garlic for a simple side dish.
4. Stuffed Squash Boats
Hollow out the squash and fill with a mixture of cooked rice, cheese, and your favorite seasonings. Bake until tender.
5.Squash Pancakes
Grate squash and mix with a little flour, egg, and seasonings. Fry small spoonfuls in a skillet until golden brown.
6. Vegetable Stir-Fry
Slice squash and zucchini and stir-fry with other veggies and a simple soy sauce-based sauce. Serve over rice.
7. Zucchini Muffins
Add grated zucchini to muffin batter for a moist and nutritious breakfast treat.
8. Squash and Zucchini Skewers
Thread chunks of squash, zucchini, and other veggies onto skewers and grill or broil until tender.
9. Simple Sauté
Slice squash and zucchini and sauté in a little olive oil with garlic, salt, and pepper until tender.
10. Squash and Zucchini Fritters
Mix grated squash and zucchini with an egg and a little flour. Fry spoonfuls in a skillet until golden brown.
11. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Slice zucchini into rounds, top with a little marinara sauce and cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Squash and Zucchini Soup
Cook chopped squash and zucchini with onion and garlic in chicken or vegetable broth. Blend until smooth for a creamy soup.
13. Squash and Zucchini Casserole
Layer sliced squash and zucchini with cheese and breadcrumbs in a baking dish. Bake until bubbly and golden.
14. Zucchini Tacos
Sauté sliced zucchini with taco seasoning and use as a filling for soft or hard tacos.
15. Squash and Zucchini Pasta
Sauté sliced squash and zucchini with garlic and olive oil, then toss with cooked pasta and a little Parmesan cheese.
16. Zucchini Bread
Grate zucchini and mix it into your favorite quick bread batter for a moist and delicious treat.
17. Squash and Zucchini Omelet
Add diced squash and zucchini to your morning omelet for a nutritious and tasty breakfast.
18. Zucchini and Squash Fajitas
Sauté sliced squash and zucchini with bell peppers and onions, then serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
19. Zucchini and Squash Pizza
Top a pizza crust with sliced zucchini and squash, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce for a veggie-packed pizza.
20. Squash and Zucchini Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with cheese, sliced squash, and zucchini, then cook until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
21. Squash and Zucchini Salad
Chop raw squash and zucchini into small pieces and mix with your favorite salad greens, tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette.
22. Squash and Zucchini Stir-Fry Noodles
Stir-fry sliced squash and zucchini with cooked noodles and a simple soy sauce-based sauce for a quick and easy meal.
23. Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef
Hollow out zucchini and fill with a mixture of cooked ground beef, tomato sauce, and cheese. Bake until tender and bubbly.
24. Squash and Zucchini Kabobs
Thread chunks of squash, zucchini, and other veggies onto skewers, then grill or broil until tender and slightly charred.
25. Zucchini Lasagna
Use thinly sliced zucchini in place of lasagna noodles in your favorite lasagna recipe for a lower-carb alternative.
26. Squash and Zucchini Ratatouille
Simmer sliced squash and zucchini with tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and herbs for a flavorful French-inspired dish.
27. Squash and Zucchini Curry
Cook diced squash and zucchini in a simple curry sauce made with coconut milk, curry powder, and vegetables. Serve over rice.
28. Zucchini Fajita Bowls
Sauté sliced zucchini with fajita seasoning and serve over a bowl of rice with your favorite fajita toppings.
29. Squash and Zucchini Pesto Pasta
Toss cooked pasta with a simple pesto sauce and sautéed squash and zucchini for a fresh and flavorful dish.
30. Zucchini Salsa
Dice zucchini finely and mix with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for a fresh and crunchy salsa.
31. Squash and Zucchini Stir-Fry Rice
Stir-fry diced squash and zucchini with cooked rice, soy sauce, and your favorite vegetables for a quick fried rice.
32. Zucchini and Squash Tater Tots
Grate zucchini and squash, mix with a little flour, egg, and seasoning, shape into tots, and bake until crispy.
33. Squash and Zucchini Spring Rolls
Julienne squash and zucchini, then roll with rice paper wraps and serve with a dipping sauce for a light and fresh appetizer.
34. Zucchini Smoothie
Blend raw zucchini with spinach, banana, and a splash of juice for a nutritious and kid-friendly smoothie.
35. Squash and Zucchini Enchiladas
Fill tortillas with sautéed squash and zucchini, roll up, and top with enchilada sauce and cheese before baking.
36. Zucchini and Squash Dip
Cook and blend zucchini and squash with cream cheese, garlic, and herbs for a creamy vegetable dip.
37. Squash and Zucchini Baked Risotto
Stir diced squash and zucchini into a baked risotto for a simple, hands-off meal.
38. Zucchini Brownies
Add grated zucchini to brownie batter for a moist and slightly healthier chocolate treat.
39. Squash and Zucchini Focaccia
Top focaccia dough with thin slices of squash and zucchini, olive oil, and herbs before baking.
40. Zucchini Sushi Rolls
Use thin slices of zucchini as the wrap for sushi rolls filled with your favorite ingredients.
41. Zucchini and Squash Chili
Add diced zucchini and squash to your favorite chili recipe for extra vegetables and texture.
42. Squash and Zucchini Gazpacho
Blend raw squash and zucchini with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and a splash of vinegar for a cold summer soup.
43. Zucchini Breakfast Hash
Sauté diced zucchini with potatoes, onions, and bell peppers for a hearty breakfast hash.
44. Squash and Zucchini Tabbouleh
Mix finely diced squash and zucchini with cooked bulgur, parsley, tomatoes, and a lemony dressing for a fresh salad.
45. Squash and Zucchini Panzanella
Combine chopped squash and zucchini with bread cubes, tomatoes, and a simple vinaigrette for a classic Italian bread salad.
46. Zucchini and Squash Mashed Potatoes
Mix steamed and mashed zucchini and squash into mashed potatoes for extra nutrients and flavor.
47. Squash and Zucchini Bruschetta
Top toasted bread slices with a mixture of diced squash, zucchini, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
48. Zucchini and Squash Tart
Layer thin slices of zucchini and squash on puff pastry, sprinkle with cheese and herbs, and bake until golden brown.
Summer Produce Spotlight: Squash & Zucchini
Don’t forget that you can actually freeze yellow squash and zucchini for later! I like to cut them into my desired shape like rounds, half-moons, or dice.
Then arrange them on parchment paper on a sheet pan. Freeze for 1-2 hours and then place inside a plastic bag.
Make sure to get as much air as possible out of the bag to reduce any freezer burn. Then you can have squash and zucchini later on!
Please note that frozen yellow squash and zucchini are best used in baked or cooked dishes because their texture is not as firm as when they are raw.
