Sautéed Yellow Squash

A crispy panko topping and fresh herbs add bold flavor to this sautéed yellow squash recipe. Easy and delicious, it's a perfect summer side dish.

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Who else loves yellow squash? Like zucchini, it starts to take over my fridge at this point in the summer, but I really can’t complain. This tender, sunny summer squash is versatile, nourishing, and super easy to cook. I love to grill it, roast it, and even eat it raw, but lately, I’ve been hooked on this sautéed yellow squash recipe.

Yellow squash itself has a mild flavor, so I toss it with a bright herb oil as soon as it comes off the heat. Then, I pile on a savory panko topping for crunch. Just a heads up – this topping is seriously addictive. It’s totally vegan, but thanks to my easy vegan Parmesan, it tastes rich and cheesy. Topped onto the tender, herb-flecked squash, it makes this simple recipe irresistible.

How to Select Summer Squash

Anytime you’re making a simple, produce-forward recipe, the quality of your ingredients counts. You can’t make a great Caprese salad without sweet, tangy tomatoes, and peach cobbler falls flat without juicy peaches. Here, it pays to use the best yellow squash you can find.

Look for small or medium-sized yellow squash at the farmers market or grocery store. They should have vibrant, glossy skins and be firm to the touch – soft spots are a sign of rot. Avoid buying summer squash that are particularly long or thick. They’re often bland, with a spongy, seedy, and watery texture. When in doubt, choose the smallest squash available. They’ll have a lightly sweet flavor and firm/tender interior.

How to Cook Yellow Squash

Right now, sautéing is my favorite method for how to cook yellow squash. I love how the veggies become slightly soft and sweet but still retain a nice bite. Here’s how I do it:

First, slice the squash into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. If your squash is particularly large, cut the rounds into half-moons.

Then, cook!Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and sauté the squash for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until it softens but still has a nice bite. You don’t want it to become mushy!

Finally, season it.Remove the summer squash from the heat and toss it with the herb oil. Sprinkle it with the panko topping and fresh herbs, and enjoy!

Yellow Squash Recipe Serving Suggestions

This sautéed yellow squash recipe is a simple, delicious summer side dish. Serve it with your favorite protein, homemade pizza, eggplant Parmesan, or one of these summer pasta recipes:

Easy Pesto Pasta
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Linguine with Lemon and Tomatoes
Creamy Pasta Pomodoro
Best Vegetarian Lasagna
Or any of these 25 Easy Pasta Recipes!

Round out the meal with homemade focaccia or good crusty bread to sop up any herb oil left on your plate. Enjoy!

More Favorite Summer Squash Recipes

If you love this sautéed yellow squash, try one of these summer squash recipes next:

rate this recipe:

4.90 from 48 votes

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Serves 4

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This sautéed yellow squash is one of my all-time favorite summer squash recipes! A crispy, nutty panko topping contrasts perfectly with the tender, herb-flecked squash.

Ingredients

3 yellow squash
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Fresh basil and thyme, for garnish, optional

Herb oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small garlic clove, grated
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
¼ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Bread Crumb Topping

¼ cup panko bread crumbs
¼ cup Vegan Parmesan
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt
Red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

Slice the squash into ¼-inch rounds. If the squash is large, slice the rounds into half-moons.
Make the herb oil: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper and shake to combine.
Make the topping: In a small bowl, combine the panko, Vegan Parmesan, parsley, salt, several grinds of pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a few drizzles of olive oil. Add the squash and sauté for about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so that all sides get cooked. I like to cook mine until it’s soft, yet still has a firm bite, but before it becomes too watery and mushy. Remove from the skillet and toss with the herb oil. Top with the panko mixture, and fresh herbs, if desired.