If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (2024)

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (1)

If you have lots of zucchini on hand from your summer garden, you're probably looking for creative zucchini recipes to use it up. It's a perfect summer vegetable, easy to throw on the grill or roast in the oven to go with all your summer dinners. But that's not all it can do: it famously makes for a delicious noodle substitute. Luckily, we've rounded up dozens of the best zucchini noodle recipes for you to try now.

Some of these recipes call for both zucchini and pasta, but of course you can omit the pasta altogether if you're looking to make the meal gluten-free. These veggie-forward dishes are low-carb and low-calorie recipes, making them a healthy dinner choice that's still big on satisfaction. Before you get started, we'd recommend grabbing a spiralizer if you don't already own one. It'll make it much easier to get these zoodle dishes on the table.

No matter your preferred pasta dish — whether it's spaghetti, lasagna, linguine, or something else — there's sure to be a zoodle dish here that everyone will love. Here are the best zucchini noodle recipes to add to your weeknight meal rotation.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

1

Creamy Chicken and Zoodle Spaghetti

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (3)

Who says zoodles can't be decadent? Combine them with spaghetti, a creamy, lemony sauce and chicken for a dinner that feels rich without being too heavy.

Get the Creamy Chicken and Zoodle Spaghetti recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

2

Grilled Vegetable Lasagna with Ricotta-Tomato Sauce

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (4)

This hearty meatless lasagna makes the most of zucchini and eggplant, sliced into slabs so it can be layered with lasagna noodles.

Get the Grilled Vegetable Lasagna With Ricotta-Tomato Sauce recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

3

Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (5)

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.

Get the Asian Sesame Zucchini Noodles recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Creamy Spaghetti and Zoodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (6)

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 Creamy Spaghetti and Zoodles recipe.

RELATED: 30 Healthy Pasta Recipes That Will Keep You Full All Night

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

5

Veggie Rolls

Use zucchini ribbons to make these sushi-inspired veggie rolls, perfect for summer snacking.

Get the Veggie Rolls recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

6

Keto Pesto Zucchini Noodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (8)

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.

Get the Keto Pesto Zucchini Noodles recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Zucchini "Pasta" Caprese

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (9)

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.

Get the Zucchini "Pasta" Caprese recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

8

Pesto Zoodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (10)

Zucchini noodles get dressed up with a flavorful homemade pesto and sunny-side up eggs in this easy low-carb dish.

Get the Pesto Zoodles recipe from Delish.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

9

Garlic Butter Meatballs & Zoodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (11)

Veggie-based zoodles are topped with garlicky, buttery chicken meatballs in this dish that's perfect for summer.

Get the Garlic Butter Meatballs & Zoodles recipe from Delish.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (12)

Who said stir fry couldn't be low carb? Top this bowl off with shrimp and scallions and you have yourself a delicious meal.

Get the Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry with Zucchini Noodles recipe from Pioneer Woman.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

11

Marinated Summer Squash Salad

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (13)

Pair marinated zucchini with quinoa for a refreshing and filling salad option.

Get the Marinated Summer Squash Salad recipe from Woman's Day.

RELATED: 40 Easy Summer Salads That Pack in the Best Seasonal Flavors

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

12

Spiralized Zucchini and Carrot Salad

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (14)

Zucchini and carrots work together in this Asian-flavored salad with peanuts for an added crunch!

Get the Spiralized Zucchini and Carrot Salad recipe from Woman's Day.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Shrimp Scampi with Zoodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (15)

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!

Get the Shrimp Scampi With Zoodles recipe from Woman's Day.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

14

Roasted Shrimp Scampi

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (16)

Zoodles and shrimp are tossed with garlic, chile and scallions in this one-pan dinner perfect for weeknights.

Get the Roasted Shrimp Scampi recipe from Redbook.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

15

Grilled Chicken with Zucchini Noodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (17)

This easy, low-carb dinner is sure to become a weeknight staple.

Get the Grilled Chicken With Zucchini Noodles recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

RELATED: 30 Grilled Chicken Recipes to Eat All Summer Long

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Seared Tilapia with Spiralized Zucchini

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (18)

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.

Get the Seared Tilapia With Spiralized Zucchini recipe from Woman's Day.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

17

Turkey Meatballs Over Zucchini Noodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (19)

Lighten up classic meatballs and spaghetti with ground turkey and simply dressed zoodles.

Get the Turkey Meatballs Over Zucchini Noodles recipe from Country Living.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

18

Zoodle Ramen

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (20)

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.

Get the Zoodle Ramen recipe from Delish.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Zoodle Alfredo with Bacon

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (21)

Just as creamy and cheesy as the original, you'll love how the crispy bits of bacon cut through soft noodles in this Alfredo.

Get the Zoodle Alfredo With Bacon recipe from Delish.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

20

Burrito Zoodles

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (22)

Zucchini stands up well to spices and sauteed veggies just as well as corn chips or tortillas.

Get the Burrito Zoodles recipe from Delish.

If You're Trying to Eat Healthier, Look No Further Than These Zoodle Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are zoodles healthier than pasta? ›

Zucchini is low in fat, sugar, and calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber, making it a great substitute for traditional pasta noodles. Fiber helps to regulate bowels and maintain good digestive health, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to protect cells.

Are zoodles good for weight loss? ›

If you are trying to eat low-carb, that is a huge difference! More fiber: Zucchini contains more grams of fiber per serving than regular pasta, which helps your digestive function, aids in weight loss, helps control blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and more.

Which has more carbs spaghetti squash or zucchini? ›

From the above comparison, you can tell that: Zucchini Pasta is lower in carbohydrates (3.361 g), in sodium (9 mg), in sugars (0.581 g), in total fat (0.084 g) and in calories (10 cals). Zucchini Pasta has more protein (1.371 g), more potassium (333 mg) and more dietary fiber (0.013 g).

How do you keep zucchini noodles from getting watery? ›

Salt and wrap your zoodles.

Post-spiralizing the zucchini, lightly salt your zoods with kosher salt and wrap them in paper towels. Let them sit for about 10–15 minutes — just enough time for the salt to extract the moisture.

What is the healthiest pasta for weight loss? ›

In fact, whole wheat or whole grain pasta is the best option for weight loss as whole wheat pasta takes longer to digest than pasta made from refined flour. Slower digestion means blood sugar will rise slowly after consumption, preventing your body from storing excess fat.

What is the healthiest pasta to order? ›

Whole Wheat or Whole Grain Pasta: Opt for whole wheat or whole grain pasta instead of refined white pasta. Whole wheat and whole grain varieties are higher in fiber, which can help promote feelings of fullness and regulate blood sugar levels.

Are zucchini noodles high in carbs? ›

Zucchini Noodles (1 cup, sliced) contains 3.5g total carbs, 2.4g net carbs, 0.4g fat, 1.4g protein, and 19 calories.

Do zucchini noodles have a lot of carbs? ›

Compare two cups of pasta weighing in at 480 calories, 90 grams of carbs, and two grams of fiber with two cups of zucchini zoodles at 66 calories, twelve grams of carbs, and four grams of fiber. Seems like a no-brainer, right? It is if you're using the right ingredients and the right sauce.

Are zucchini noodles high in calories? ›

Zoodles are strands of zucchini that are made into the shape of noodles. They're very low in calories, low in carbs, gluten-free, easy to use in many recipes to replace regular noodles and quick to make. Benefits of zoodles include providing vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, potassium and antioxidants.

Is spaghetti squash healthier than spaghetti? ›

Overall, if you're trying to reduce calories or carbs, spaghetti squash is the better choice. And it's richer in many nutrients, too, like B vitamins and vitamin C. Spaghetti squash is a nutritious, low carb alternative to pasta. It's also much lower in calories than pasta.

Is spaghetti squash better for you than noodles? ›

Spaghetti contains on average about 200 calories and 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving (2 ounces). However, spaghetti squash contains only 70 calories and around 17 carbohydrates per serving. A serving of spaghetti squash is about 4 ounces, and one spaghetti squash serves four people.

Can you eat spaghetti squash on a diet? ›

Weight Management

Spaghetti squash is a low-calorie food. Its fiber content makes it filling. Since people use it as a substitute for high-calorie foods, it can be a valuable part of a weight-control regimen.

How do you cook zucchini so they are not soggy? ›

Thick slices

Especially when roasting, zucchini should be sliced into thick, ½ inch slices to ensure they don't get soggy in the oven. If your oven roasted zucchini is consistently turning out soggy, try slicing it a little thicker next time.

Are you supposed to boil zucchini noodles? ›

Never boil your spiralized zucchini noodles!

But boiling noodles for other dishes, like sauces or salads will guarantee that they come out soggy and watery.

Should you salt zoodles before cooking? ›

Add zucchini noodles. Toss with tongs and let the zucchini cook for just a minute or two. Remove from heat and add to sauce or add some salt and eat as is. Note: Don't salt the zucchini before you saute it; the noodles will release more water and they'll end up limp.

How healthy are zoodles? ›

In comparison, one cup of zoodles contains around 20 calories and 3.7 grams of carbohydrate. Zoodles are a fun and fresh way to have “pasta” without the additional calories. Even though it is low in calories, zucchini packs a nutritional punch.

Are zoodles high in carbs? ›

Compare two cups of pasta weighing in at 480 calories, 90 grams of carbs, and two grams of fiber with two cups of zucchini zoodles at 66 calories, twelve grams of carbs, and four grams of fiber. Seems like a no-brainer, right? It is if you're using the right ingredients and the right sauce.

Are egg noodles better than pasta for weight loss? ›

Egg noodles' nutritional content is similar to that of regular pasta but slightly lower in calories, carbs, and protein ( 1 , 2 ). They're also often enriched, meaning that certain vitamins and minerals have been added, increasing their nutritional value.

Is zucchini noodles high in carbs? ›

Zucchini Noodles (1 cup, sliced) contains 3.5g total carbs, 2.4g net carbs, 0.4g fat, 1.4g protein, and 19 calories.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Last Updated:

Views: 6294

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Amb. Frankie Simonis

Birthday: 1998-02-19

Address: 64841 Delmar Isle, North Wiley, OR 74073

Phone: +17844167847676

Job: Forward IT Agent

Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance

Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.