Zucchini Stuffing

Name: Zucchini Stuffing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 cups zucchini (diced - about 3 medium zucchinis); 1 cup carrot (peeled and grated - about 2 carrots); 1/2 cup onion (chopped fine or grated); 1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted); 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/3 cup butter (melted); 2 1/4 cups herb seasoned stuffing mix - Pepperidge Farm classic stuffing (divided); 1/8 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground (optional )

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Fresh zucchini, carrots and onions, along with your favorite stuffing mix, combine to create a savory, veggie-infused easy side dish that's perfect in the summer when zucchini is plentiful. It's equally delicious alongside a holiday meal. This is essentially an old fashioned zucchini casserole recipe full of hearty vegetables, but no cheese or heavy cream. Zucchini Stuffing is all about savory flavors. Added bonus, of all the zucchini recipes I've enjoyed, this made from scratch zucchini side dish is on the table in about an hour. I think it's one of the best ways to enjoy our favorite summer squash from the garden, grocery store or the farmers market.

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Full of veggies but not lacking that distinctive comfort from traditional stuffing, this recipe is pure comfort food. — Not your ordinary stuffing recipe. This side dish is brimming with fresh zucchini.

Ingredients to Have on Hand

zucchini
carrots
onion
cream of chicken soup
sour cream
pre-seasoned stuffing
butter

Four zucchinis, three carrots and an onion on a counter. — This recipe starts with fresh veggies.

Garden Veggies

Zucchini Stuffing could easily be called garden stuffing or carrot and zucchini stuffing because it's so full of those fresh vegetables. In fact veggies are the main ingredients.

Around my house, when it's zucchini season, my family is quick to ask when we'll be enjoying this easy zucchini casserole recipe.

I like to make it because there are just a handful of ingredients that combine to create a delicious zucchini mixture that is savory and versatile.

Diced zucchini in a 4-cup glass measuring cup. — About 4 cups of diced zucchini is perfect for this recipe, but don't worry if you add more. The more veggies the better!

What to Serve with Zucchini

Tender zucchini can be an incredibly versatile side for everything from a summer cookout, to a winter gathering or even an elegant meal. This particular recipe is a simple way to enhance summer-time garden flavors and serve a savory side dish that is sure to please.

In the summer and early fall, I like to serve this zucchini side dish with anything that come from the grill. This is delicious to served with roast beef, hamburgers or pork.

Then once the holidays roll around, this is the ideal side dish for holiday turkey, ham or even prime rib.

Grated carrots in a one-cup measuring bowl. — Your measurements don't need to be precise with this recipe, anywhere in the ballpark of 1 cup of grated carrots is perfect,

Optional Garnish

For a whimsical garnish, grab any of the zucchini that wasn't needed in the recipe and use a spiralizing tool to create zucchini noodles.

Place a handful of the curled, tender zucchini noodles on top of the stuffing and they'll cook perfectly during the last 20 minutes of baking.

As an option you could also spread a handful of shredded zucchini on the top during those last 20 minutes of baking. The only thing you'll miss are the curls.

Curled zucchini noodles in a bowl. — Curled zucchini noodles, or "zoodles" as they are called, are a wonderful topping for this stuffing recipe.

Zoodle Topping

I've made this recipe dozens of times and every now and then I like to include a layer of zucchini "zoodles" on top. It adds a little eye appeal and if you have an abundance of zucchini on hand, it's a great way to put that garden veggie to good use.

Despite that veggie-inspired topping, I'm not sure I'd classify this as a healthy side dish. But given the ingredient list is full of vegetables, I'd say it's worthy of being called a "good thing" to bring to the dinner table.

This is simply the best zucchini casserole recipe I've ever tried. It's second only to zucchini bread as my favorite way to use my summer zucchini.

Baking dish with zucchini casserole and a serving spoon. — Piping hot and fresh from the oven, this stuffing recipe is full of veggies and not like any stuffing recipe we've had before.

Top Tips and FAQ

What type of stuffing mix should I use?

There are many delicious options for pre-seasoned stuffing, but my favorite for this recipe is Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Classic Stuffing.

I think the mix of white and wheat breads and the herbs and spices in this particular mix are the perfect complement to zucchini.

It's also a crumb-style stuffing mix so the pieces of bread are small and crunchy.

Is there a vegetarian option?

For sure. Replace the can of cream of chicken soup with a can of cream of celery soup. The flavor of the dish will be more subtle, but the consistency will be the same. I don't recommend cream of mushroom soup though, since the flavor of that soup is distinctive and strong.

Can I freeze this recipe?

I don't recommend freezing it. But it can most certainly be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated before baking. I've done that many times when I plan to serve this with a holiday meal. Remove the pan from the refrigerator and set it on the kitchen counter for about 30 minutes, then bake as directed.

Should I peel the zucchini?

There's no need to peel zucchini before baking it or enjoying it.

Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe is one of my Mom's specialities. Thanks Mom! It's a recipe that helps us use zucchini from the garden, even the large zucchini.

When she serves it she calls it zucchini casserole. I've enjoyed this dish for so many years. It's terrific in the summer months, using fresh zucchini from the garden. It's equally delicious alongside a holiday meal in the fall, winter and spring. It's an easy recipe with simple ingredients and great flavor.

Stay in Touch

I can't wait for you to share this with your family! Here are other recipes I think you'll love digging into for a holiday meal or any time serving comfort food is the top priority: Classic Potato Rolls, Crockpot Banana Bread, Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese and Turkey Pot Pie. Be sure to rate the recipes you make! I always love hearing from you.