Ingredient Vegetable Squash Zucchini Smashed Lemon-Garlic Zucchini with Parmesan Be the first to rate & review! Zucchini rounds are flattened, then coated with Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, garlic and basil for a savory summer side. The cheese browns nicely, giving them an almost-crispy topping. By Carolyn Casner Carolyn Casner See More Carolyn Casner is a longtime recipe tester and contributor for EatingWell. Over the years, she has tested and developed hundreds of recipes for the magazine and website. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 11, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD Jessica Ball, M.S., RD, is the senior nutrition editor for EatingWell. She is a registered dietitian with a master's in food, nutrition and sustainability. In addition to EatingWell, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parents, Better Homes and Gardens and MyRecipes. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Credit: Brie Passano Active Time: 10 mins Total Time: 25 mins Servings: 6 Nutrition Profile: Low-Carb Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts This light summer side dish is enhanced with fresh basil for a fragrant flavor.Zucchini contributes water and fiber, which support hydration and a healthy gut.Broiling brings a crispy and golden finish to the zucchini rounds. Keep Screen Awake Ingredients 1/2x 1x 2x Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. This recipe was developed and tested at its original yield and has not been tested at other yields. Note that only the ingredient list is scaled, so you may need to make adjustments to ingredient amounts, cooking times and equipment sizes in the recipe steps. Scaling could also impact the nutrition analysis. Original recipe (1X) yields 6 servings 2 medium zucchini (14 ounces), trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch rounds 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground pepper Zest of 1 large lemon 1 large clove garlic, grated 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil Directions Position oven rack 6 inches from broiler. Preheat to 400°F. Score an X in the top of each zucchini round, cutting about halfway through. Arrange the rounds in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake on the upper rack until just tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from oven and flatten the rounds with the bottom of a mason jar or sturdy glass. Turn broiler to High. Meanwhile, combine lemon zest, garlic, Parmesan and basil in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the smashed zucchini. Broil until lightly browned and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, July 2021 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 43 Calories 3g Fat 3g Carbs 2g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 6 Serving Size about 4 pieces Calories 43 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 3g 1% Dietary Fiber 1g 4% Total Sugars 2g Protein 2g 4% Total Fat 3g 4% Saturated Fat 1g 5% Cholesterol 2mg 1% Vitamin A 179IU 4% Sodium 148mg 6% Potassium 181mg 4% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.