It's zucchini season and if you love zucchini, and have fresh summer zucchini, then you're probably making stuffed zucchini (aka zucchini boats). It really is a great way to enjoy this summer squash! They are not only fun, but zucchini boats are also healthy and low-carb! But what to serve with stuffed zucchini? That is the question.... So, I have gathered up 35 fantastic recipes to serve with stuffed zucchini, from my fellow food bloggers.
![collage of 3 photos of what to serve with stuffed zucchini with text on white background in middle](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/What-to-serve-with-zucchini-boats.jpg)
Whether you are serving fresh zucchini boats as a side or a main course, I have you covered with lots of ideas for recipes to serve with zucchini boats that the whole family will love, including salads, rice, bread, and even main courses you could serve with your stuffed zucchini side dish.
Sides Dishes to serve with Stuffed Zucchini
If you are serving a stuffed zucchini recipe stuffed with meat (Italian sausage, chicken, ground turkey, ground beef or bacon), like these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Zucchini (shown), Healthy Perogy Stuffed Zucchini, Taco Zucchini Boats, Greek Stuffed Zucchini Boat , Southwestern Turkey Stuffed Zucchini Boats, or Pizza Zucchini Boats and this is the main dish, then you'll want to serve them with a side. I have gathered the best side dishes including salad, bread, or vegetable sides, for a stuffed zucchini main dish.
![buffalo chicken zucchini boats with ranch dip and parmesan cheese in white bowls in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Buffalo-Chicken-Zucchini.jpg)
Salads
![quinoa salad with spoon sticking out, in white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Quinoa-Salad-360x360.jpg)
![honey lime cilantro vinaigrette being poured over a strawberry spinach salad](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lime-Cilantro-Vinaigrette-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Greek pasta salad in white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Easy-Greek-Pasta-Salad.img_-360x360.jpg)
![Italian rice salad on a white plate with hand holding fork in salad](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Italian-Rice-Salad-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Mandarin Orange salad in a small glass bowl with a fork](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mandarin-Salad-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Tortellini salad on a white plate with a fork](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tortellini-Salad-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Easy (vegan) mixed bean salad in a large bowl with a dark brown wooden spoon](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Canned-Bean-Medley-salad-360x360.jpg)
Rice
![lemon rice in a silver work with dill on the side](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Lemon-rice-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![apple rice with sausage on a white plate with pine cones in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Apple-Rice-360x360.jpg)
![vegetarian rice pilaf in a white casserole dish on wooden surface, with large spoon in it](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Vegetarian-Rice-Pilaf-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![mushroom and spinach rice in a white bowl on white linen](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mushroom-rice-recipe-360x360.jpg)
Vegetables
![Sweet potato fries and dip in white plate on white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Garlic-Sweet-Potatoes-Fries-dip-360x360.jpg)
![Creamed Cabbage with bacon in a white bowl on a wooden surface, with mauve linen on the side](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Creamed-Cabbage-with-Bacon-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![half of a white casserole dish of loaded cauliflower mash](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Loaded-Cauliflower-Mash-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![kimchi pickle in white bowl on grey marble counter surface with glass vinegar container in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Kimchi-Cucumbers-360x360.jpg)
![cooked, sliced, onion baked potato on foil](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/baked-potato-with-onion-360x360.jpg)
Bread and Buns
![bread machine Italian breadsticks in a basket](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Breadsticks-in-the-bread-machine-360x360.jpg)
![Keto garlic knots on a white plate with dipping sauce in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Garlic-Knots-360x360.jpg)
![6 pieces of everything bagel cloud bread stacked on top of each other](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Cloud-Bread-360x360.jpg)
![4 pieces of naan bread on a dark wood cutting board](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Naan-bread-360x360.jpg)
![baking powder biscuits piled on a plate with magic baking powder in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Baking-powder-biscuits-with-cream-of-tartar-360x360.jpg)
![squares of cornbread piled on a plate with honey being drizzled from above](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Cornbread--360x360.jpg)
![several granny buns in a basket with a blue checked cloth](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Granny-Bun-recipe-360x360.jpg)
Other Sides
![slow cooker baked beans in pottery with slow cooker in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Slow-Cooker-Baked-Beans-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
![lemony herbed millet in a white bowl with fork in it](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Millet-360x360.jpg)
Main Dishes to Serve with Stuffed Zucchini
Zucchini boats make a great side dish, served with a main dish. Serving them on the side is ideal if you're having stuffed zucchini that is lighter or vegetarian, like these Air Fryer Zucchini Boats or Vegetarian Mexican Stuffed Zucchini (shown). Here are some main dishes that pair well with stuffed zucchini on the side.
![Vegetarian Mexican Stuffed Zucchini Boats](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Vegetarian-Mexican-Stuffed-Zucchini-Boats.jpg)
![meatloaf, sliced on a black tray with a colorful flower tea towel in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Dairy-free-and-gluten-free-Meatloaf-360x360.jpg)
![miso salmon on a bed of lettuce and vegetables in a white bowl](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Miso-Baked-Salmon-360x360.jpg)
![view of half plate of fried chicken with macaroni salad](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Pan-Fried-chicken-thighs-recipe-360x360.jpg)
![Maple lemon pork on a plate with broccoli and baked potato in foil](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Maple-Pork-Marinade-360x360.jpg)
![hoisin chicken quarters piled up](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Hoisin-Baked-Chicken-Quarters-360x360.jpg)
![slow cooker ribs with beer on a cutting board with thongs in the background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Slow-Cooker-Ribs-with-Beer-360x360.jpg)
![4 chicken thighs in air fryer](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Air-Fryer-Lemon-Pepper-Chicken-360x360.jpg)
![Smoked New York Strip on a cutting board](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Smoked-Beef-Strip-Sirloin-360x360.jpg)
![cornish game hens with rosemary wine sauce in a glass dish with blue oven mitts in background](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Cornish-Game-Hen-Recipe-360x360.jpg)
💭 Top Tip
When choosing zucchini for your stuffed zucchini, the size of your zucchini matters, and bigger is not better! Choose smaller to medium zucchini instead of large zucchini, as they tend to be more flavorful. Larger zucchinis also tend to have tougher skin. I usually grate larger zucchini and use them in zucchini bread, muffins, cookies and fried zucchini.
📖Variations & Substitutions
- Cheese - the cheese in most of the zucchini boat recipes can be swapped out for another type (cheddar cheese for mozzarella cheese or Monterey jack cheese or visa versa) You can use your favorite cheese or whatever you have on hand. Parmesan cheese is an excellent garnish for stuffed zucchini!
- Oil - in most recipes you can use olive oil, vegetable oil, cooking oil, and canola oil interchangeably.
- Lactose-free - use lactose-free cheese and lactose-free cream cheese instead of regular cheese for filling.
- Spicy - to make zucchini boats spicy use crushed red pepper flakes or add hot sauce
- Lighten - you can substitute turkey sausage, chicken sausage, turkey bacon, or ground turkey to lighten up most zucchini boat recipes
🍽 Equipment
You'll need a, 9X13 baking dish , at least 2 inches deep for making zucchini boats and in many cases, a large skillet (affiliate links), for making the filling. You can also make them on a baking sheet, if you don't have a deeper baking dish. See individual recipes for specific equipment requirements.
![stuffed zucchini in baking dish](https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Buffalo-chicken-zucchini-boats-step-4.jpg)
👪 Serving Size
Each recipe has the servings listed on the recipe card. However, many of the recipes also have adjustable servings so you can half, double or triple the recipe. Simply click on the blue serving number, then select the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.
🌡️Storage
Store leftover zucchini boats in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They will freeze well in a sealed container for up to 3 months. See individual side and main dish recipes for storage information.
❔ Frequently Asked Questions
Use a spoon or melon baller to scoop out the zucchini flesh from zucchini halves, leaving at least ¼ of an inch thick rim. Discard insides. Then fill the zucchini shells with filling of your choice.
Yes, zucchini boats are healthy, low carb, low calorie, low in saturated fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. Zucchini is a good source of Protein, Vitamin A, thiamin, Niacin, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.
Whether you grow your own and have an abundance of zucchini or get it at the grocery store, zucchini boats the perfect zucchini recipe and a healthy dinner or lunch. I hope this post helped you decide what to serve zucchini boats!
⭐ Reviews
Please leave a star rating and comment!
Jasmine
These all look delicious! Definitely saving and making a few of these.
Terri Gilson
Thanks, Jasmine!