If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, This Keto Pesto Zucchini Noodle Recipe Is Exactly What You Need
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If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, This Keto Pesto Zucchini Noodle Recipe Is Exactly What You Need
Zucchini might just be the most versatile squash in the produce aisle, capturing the hearts of veggie lovers everywhere for its ability to step in for many other ingredients in favorite recipes. Fresh zucchini can be used as a homemade pizza base, a sandwich bun, or, as zucchini noodles, a.k.a. zoodles. Like traditional pasta, these easy-to-cook strands of deliciousness can stand up to rich sauces, bakes, and toppings galore. But unlike pasta, they pack in a hearty serving of nutrients rather than a bunch of carbohydrates, sugar and refined additives.
These naturally gluten-free noodles clock in at just about 20 calories per cup, making them a great choice for pasta lovers who are looking to cut calories. Each cup also packs in dietary fiber, as well as potassium and vitamin C, helping a plate of these noodles feel so satisfying. And since they're water-packed, zoodles can also be a refreshing addition to a lunchtime salad, or even a zucchini-based soup on a cold winter's eve.
While you can easily pick up pre-spiralized zucchini noodles from the supermarket, they're best made fresh at home, with the help of a trusty spiralizer. Our Kitchen Appliances Lab's favorite spiralizers make easy work of creating zingy strands of zoodles or thin, luxe ribbons of shaved zucchini that function more like lasagna than anything else. But however you prepare them, digging into a delicious zoodle recipe has never been easier.
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Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles
An updated take on a classic pasta salad, this plate of toothy noodles contains a mere 85 calories per serving (feel free to heap on the seconds!). It's ready in under 20 minutes flat, and requires zero stove time.
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Keto Pesto Zucchini Noodles
Hello, keto dieters! This is the faux pasta option you've been searching for. The best part? You can freely pile on the shredded parmesan.
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- 4/36
Creamy Spaghetti and Zoodles
If you have a bonafide hankering for pasta, that's okay! You can cut the carb-heavy noodles with a handful of fresh zoodles, and marvel at how much better dinner tastes.
Get the recipe for Creamy Spaghetti and Zoodles »
RELATED: 30 Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Keep You Full All Night
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Zucchini "Pasta" Caprese
The most refreshing plate of noodles you'll have this season, this Caprese calls for the zucchini to be softened in a hot pan — but served immediately to those at your dinner table.
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Zucchini Lasagna
Ditching the beef doesn't mean this meal lacks any flavor; you'll layer regular lasagna noodles with zoodle variations to lighten this classic comfort dish.
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- 7/36
Seared Tilapia With Spiralized Zucchini
Charring your zucchini noodles in the oven adds an extra oomph (crunch!) that you'll enjoy. Paired with flaky tilapia, it's a weeknight dinner you'll want to add to your regular routine.
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Spring Vegetable Primavera
Shaved parmesan cheese ties everything together in Dishing Out Health's updated version of this seasonal delight. Jamie Vespa, MS, RD, drafted the recipe to be perfected in just 15 minutes.
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Turkey Meatballs Over Zucchini Noodles
Lighten up classic meatballs and spaghetti with ground turkey and simply dressed zoodles.
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- 10/36
Spinach Parmesan Zucchini Noodles
Perfect for weeknight dinners, plus the recipe only requires five ingredients!
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Zoodle Egg Nests
So simple, and such a delicious way to incorporate leftover zoodles into a hearty breakfast the next morning! You can add more toppings as you wish.
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Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles
These garlic-parmesan zoodles fold in a bunch of fresh veggies, but the dish only takes 20 minutes to prepare.
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- 13/36
Zoodle Ramen
Rich, umami bone broth is made even better with fresh zoodles in place of ramen. You'll enjoy tender mushrooms, zesty ginger, and the salty zing of a soy sauce base.
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Cilantro Lime Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
This one is giving us serious summery al fresco vibes. Since shrimp cooks up perfectly in just a few minutes, this gorgeous plate is ready in just 20 minutes overall.
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Zoodle Alfredo With Bacon
Just as creamy and cheesy as the original, you'll love how the crispy bits of bacon cut through soft noodles in this Alfredo.
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- 16/36
Tuna Green Chile Zoodle Casserole
Zucchini ribbons make this the most photogenic tuna noodle casserole of all time.
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Instant Pot Balsamic Chicken
A balsamic vinegar reduction makes for a velvety sauce that dresses up this bed of zucchini noodles and chicken in less than 30 minutes.
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Vegan Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodles
Put avocado in your pesto for a yummy (and vegan!) twist on the traditional sauce.
Get the recipe from Yup.. It's Vegan »
RELATED: 35 Easy Vegan Pasta Dishes to Make for Dinner Tonight
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- 19/36
Shrimp Scampi With Zoodles
Another Italian classic reimagined, the zucchini linguine in this scampi blends into the pan sauce perfectly. You can play with the pasta to zucchini ratio — or leave pasta out entirely!
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Stir-Fried Zoodles and Vegetables With Tofu
Air fried zoodles?! Yes, really — it makes noodles crispier, as well as crisping up your tofu in a flash.
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One Pot Kung Pao Chicken Zoodles
So light and healthy you can eat three bowls (if you can handle the heat).
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- 22/36
Burrito Zoodles
Zucchini stands up well to spices and sauteed veggies just as well as corn chips or tortillas.
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Peanut Chicken Zucchini Noodles
Zoodles love sauce, especially of the peanut variety. While it pairs beautifully with chicken, you can swap tofu in just as perfectly (or even double down on another fresh veg!).
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Cheesy Taco Zucchini Noodle Skillet
We never thought we'd ditch the tortillas on Taco Tuesday ... until now.
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- 25/36
French Onion Zoodle Bake
Send help because we're about to leap into this bowl of cheesy goodness. It's all the flavors of your favorite crock of soup melded into a perfect bowl of noodles.
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Spicy Sesame Zoodles with Crispy Tofu
Do you like flavors and textures and spice? Put this in your weeknight rotation STAT.
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Chicken Zoodle Soup
Chicken zoodle soup for the soul, anyone? This take on a winter classic also incorporates fresh lemon juice for an even lighter bite.
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- 28/36
One Pan Skillet Lasagna Zoodles
A great option for paleo or Whole30 dieters, this rustic take on a zucchini lasagna can be made in a single pan on your stovetop. It'll fit into your diet thanks to ground turkey and better-for-you ricotta cheese.
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Tahini Zucchini Noodles
You'll love how beautifully the bite of taut zucchini noodles pairs with soft, creamy tofu. And the vegan tahini sauce will have you licking the bowl clean!
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Vegan Zoodle Fresh Rolls with Mango Tahini Sauce
For when you gotta get your zoodles to go.
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- 31/36
Chicken Parmesan with Zoodles
Here's some cheesy, saucy, crispy deliciousness you can feel good about.
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Green Goddess Zucchini Pasta
These thicker ringlets of zucchini are extremely satisfying when they're dressed in savory green goddess dressing. The dressing comes together with just 5 ingredients!
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Sticky Garlic Noodles
A noodle bowl in 15 minutes? You better believe it — this quick zesty sauce is even part of that time frame.
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- 34/36
Zucchini Pad Thai Noodles
This dish will convert all your zoodle nonbeliever friends, and it might even convince you to get off the takeout train for good!
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Zoodle Pasta Pie
Zoodles + egg + cheese = zoodle pie! You'll bake everything to perfection in a hot oven.
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Basil Chicken Curry Zucchini Noodle Bowls
The Thai coconut curry broth is the star here.
Get ready to be inspiralized! 🍝