Skillet Zucchini and Yellow Squash {My Fave Summer Side}
This skillet zucchini and yellow squash recipe is so easy, delicious, and healthy, it is bound to become a summer side dish staple.
Considering this is the side dish we eat four out of five times during the late summer months, I feel like it’s time to share my feelings about the gloriousness of sautéed zucchini and squash and then leave you to get on with your day and life.
Basically, it’s easy (10-15 minutes max). It literally can be served with anything (and I mean anything).
And it’s so yummy, I can’t be trusted alone with the skillet (no really, I’ll eat the whole thing). It’s my favorite summer side dish and I love that there aren’t any frills or secret ingredients or squash pretending to be gourmet here.
For those of you that have already been doing this for, like, 100 years already, I’m happy we’ve been on the same page for so long. You know, great minds and all that.
But if you haven’t, you should definitely be hopping on board while the squash lasts.
Whatever you do, remember to let the skillet get piping hot before adding that squash.
The delicious brown caramelization on the tender outsides of the squash is exactly what you are going for. Flavor, flavor, flavor.
As noted in the recipe, I love the addition of a tiny smattering of freshly grated Parmesan cheese at the end. It takes a rather simple (and terribly delicious) skillet zucchini and yellow squash number and gives it a little pizazz.
I love all of your comments on this recipe!
You’ve shared many variations on this simple side dish and each one sounds delicious!
If you are in need of further inspiration, read through the comments to see how to change this up a little bit here and there.
For instance, Michelle commented: This is one of our fav summer dishes too!! We usually add potatoes to it as well. On lazy summer days, I throw in some kielbasa and broil some garlic bread and call it dinner!
Others have you have added fresh corn kernels, diced tomatoes, potatoes, and of course, lots cheese. Can’t blame you for that at all. 🙂
Simple Skillet Zucchini and Yellow Squash
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon butter
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 2 small zucchini, ends trimmed and diced
- 2 small to medium yellow crookneck squash, ends trimmed and diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional but yummy
Instructions
- In a 10- or 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat until hot and rippling.
- Add the zucchini and yellow squash in as even a layer as possible (it should sizzle as it hits the skillet) and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let it sit without stirring or moving for 2-3 minutes so it can get nice and golden. Give it a good stir, add a touch more salt and pepper to taste if needed, and let it continue to cook, stirring only every now and then, until the squash is browning here and there and tender to your liking, about 5-7 more minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and top with freshly grated Parmesan, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
I added thinly sliced white onions and whole cherry tomatoes. I seasoned it with Italian herbs.
I love this recipe. I have made skillet summer squash for what seems like forever, and your directions to leave untouched for the first several minutes makes it so much better. When I am using big seedy squash I quarter them. It is then easy to slice down to cut out the seeds.
I have been wanting a simple recipe for the two squash for a very long time. Not only is this recipe simple and quick, but also delicious. I fix the dish every week. Thanks for sharing 👍
Smells delicious 😋
Easy and good. Improve it with 1/2 chopped yellow onion and chopped garlic then add the recipe above with chopped tomatoe
I made this for dinner last night it was amazing! My kids even loved it, they hate anything semi healthy. Will be making more for sure!
Just made delicious. So easy and I don’t cook.
I tried it but I didn’t exactly follow instructions bc I was so hungry lol. I made them to mushy but they were still good. Next time I’m following the recipe.
I made this to go alone with my Sunday dinner 4/7/24 . I usually cook it from time to time but me and my husband enjoys them. I cook mines with slice onions and add a little flour to brown them more. They really are good. I never tried it with no other ingredients but if I did it properly would be okra…..
Very simple and brings out the taste in the vegetables with out overpowering them. Thanks!
I have made this a couple of times. It is very easy. I also added red peppers, tomatoes, cooked salmon to not only give it flavor, but color also. The I added cooked white rice plus use add lipton dry onion soup mix, little at a time to gove it a nice onion flavor.
Thank you for teaching me to cook Mel! I am eating this for lunch and its so yummy. I would be the type to way over cook the Zucchini. I love your instructions. Eating healthy is easy with delicious food like this.
That what I’m gonna do Tonight . gonna be yummy !!!
Quick & easy & tasty!
Good but too many ads I couldn’t even watch the video
I loved this recipe, soooooo easy! Definitely a keeper. I think maybe next time I might add a few herbs but not a lot, the taste of the squash was delicious.
Great technique! I didn’t use Parmesan Cheese or salt and pepper. Substituted Goya vegetable seasoning packet instead. This will be my go to technique. I bet the original recipe would be great as well.
I am going to make another batch with cherry and or grape tomatoes.
I won’t forget the garlic and cheese
Nicely done Mel, don’t forget the cheese please
Really good I added onions and garlic to it did I say it was really good.
Awesome recipe. The grated parmesan was icing on the cake. A definite keeper!!!
Delish. I added a little onion and grape tomatoes. So good.
I hate these veggies and this is my new favorite! Will say that I cut the oil/butter for cooking by 3/4. Also – critical to use large enough skillet to ensure veggies are not crowded (soggy if you don’t).
I made these and added to a Minute “Jasmine Rice & Red Quinoa”. Mixed together and topped with a small amount of grated Parmesan cheese. Will definitely be making quite often!
Really good just as is!!
My old recipes, needed to refresh my mind. This is a good beginner recipe easy and quick.
I made it, it was yummy
Delicious
I just made this super easy recipe & it did not disappoint!! Loved it, added some of my fresh herbs & it was scrumptious! Thank you so much, this will a staple in my home now 🙂
I was given a bunch of zucchini and yellow squash…..mind you I NEVER eat squash as I never liked it. Had to find something to do with it, so I hit the google button to search for a way out of this and not throwing it out. Mel, if all of your recipes are as terrific as this one, you have a fan forever!!! I made it exactly as you suggested and expected a plain and boring dish and was I ever surprised. It was delicious. Even my extremely picky husband ate it all….but what was he to do, the only other option I gave him was cauliflower as a side dish and he was not about to choose cauliflower….not consciously anyway. Next time I think I am going to sauté some onions with fresh garlic and add that to this. It’s a winner and so easy and fast to make. And by the way, I did add the suggested parmesan and that made a big difference. I am so happy I found you.
I am dealing w something called parosmia and can’t eat anything w oil. Can I just double the butter and not use olive oil?
Yes, I think so
Slice yellow and green half stick butter add water chorizo boil reduce add onion tomato sliced or diced. Salt pepper garlic
Simple & easy. I added some chopped onion & garlic. Yum.
I had a few yellow summer squash I needed to use Andy’s recipe was the easiest I could find. It came out great! Followed recipe , just added grape tomatoes and spinach at the end and it was great. Ate it with white rice on the side and it turned out great! You could even add some soy sauce and mix it around with rice too! It was a great meatless Monday dish!
Thank you Mel! As a confirmed non-cook bachelor, I feel like I’ve struck gold.
It was quick and easy – it turned out terrific! Thank you so much.
I add potatoes, green peppers, onion, Spam. Sprinkle with Lawry’s Seasoning Salt.
i do this but add turkey sausage and uncle bens chicken flovore rice …. just 90 second for the rice
I had four to five yellow squash. Two zucchinis. One medium onion About a tablespoon of chopped garlic And one small to medium red bell pepper And brown. And Sautee. in butter and olive oil Salt and pepper to taste
Hi I’m here to look for ways to fry zucchini. I haven’t been much of a cook. So I’m new to all the learning about different things to make with it.
Has anyone tried this adding marinated mushrooms?
Loved this and so easy. I did not use the garlic but added Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Try it. – you’ll like it!
would mushrooms , peppers and smoked sausage added to recipe be good also?
Sure!