Best 7 Squash And Zucchini With Pesto Recipes

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Zucchini and squash are two summer vegetables that are packed with flavor. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, but one of the most delicious is to roast them with pesto. The combination of the sweet vegetables and the savory, nutty pesto is irresistible. This dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it's also a great way to use up any leftover squash or zucchini.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

PESTO SQUASH



Pesto Squash image

A fast, easy side dish with Italian flavor!

Provided by Audrey Mezowe

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Zucchini

Time 16m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 3

4 zucchini, sliced
1 cup basil pesto
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Place zucchini in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 2 to 6 minutes.
  • In a serving bowl, mix together zucchini and pesto. Top with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 363 calories, Carbohydrate 10.8 g, Cholesterol 24.4 mg, Fat 30.2 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 15.5 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 572.1 mg, Sugar 3.4 g

SQUASH AND ZUCCHINI WITH PESTO



Squash and Zucchini with Pesto image

Replace pasta with thin strips of squash and zucchini and top with pesto. Add some basil-garlic sausages or chicken to make it a complete meal!

Provided by Emily

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Squash     Zucchini

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

olive oil, or to taste
3 summer squash, cut into long, thin strips
3 zucchini, cut into long, thin strips
2 onions, cut into strips
salt and ground black pepper to taste
½ cup toasted pine nuts
2 cups fresh basil leaves
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
2 heirloom tomatoes, finely chopped

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add squash, zucchini, and onions; saute until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Combine pine nuts, salt, and pepper in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Add basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Continue to process until finely ground. Slowly add in olive oil until pesto reaches the desired consistency.
  • Serve pesto over the warm vegetables. Top with tomatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 419.9 calories, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 33.2 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 13.1 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 217.2 mg, Sugar 7.5 g

PARMESAN PESTO ZUCCHINI STICKS



Parmesan Pesto Zucchini Sticks image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 35m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 medium (6 to 8-inch-long) zucchini, trimmed
1/2 cup good store-bought pesto
8 tablespoons good olive oil, divided
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 large garlic cloves
1 1/4 cups panko (Japanese bread flakes)
3/4 cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Flaked sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange two racks evenly spaced in the oven. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.
  • Cut each zucchini in quarters lengthwise through the stem and then cut each quarter again in thirds lengthwise, making long skinny spears. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the pesto and 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and set aside. Place the parsley and garlic in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until they are finely minced. Add the panko, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper plus the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil. Pulse only until all the panko is moistened with oil. Pour the mixture onto a dinner plate.
  • Dip the zucchini spears first into the pesto mixture, turning to coat completely, then place each one in the crumb mixture, pressing and turning to coat thickly. Arrange the sticks in rows on the prepared sheet pans.
  • Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, until the zucchini is tender and the crumbs have crisped to a crunchy golden brown. Sprinkle lightly with flaked sea salt and serve hot.

ZUCCHINI AND YELLOW SQUASH WITH PESTO



Zucchini and Yellow Squash with Pesto image

Categories     Food Processor     Cheese     Nut     Vegetable     Appetizer     Side     No-Cook     Vegetarian     Quick & Easy     Basil     Pine Nut     Squash     Zucchini     Summer     Yellow Squash     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 6 as a side dish

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
1 tablespoon pine nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound zucchini (about 2 large)
1/2 pound yellow squash (about 1 large)

Steps:

  • In a food processor purée together basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, salt, lemon juice, and oil until smooth and season with pepper.
  • With a mandoline or other manual slicer, cut zucchini and yellow squash lengthwise into very thin slices. Arrange slices in one layer, overlapping them slightly, on 2 large platters and drizzle pesto over slices. Chill zucchini and yellow squash, covered, at least 1 hour, to allow dressing to be absorbed, and up to 1 day.

SPAGHETTI SQUASH WITH PESTO



Spaghetti Squash With Pesto image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Categories     side dish

Time 45m

Yield 6 - 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

3 1/2 to 4 pounds spaghetti squash
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup pesto (see note)
4 ripe plum tomatoes (or well-drained canned tomatoes), chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

Steps:

  • Boil spaghetti squash about 40 minutes, until tender when pierced with knife. Drain, allow to cool somewhat, then split in half lengthwise.
  • Using large spoon, scrape out seeds and strings to which they are attached and discard. Using forks, scrape flesh of squash away from skin and transfer to large saucepan. Flesh will lift up in clumps of strands that separate easily. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Gently fold in pesto and tomatoes. Recheck seasonings and set aside, covered. About 10 minutes before serving, reheat gently in saucepan and sprinkle with parsley or basil.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 187, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 650 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams

ORZO WITH SUMMER SQUASH AND PESTO



Orzo with Summer Squash and Pesto image

There's still plenty of summer squash in the market. I like to dice it small for this dish, cook it with a little garlic and marjoram or mint and toss it with orzo, a pasta that looks like rice but tastes and feels like pasta. I love the textures of the two, and the pesto completes the dish. Make sure to dice the squash small so the pieces aren't much bigger than the grains of orzo.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, main course

Time 30m

Yield Serves 4 to 5

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 pounds zucchini or other summer squash, cut in 1/4-inch dice (about 4 cups)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh marjoram or mint
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
10 ounces (1 1/3 cups) orzo
1/3 cup basil or basil-mint pesto (1/2 batch)
Additional grated Parmesan or pecorino for serving

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the orzo and salt generously. Meanwhile, heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add summer squash. Turn heat up to medium high and cook, stirring often, until squash is tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in marjoram or mint and season to taste with salt and pepper. Turn off heat.
  • When water in pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add orzo. Cook 9 minutes, until al dente. Stir 3 to 4 tablespoons of the cooking water into the pesto, then drain orzo and toss with squash. Heat through, add pesto, toss again and serve, passing more Parmesan or pecorino in a bowl.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 319, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 49 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 500 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

PESTO WITH SUMMER SQUASH SAUTE



Pesto With Summer Squash Saute image

This is another way I like to prepare the zucchini that is so plentiful now. Yellow squash, or a combination of both, can also be used.

Provided by shelbyrose

Categories     Onions

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/2 cup fresh basil
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon walnuts
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
2 large summer squash, sliced 1/4 inch thick (yellow or zucchini)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup onion, sliced

Steps:

  • To make the pesto, place the basil, garlic, two tablespoons olive oil, walnuts and parmesan cheese in a food processor.
  • Pulse until a coarse paste forms; set aside.
  • Heat the one tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet.
  • Add the squash, onion and mushrooms.
  • Cook until just soft.
  • Toss in the pesto.
  • Check the seasonings.
  • Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 140.2, Fat 12, SaturatedFat 1.8, Cholesterol 1.1, Sodium 23.4, Carbohydrate 7.3, Fiber 2.3, Sugar 4.1, Protein 3.1

Tips:

  • Choose fresh, firm zucchini and squash. Look for vegetables that are deep in color and free of blemishes.
  • Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces. This will help them cook evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan. If you're cooking a lot of vegetables, cook them in batches so that they can brown properly.
  • Season the vegetables generously. Salt, pepper, and garlic powder are all good options.
  • Cook the vegetables until they are tender-crisp. You don't want them to be mushy, but you also don't want them to be raw.
  • Serve the vegetables immediately. They're best when they're hot and fresh.

Conclusion:

Squash and zucchini with pesto is a delicious and easy side dish that can be enjoyed all summer long. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that is both flavorful and healthy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy side dish, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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