15 Zucchini Noodle Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook zoodles so they're not soggy? ›

If you cook noodles too long in the skillet and they're already looking limp and soggy, they're going to be even soggier topped with sauce on your plate. To avoid soggy and limp noodles, I recommend cooking for only 3-5 minutes (5 if you're cooking more than 1-2 spiralized zucchinis) and tossing frequently.

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.

Benefits of Eating Zucchini Noodles

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.

If you cook zucchini until it releases its moisture and keep cooking until that moisture evaporates, you're left with buttery-soft pulp, which can add creaminess and sweet vegetal flavor when stirred into pasta or rice dishes, like this Skillet Chicken, Zucchini, and Cheesy Rice.

The secret to zucchini with the best flavor and texture is roasting it in a 450°F oven. Roasting zucchini at a high temperature instead of baking or sautéing helps develop browning and a slight char on the outside, which keeps it from getting soggy.

A look into essential Vitamins & Minerals, shows that Zucchini Pasta outdoes Spaghetti Squash on every one, except for Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Selenium. Information found from SELF's Nutrition Data calculator.

ZOODLES PRIMAVERA

Zucchini noodles tossed in a light basil cream sauce with broccoli, carrots, seasoned tomatoes, roasted red peppers and mushrooms.

More About Zucchini Pasta

I have a few suggestions for how to make zucchini noodles without a spiralizer below. While zucchini noodles do not taste exactly like pasta noodles, if you cook them properly (meaning until they are al dente, not mushy), they are surprisingly satisfying.

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.

Are zoodles worth it? ›

Zoodles or zucchini noodles have become a popular pasta substitute for those looking to reduce carbohydrates or calories, but the real benefit is the fun way to increase vegetables in your diet.

Place the noodles on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. “Sweat” the noodles in the oven for 30 minutes until the paper towels have absorbed most of the moisture that the zucchini let. Wrap the paper towels over the noodles and give them a good squeeze to extract any remaining liquid.

While the grater does create 2- to 3-inch strands of zucchini, the noodles—or zoodles, as some call them—were thinner than angel hair pasta, limp, and damp. Basically, far from appetizing, and nowhere near the real thing.

If you've got the time, try salting and draining your zucchini. This method involves liberally salting your sliced zucchini and allowing it to set in a colander (over a bowl) for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour, before patting dry with paper towels or a tea towel.

After you've spiralized or turned your zucchini into ribbons, sprinkle them with a bit of salt and let them sit in a colander for at least 10 minutes. This will help get rid of some of the excess moisture. To cook them, saute them in 1 teaspoon of olive oil for a 2-3 minutes over medium heat.