Are you looking for a way to add more vegetables to your diet, but don’t want to sacrifice the texture and deliciousness of some of your favorite pasta dishes? Look no further than zoodles! Here’s 35+ delicious and creative ways to prepare zoodles and make them a part of your weekly meals.
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Zoodles provide a delicious and healthy way to include vegetables in your diet, without having to sacrifice the taste of your favorite pasta dishes. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy zoodle meal idea or a more creative zoodle recipe, this post offers a variety of options to satisfy any craving.
What Are Zoodles?
Zoodles are a healthy and low-carb alternative to traditional pasta made from zucchini that has been spiralized into long, thin, noodle-like strands. The term “zoodles” comes from the combination of the words “zucchini” and “noodles.” Zoodles can be eaten raw or cooked and are commonly used as a replacement for pasta in various dishes such as spaghetti, stir-fries, and salads.
Benefits of Cooking with Zoodles
Zoodles are a great option for those looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake or add more vegetables to their diet. Zucchini is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium.
Zoodle Preparation Techniques
- Use a julienne tool. For quite a while this was my preferred method. The tool is about the size of a potato peeler and works in a similar fashion.
- Use a knife. Just thin slice slices horizontally and then slice those slices into long thin strips.
- Use a spiralizer. This is my new preferred method. I just got this spiralizer attachment for my KitchenAid as a wedding gift and I’m totally obsessed with it. I can spiralize three zucchini in less than 2 minutes. If you don’t have a KitchenAid, there’s also this spiralizer that gets great reviews.
Easy Zoodle Recipes
This Glazed Honey Sriracha Salmon served with zucchini noodles makes the perfect quick & easy dinner that's as delicious as it is healthy.
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This Half and Half Linguini uses half “real” noodles and half zucchini noodles for a tasty treat with less calories. Plenty of fresh herbs – mint, dill, and parsley – brighten things up along with the briny capers which are fried until crisp.
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Tossed in a creamy, Thai-inspired peanut dressing, this crunchy, colorful cold Thai zoodle salad is quick, healthy and satisfying.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
This stunningly beautiful, twisty-twirly pesto zoodle salad with fresh mozzarella, chicken and toasted pine nuts is a textural, colorful study in how to make the most of the late-summer harvest.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Whether you’re a meat-eater or a veteran veggie, you’ll swoon over this totally plant-based recipe for vegan coconut curry ramen with zucchini noodles!
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
These 15 minute garlic lime cashew zoodles are a super easy and healthy vegan meal option. This is a snap to make, and the sauce is addictive!
Get the RECIPE from Salt and Lavender
Green Goddess Zucchini Pasta – a delicious fresh & healthy spring pasta with a touch of naughty fried cheese. Bonus, it’s so easy!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Firey Schezwan Peanut and Chili Zucchini Noodles – fast easy, peanutty deliciousness with leftovers, what more could you ask for!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Asian Zoodle Salad Jars – Spiralized zucchini noodles, yellow bell pepper, sugar snap peas, mandarin oranges, crunchy wonton strips and sesame-ginger dressing. A portable and healthful make-ahead lunch!
Get the RECIPE from Foxes Love Lemons
I love this fresh and veggie filled zucchini noodle pasta with a yogurt herb sauce! The best thing about this pasta, besides the delicious flavors, is that it has half the calories and carbs of regular pasta! And you know what? I don’t even miss it!
Get the RECIPE from In Fine Taste
This Bruschetta Chicken is made with juicy chicken breasts that are seasoned with Italian herbs and spices and topped with a fresh tomato and basil bruschetta topping. Ready in just 30 minutes enjoy this low-calorie, low-carb, and gluten-free weeknight dinner with a side of sautéed zucchini zoodles…
Get the RECIPE from The Forked Spoon
Fabulous and healthy pesto zucchini noodles with a quick and easy avocado basil pesto sauce. Enjoy with grilled chicken for a full meal.
Get the RECIPE Ambitious Kitchen
Zucchini Lasagna is a comforting, healthy dinner made with thinly sliced zucchini instead of noodles. It’s an easy way to eat more veggies!
Get the RECIPE from Detoxinista
A light, yet spicy noodle dish featuring nutrient rich vegetables. This Cajun Zucchini Noodle Pasta is also paleo and vegan-friendly!
Get the RECIPE from Detoxinista
By adding some traditional spaghetti pasta with zucchini “zoodles”, we can much more effectively sneak these healthy veggies into our kids! Zucchini Spaghetti with Lemony Kale Pesto goes even further by using a kale-based pesto to pack in the extra punch of vitamins.
Get the RECIPE from Erica’s Recipes
The best keto zoodle lo mein stir fry with 3-ingredient stir fry sauce. A low carb and keto friendly zucchini stir fry recipe that’s fast and easy!
Get the RECIPE from Low Carb Quick
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Zoodles make best low carb side for any meal. This amazing and versatile low carb recipe is absolutely delicious!
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A great way to enjoy noodles while following a Whole 30 or Paleo diet is this recipe for Paleo Asian Zucchini Noodles. It makes a great meal or side dish.
Get the RECIPE from Everyday Shortcuts
This healthy vegetarian udon and zucchini noodle curry recipe is perfect for Meatless Monday (or any day of the week!) Uses just one pot!
Get the RECIPE from Life As a Strawberry
You’ll love these simple pesto zoodles made from fresh zucchini with baked salmon, burst cherry tomatoes, crispy pancetta, and lots of Parmesan!
Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio
Our Zucchini noodle pad thai recipe is light, low carb and satisfying when you’re craving regular pad thai. These zoodles have much less carbs than regular flour noodles but they’re still high on flavor! You won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything.
Get the RECIPE from White On Rice Couple
Favorite 15-Minute Zoodles Marinara | Vegan | Zucchini noodles are simmered in a cashew-cream infused marinara + topped with oodles of plant-based parmesan!
Get the RECIPE from Blissful Basil
Zucchini noodles tossed together in a creamy avocado pesto for a delicious healthy weeknight dinner that is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan and can be easily made in under 20 minutes!
Get the RECIPE from Eat Yourself Skinny
Spicy Sesame Zoodles with Crispy Tofu! SUPER easy recipe with familiar ingredients like soy sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, zucchini, and tofu. YUM!
Get the RECIPE from Pinch Of Yum
Welcome to your Next Level Zoodles! Tossed in a creamy corn sauce you’re going to love!
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These Vegetarian Zucchini Lasagna Rolls are low-carb and gluten-free yet still sinfully delicious with loads of melty cheese and plenty of fresh herbs. Made easy using store-bought tomato sauce.
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Learn how to make pho with zucchini noodles and bone broth in just 30 minutes. Once you have learned the technique, you’ll want to make pho ALL THE TIME.
Get the RECIPE from Pickles n Honey
Creamy Sundried Tomato + Parmesan Chicken Zoodles make the craziest low carb comfort food without feeling like a fit-foodie.
Get the RECIPE from Cafe Delites
The sauce for these Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Zucchini Noodles is so addicting! It’s so satisfying plus it’s gluten!
Get the RECIPE from Get Inspired Everyday
Vegan healthy, creamy zucchini noodles with a bright green spring onion and miso sauce, all topped off with a cheesy dairy-free sprinkle.
Get the RECIPE from The First Mess
Korean Beef Zucchini Noodles – LOW CARB Korean beef bowls except with zoodles! It is so much healthier and lighter without any of the carb guilt!!!
Get the RECIPE from Damn Delicious
Skip the takeout this weekend! This Thai Beef Drunken Zoodle dish has the most amazing sauce, flavor, and spice to satisfy all you Thai food lovers! Super easy to make on a busy weeknight. Recipe is grain-free, gluten-free, Paleo, Keto and Whole30 friendly.
Get the RECIPE from Wholesomelicious
Turkey Chow Fun Zoodles Stir Fry is made with stir fry zucchini noodles plus holiday leftover turkey and veggies! An easy low carb dinner recipe – SO good!
Get the RECIPE from Cotter Crunch
Mac + cheese just got a healthy makeover with this spiralized zucchini recipe! Seasonal zoodles are coated with a vegan cheeze sauce!
Get the RECIPE from The Healthy Maven
Zucchini noodle caprese is made from my favorite gluten-free pasta, zucchini noodles – and inspired by one of my all time favorite salads: caprese!
Get the RECIPE from Downshiftology
Chicken Zoodle Soup – Just like mom’s cozy chicken noodle soup but made with zucchini noodles instead! So comforting AND healthy!
Get the REICPE from Damn Delicious
How to Make Ahead and Store
Many of these zoodle recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead.
More Ingredient Guides
- Recipes that Use Ricotta Cheese
- Recipes that Use Pesto
- Recipes that Use Cannellini Beans
- Goat Cheese Recipes
- Gnocchi Recipes
Did you try any of these healthy zoodle recipes?
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35+ BEST Zoodle Recipes
Are you looking for a way to add more vegetables to your diet, but don’t want to sacrifice the texture and deliciousness of some of your favorite pasta dishes? Look no further than zoodles! Here's 35+ delicious and creative ways to prepare zoodles. Try this Half and Half Linguini. It uses half "real" noodles and half zucchini noodles for a tasty treat with less calories. Plenty of fresh herbs – mint, dill, and parsley – brighten things up along with the briny capers which are fried until crisp.
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Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 medium Divine Flavor zucchini (julienned or spiralized)
- 8 ounces linguine (1/2 package)
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup capers (drained, rinsed and dried)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup chopped mint
- 3/4 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- A pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
- 3 Tablespoons butter (diced)
- 1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Julienne your zucchini using your preferred method.
- Cook the pasta in boiling, salted water according to the package instructions, then drain in a colander, reserving a little of the cooking water.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the capers, and cook until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to cool.
- Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the pan, and cook the zucchini, garlic, and pepper flakes, until just tender, 1-3 minutes.
- Toss the zucchini with the drained pasta, along with the herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Add the butter, 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water, and half the cheese and mix well. Serve immediately, sprinkled with the remaining cheese and fried capers.
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Nutrition
Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 894mg | Potassium: 538mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 815IU | Vitamin C: 27.2mg | Calcium: 415mg | Iron: 1.8mg
