Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light and vibrant vegetarian side dish featuring tender zucchini and sweet cherry tomatoes sautéed with fragrant garlic and fresh basil. This italian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 18 minutes pairs halved cherry tomatoes, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 8 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 90 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, then add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 medium zucchinis sliced into 1/4-inch rounds and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine with the garlic oil.
  3. Step 3: Season with 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until zucchini is tender and tomatoes are softened with some juices released.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 1 tsp lemon zest to brighten the flavors before serving warm.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil take to make?

Total time is about 18 minutes (8 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep halved cherry tomatoes from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Sautéed Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes