Courgettes have a funny habit of appearing in large quantities.
Maybe you bought a couple with good intentions. Maybe someone handed you a bag from their garden. Or maybe – and this seems to happen every summer – they simply multiply in the fridge overnight.
Either way, you suddenly find yourself asking the same question – What on earth am I going to cook with all these courgettes?
The good news is that courgettes are one of the most adaptable vegetables you can cook with. They fry beautifully, roast quickly, melt into pasta sauces, bulk out curries and even work surprisingly well in baking.
They’re also perfect for quick weeknight cooking, which is exactly the sort of thing I care about most here.
So if you’re staring at a pile of courgettes and wondering where to start, here are some of my favourite ways to use them – from quick pasta dinners to lighter sides and a few slightly unexpected ideas.
Why Why Courgettes Deserve More Credit
Courgettes don’t always get the attention they deserve.
They’re inexpensive, widely available and extremely easy to cook with – but they can also be genuinely delicious when treated properly.
A few reasons I use them constantly:
- They cook very quickly – ideal for weeknight dinners.
- They absorb flavour beautifully, which means they work with almost any cuisine.
- They add colour and freshness without making a dish heavy.
- They’re brilliant for stretching meals, especially pasta, soups and tray bakes.
In short: if dinner is looking a bit thin, courgettes can usually rescue it.
How to Cook Courgettes Without Them Going Soggy
If you’ve ever had watery courgettes, you’re not alone. They contain a lot of water, which means technique matters.
Luckily the fix is simple.
- Cook them hot – Courgettes love a hot pan or oven. High heat helps them brown before they release too much moisture.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan – Too many courgettes in one pan means they steam instead of fry.
- Slice them evenly – This helps them cook at the same speed.
- Salt at the end – Salt draws out water, so adding it later helps keep their texture.
Once you get these right, courgettes go from “a bit watery” to golden and completely delicious.
Flavours That Work Brilliantly With Courgettes
Courgettes have quite a mild flavour, which means they work best with ingredients that bring a bit of personality.
Some combinations that almost always work:
- Cheese: feta, parmesan, goat’s cheese, halloumi
- Herbs: basil, mint, dill, parsley, thyme
- Smoky flavours: chorizo, pancetta, smoked paprika
- Bright flavours: lemon, garlic, chilli
- Mediterranean veg: tomatoes, peppers, aubergine
Think of courgettes as the supporting actor that makes everything else shine.
Seasonal Notes: When Courgettes Are at Their Best
Courgettes are at their peak in the UK between June and September, when they’re tender, sweet and plentiful.
Smaller courgettes are usually the best choice – they tend to be firmer and less watery than very large ones.
In summer they’re lovely grilled or lightly fried with lemon and herbs. In cooler months they work beautifully roasted into comforting dishes like pasta bakes, risottos and traybakes.
Delicious Ways to Cook with Courgettes
Courgettes are one of those ingredients that can quietly slide into almost anything. Pasta, curries, traybakes, salads, tarts… they seem to make themselves at home everywhere.
Below are some of my favourite ways to use them. If you’re trying to use up a few courgettes in the fridge, you’ll definitely find something here that works.
Quick Courgette Dinners
If you want something fast and satisfying, these are great places to start. Courgettes cook quickly, which makes them perfect for weeknight dinners.
Salt and Pepper Courgettes
Courgettes cooked with classic salt and pepper flavours – garlic, chilli, peppers and five spice – for a seriously addictive side dish that goes with almost anything.
Creamy Courgette Pasta
A quick, comforting pasta dish where courgettes cook down into a silky garlic cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes and very hard to stop eating.
Chickpea and Courgette Vegan Chilli
A hearty, veg-packed chilli with chickpeas, courgettes and peppers. It’s warming, satisfying and ready surprisingly quickly.
Quick Courgette and Goats Cheese Gnocchi
Soft gnocchi with courgettes, tomatoes and creamy goats cheese. A simple Mediterranean-style dinner that comes together in minutes.
Courgettes With Mediterranean Flavours
Courgettes absolutely love Mediterranean ingredients – tomatoes, olive oil, herbs and cheese. If you’re in the mood for something sunny and comforting, these recipes are a great place to start.
Salami and Courgette White Pizza
A crisp white pizza topped with mozzarella, salami and thin slices of courgette. Rich, savoury and very moreish.
Courgette and Pancetta Orzo
A creamy orzo pasta dish with courgettes, pancetta and cream cheese. Comforting but still light enough for a weeknight.
Mushroom, Courgette and Ricotta Pasta
A 15-minute vegetarian pasta with mushrooms, courgettes and ricotta creating a creamy sauce with hardly any effort.
Pea, Spring Onion and Courgette Tart
A light puff pastry tart packed with fresh green vegetables and a soft cheese base. Perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Easy Vegetarian Halloumi Pasta with Roasted Courgettes and Tomatoes
Roasted courgettes and tomatoes tossed with pasta and golden halloumi for a colourful, flavour-packed vegetarian dinner.
Courgettes as the Star Ingredient
Sometimes courgettes play a supporting role, but these recipes really let them shine.
Greek Sharer with Courgette Fritters
Crispy courgette fritters served with tzatziki, hummus, olives and pitta — perfect for a relaxed sharing-style meal.
Courgette and Coconut Dal
A silky red lentil dal with courgettes and coconut milk. Comforting, gently spiced and naturally vegan.
Courgette Lasagne
A delicious vegetarian lasagne layered with courgettes and a rich sauce, topped with bubbling cheese for proper comfort food.
Lighter Courgette Dishes
If you’re after something a bit lighter, courgettes are brilliant in salads, seafood dishes and vegetable-focused meals.
Seared Tuna with Roasted Vegetables
Crispy seared tuna served with roasted potatoes, courgettes and tomatoes, finished with a bright balsamic dressing.
Creamy Butter Beans with Lemon and Dill
Butter beans and courgettes in a creamy lemon and dill sauce — simple, comforting and perfect with crusty bread.
Ratatouille with Sea Bass and Goats Cheese
A vibrant ratatouille of tomatoes and courgettes served with pan-fried sea bass and soft goats cheese.
Miso Soup with Noodles and Stir-Fried Veg
A comforting miso broth filled with noodles and stir-fried vegetables including courgette, mushrooms and greens.
Unexpected Ways to Use Courgettes
Courgettes also turn up in places you might not expect – and they’re often better for it.
Savoury Courgette and Gorgonzola Muffins
Soft savoury muffins with courgettes and creamy gorgonzola — perfect for brunch, lunchboxes or a quick snack.
Autumn Vegetable Risotto
A comforting risotto packed with seasonal vegetables including courgettes and leeks.
One Pan Hot Honey Sausage and Vegetable Tray Bake
Roasted sausages, courgettes, mushrooms and peppers tossed in a sweet-spicy hot honey glaze. An easy one-pan dinner.
If You Still Have Courgettes Left…
Courgettes have a funny habit of multiplying, so if you’re still working through a pile of them, pasta is usually the easiest solution.
They cook quickly, soak up flavour beautifully and make a pasta dish feel instantly more generous.
Luckily, courgettes seem to love pasta just as much as we do.