Simple Vegan Parmesan Zucchini! Toasty, nutty, and brimming with vegan parm goodness, zucchini just got a whole lot better with this simple skillet side.

Zucchini lovers rejoice, this easy, oil-free Simple Vegan Parmesan Zucchini makes for a delicious side dish that is sure to please. Tender sliced sautéed zucchini coated with aromatic Italian herbs and spices, topped with vegan parmesan cheese, and oven toasted to perfection is all the deliciousness of batter coated zucchini fries without the fuss.

Whole Food Plant Based, vegan, plant based, oil free, refined sugar free, gluten free, no highly processed ingredients.

Hi there, Ameera here!

I love zucchini! Every year we grow multiple zucchini plants that produce tons and TONS of zucchini. We are always looking for delicious ways to use zucchini. One of my absolute favorites is zucchini fries. Just thinking about them gets my mouth watering lol. Here is our favorite Italian Baked Zucchini Fries.

The only thing about zucchini fries is the time commitment since our zucchini fries are battered, breaded, and baked. I wanted something faster without the fuss, but with all the Italian herbaceous flavor.

First Things First

These delicious Parmesan Zucchinis are definitely a very yummy, simple dish. A tasty mix of gluten free breadcrumbs and our Vegan Parmesan Cheese sprinkled on top then broiled creates a delicious toasted crust that is a total must for this dish.

I just want you to understand going in that this recipe is a beautifully sautéed zucchini dish that is a nod to zucchini fries, but has been specifically created to speed up the process, less mess, less time commitment, and yet can still deliver a tasty recipe. Are they just like zucchini fries?  No. BUT they are amazing for a simple, quick, zucchini side.

Dad Says…

Dad loved this dish, but he felt it needed more sea salt and black pepper! Ok, I’ve added Dad’s 2 cents as he requested that I let our Readers know since he is our main taste tester and takes this job very seriously! LOL  This same statement has been added to our Tips for Success section in the recipe notes section.

Give this recipe a try.  We would love to know what you think!

If you try this wholesome dish, we would love to know if you enjoy it as much as we do! Please leave us a review! Post a picture on Facebook or Instagram and tag us!  We would love to hear from you.

More Delicious Zucchini Recipes:

• Italian Baked Zucchini Fries
• Stewed Zucchini and Chickpeas
• Vegan Zucchini Muffins
• No Oil Vegan Buffalo Zucchini Fritters
• Vegan Cheesy Zucchini Soup

Products Used:

• Large nonstick skillet to sauté the zucchini

Simple Parmesan Zucchini Skillet

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• Author: Monkey and Me Kitchen Adventures
• Prep Time: 8 Minutes
• Cook Time: 20 Minutes
• Total Time: 28 Minutes
• Yield: 3 to 4 Servings 1x
• Category: Sides
• Method: Stovetop, Oven
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Toasty, nutty, and brimming with Italian herby goodness, this easy, oil-free Simple Vegan Parmesan Zucchini makes for a delicious side dish.

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Ingredients

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Skillet Ingredients:

• ¼ cup yellow onions, fine dice
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced *
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup low-sodium vegetable broth *
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings (+/-)
• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano (+/-)
• 1 Tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 1/8 to ¼ teaspoon sea salt (+/-) *
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper (+/-)

Parmesan Topping:

• 2 Tablespoons Vegan Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Tablespoon panko crumbs *

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to ‘Broil’. Set the oven rack near the broiler unit.
2. Make the Parmesan Topping, set aside.
3. Place the finely diced onions into to a nonstick skillet (broiler safe), sauté for several minutes until softened (about 3 to 5 minutes), adding a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent sticking.
4. Add the sliced zucchini, sauté for several minutes to soften, then all the remaining Skillet Ingredients, stir to combine, then flatten into an even layer, cover with a tight-fitting lid and sauté/simmer for 7 to 10 minutes, largely dependent upon how tender you like your zucchini. If any liquid is remaining, remove the lid to allow it to evaporate.
5. Taste test and add more seasonings, if desired. Cook for several minutes if additional seasonings are added.
6. Remove the skillet from the stove, sprinkle the Parmesan Topping all over the top of the zucchini, then place the skillet under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the topping is lightly golden brown.
7. Serve and enjoy.

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Notes

Tips for Success:

• Tenderness/Seasoning of Zucchini: The key to this dish is to get the zucchini at the desired tenderness. We had family members completely divided over the tenderness of the zucchini.  Taste test by pulling up a zucchini from the edge and tasting.  If additional time is needed, continue to simmer.  If additional seasoning is needed, just sprinkle it over top of the zucchini without stirring.
• Flattening the Layer: The reason you are flattening the ingredients in the skillet serves 2 purposes.  1) It allows the water/broth to effectively sauté/simmer all the zucchini and 2) It creates a uniform, flat surface at the end to sprinkle the Parmesan Cheese Topping across the top for maximum coverage (hitting most of the zucchini with Parmesan yumminess).
• Sea Salt and Pepper: Our family was divided over if additional sea salt and/or black pepper were needed. We suggest using the amount in the recipe (or less), then adding additional sea salt and pepper to individual servings.
• Panko Crumbs: You can leave the panko crumbs out and skip broiling this dish under the broiler.  Simple sprinkle 3 Tablespoons of Vegan Parmesan Cheese over top of the dish and serve.

*Notes Continued:

*Panko Crumbs: We used Ian’s Gluten Free Panko crumbs for this recipe.  Ian’s is oil-free but does contain a small amount of sugar in it.  Ian’s is generally accepted by the Whole Food Plant Based Community.  If you do not need to be gluten free, feel free to use any panko bread crumbs of your choosing.

*Sea Salt:  Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.

*Serving: 3 to 4

*Storage:  Use within 5 days.

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