Roasted Zucchini Parmesan Lightened! This deconstructed Zucchini Parmesan recipe will explode in your mouth with the flavors of our mom’s original zucchini parmigiana. Best of all, it’s gluten-free, made in less time, contains fewer calories and less fat and is twice as delicious without weighing us down. If you love zucchini, then this Roasted Zucchini Parmesan Lightened is for you!
How to Make Roasted Zucchini Parmesan – Lightened!
First, roasting slices of zucchini is a simple process.
Zucchini are simply sliced then toss into a roasting pan with olive oil and salt and roasted in the oven until golden.
It looks like there is a lot of zucchini in the pan, but they shrink excessively when roasted.
Then they are immediately transferred to a serving platter and topped with a layer of fresh tomato sauce, and a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese with ribbons of fresh basil.
The zucchini will absorb the tomato sauce along with Parmesan cheese and infuse the aromatic fresh basil better this way. This is the secret to its amazing flavors!
Plus, this dish is even better if you use a light tomato sauce like our Mom’s Quick Marinara Sauce. When I make a batch of her sauce, I keep it tightly sealed in a jar and in my fridge so I can use it for recipes like this one.
Her sauce stays fresh up to four days.
Roasted Zucchini Parmesan is extremely light and flavorful, you’ll be amazed what a wonderful side dish this is!
I used only 4 medium-size zucchini’s to make this as a quick side dish the other night, and it was enough for 3 people. I do recommend you make more than you think you will need.
It’s so flavorful – you’ll want to eat this dish all by yourself. It’s that good, and sort of irresistible in some way.
My family loved it!
Next time I think I will double the amount of zucchini’s so I can have leftovers for lunch the next day.
Roasted zucchini Parmesan is a gluten-free, low-calorie zucchini dish and one that will have everyone coming back for more! A lighter version of our Mom’s Zucchini Parmesan.
Mom’s version of zucchini parmigiana is similar to a lasagna, loaded with layers and it’s weighed down with tons of cheeses including mozzarella.
Don’t get me wrong, her zucchini parmesan is delicious too, but it’s much heavier.
If you are short for time or looking for a very light zucchini side dish and one that reminds you of your favorite parmigiana recipe? Look no further, for this is that recipe!
Roasted Zucchini Parmesan is without a doubt a much lighter dish without sacrificing flavor!
ENJOY!!
…Thanks for Pinning!
If you enjoy our Zucchini Parmesan, then you might also enjoy our Roasted Eggplant Parm-Lightened as well! Just another tried and true recipe!
Plus, try our Best Zucchini Lasagna – without Noodles! It’s gluten-free, light and most delicious!!
Yield: 2 to 3 servings
Roasted Zucchini Parmesan - Lightened!

This deconstructed Zucchini Parmesan recipe will explode in your mouth with all the flavors of our mom's original zucchini parmigiana. Best of all, it's made in less time, contains fewer calories and less fat and is twice as delicious without weighing us down.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Total Time
40 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil - divided
- 4 medium zucchini - sliced round
- salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup marinara tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 large basil leaves - thinly sliced or chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to Roast at 375 F. degrees. Drizzle 1 tablespoon on the bottom of a large roasting pan.
- Scatter the sliced zucchini into the roasting pan, and season with a little salt and black pepper on top. Then drizzle on top with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Roast zucchini on the top rack in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, and shaking the pan to turn them over or you can flip them over with a spatula to roast the other side evenly. Then roast for an additional 10 minutes until they are golden.
- Remove and transfer to a serving platter. Then spoon a single layer of tomato sauce ( preferably marinara sauce), then with a generous layer of grated Parmesan cheese on top and fresh basil.
- Set the platter aside to sit for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Serves 2 to 3
2 Comments
Susan
June 29, 2019 at 2:53 pmA delicious way to enjoy the farmers market zucchini in another month or so!
by Anna and Liz
June 29, 2019 at 5:09 pmYes and here in the South we already have zucchini from the farmer’s market , but you don’t have to wait. You can make this dish all year long! Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!