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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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5

Veggie Rolls

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

Get the Veggie Rolls recipe.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Is pasta noodles or zoodles healthier? ›

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.

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

You don't boil them that would make them soggy. To co*k zucchini noodles you toss them in a frying pan, with a little butter, oil or cooking spray, just long enough to heat. Add your sauce and it's done.

What are 3 advantages of having zucchini noodles over regular 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.

How do you keep zoodles 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.

Which pasta noodle is the healthiest? ›

Whole Wheat Noodles

Whole-wheat pasta is easy to find and bumps up your pasta-night nutrition. Compared to noodles made from white flour, it contains more fiber. Most older people don't eat enough fiber, which is good for our digestion and heart health — and it keeps us feeling full for longer.

What are the most healthiest noodles to eat? ›

6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian
  • Whole-Wheat Pasta.
  • Chickpea Pasta.
  • Veggie Noodles.
  • Red Lentil Pasta.
  • Soba Noodles.
  • White Pasta.
Jul 13, 2023

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.

Are zoodles soft or crunchy? ›

The zoodles will still mostly be crunchy, and it's an easy way to prepare pasta without the worry of overcooking them.

What can I add to pasta to make it healthier? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

Which is healthier spaghetti squash or zucchini? ›

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.

What can I add to noodles to make them healthier? ›

You can add anything you have in your kitchen. My favourites are carrots, capsic*ms, baby corn, spinach, mushrooms, pumpkin, broccoli, sweet potato, kale, zucchini

Why are my zoodles bitter? ›

Remove the Seeds: The seeds and surrounding flesh can sometimes contribute to bitterness. You can scoop out the seeds before cooking. Salt and Drain: Sprinkle salt on sliced zucchini and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture and bitterness.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

This, the outlet asserts, is due to zucchini's high water content: If it cooks too slowly, it will release its moisture before it sears, becoming soggy and sodden. Over high heat, on the other hand, zucchini becomes caramelized on the outside but retains a meaty, firm texture within.

Do you boil zoodles? ›

Don't! We like our regular pasta with a nice al dente bite, and the same goes for cooking zoodles! If you serve a warm sauce over the noodles, it will gently heat them through, so no actual cooking is necessary.

Are zoodles unhealthy? ›

Although like any vegetable, cooking zucchini noodles does strip the squash of some of its nutrients, they still make a great low-carb, low-calorie food that tastes great any way you serve it. I do recommend salting and draining your zucchini noodles on a paper towel or over a colander before cooking them.

What is healthier spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles? ›

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.

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 pasta noodles healthy for weight loss? ›

Dietitians and other health care professionals should consider pasta as a low-glycemic carbohydrate option within the context of a healthy diet or a weight loss/weight maintenance diet.

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