Zucchini Noodles with Parmesan
Today I’m featuring a riff on my sister’s Zucchini Ribbons by spiralizing my summer squash and serving up these Zucchini Noodles with Parmesan!
Zoodles (AKA Zucchini Noodles) make an outstanding gluten-free, low-carb substitute for classic spaghetti noodles. Sauteing them in butter, olive oil, and garlic infuses delicious flavor plus adding some herbs make them a delicious side dish.
Why You Must Make
- If you own a spiralizer, julienne peeler, mandoline, or food processor with the spiralizer attachments.
- I have to admit I purchased a spiralizer over a year ago. It still sits unopened in my pantry gathering dust. When OXO offered to send me their (affiliate link) Hand-Held Spiralizer, I jumped at the chance.A compact version that I could store in a drawer seemed like it would get much more action (it couldn’t get any less!!!).
- Zoodles, a relatively new term combining the words zucchini and noodles, have hit the foodie world by storm. Cutting zucchini into noodles is a healthy, low-carb alternative to pasta and folks have been topping them with myriad sauces and utilizing them in salads and more.
Ingredient Notes
- Kitchen Staples – Butter, Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Minced Garlic
- Summer Squash – I used both zucchini and yellow summer squash. No need to peel. Straighter squash is easier to spiralize.
- Lemon Juice – Squeeze half a lemon. The quality of freshly squeezed juice is better quality than what’s on the grocery shelves.
- Cherry Tomatoes, halved or Diced Red Bell Pepper – Add nice color and flavor to the dish.
- Fresh Herbs – Add thyme leaves or thin strips of basil for a boost of freshness.
- Parmesan Cheese – Use real Parmesano Reggiano, not the green can. Adds umami, the savory sense of taste.
Recipe Tips
- To make your zoodles, cut off the ends of the squash, leaving on the peel for color, then insert a cut end into the coring blade and twist to start the process.
- After you spiralize, pat the veggies dry so they don’t steam when you saute them.
- Cut some of the longer strands to make them a more manageable length for eating.
- Use a non-stick frying pan and within minutes this side dish is ready to roll.
- Use both zucchini and yellow summer squash for a nice variation in color. Remember, we eat with our eyes first.
- In no time at all, you’ll have bowlful of spiralized zucchini and summer squash ready to saute.
How to Make
These Zucchini Noodles AKA Zoodles were a snap to make! Cut the ends off the squash, insert the cut end into the coring blade, then twist to start the process. In no time, you’ll have a bowlful of spiralized zucchini and summer squash ready to saute. Here is a bit more info plus a few tips, courtesy of OXO:
- The spiralizer creates uniform, curly noodles from zucchini, cucumbers, and other long vegetables.
- The open-blade design also accommodates round vegetables like regular or sweet potatoes.
- The food holder keeps hands safe and acts as a cap for safe storage.
- The handle on the food holder is easy to hold and turn down to the end of the vegetables.
- Non-slip grip for comfortable spiralizing.
- Great for making curly fries, frittatas, desserts and more.
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
- Perfect for low-carb, diabetic, or gluten-free diets.
- Creates fun garnishes for salads or meal toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zoodles are “noodles” made from zucchini. They can be used as a replacement for traditional spaghetti noodles since the shape and texture are similar once they’re cooked.
Yes, zoodles have more fiber, lower carbohydrates and calories, than traditional pasta. They are also a source of Vitamins A and C, plus a few minerals and antioxidants.
You May Also Like
- Homemade Pasta Sauce – Serve over zoodles.
- Chocolate Zucchini Bundt Cake
- Cinnamon Zucchini Muffins
- Pineapple Coconut Zucchini Bread
- Plus, all my Best Healthy Recipes
Zucchini Noodles with Parmesan
A healthy, delicious way to enjoy summer squash!
Ingredients
- 2-3 medium summer squash (zucchini and yellow summer squash), straighter is easier to spiralize
- 1 tablespoon each butter & olive oil
- 1 large clove of garlic, minced
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Cherry tomatoes, halved or diced red bell pepper, optional
- A generous pinch or two of kosher salt
- Fresh thyme leaves or thin strips of fresh basil
- Shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Using your Hand-held Spiralizer make squash "noodles," cutting long pieces in halves or thirds as needed.
- In a large saute pan melt the butter, add the olive oil and garlic. Saute briefly to infuse the garlic flavor.
- Add the squash noodles, tomatoes or red bell pepper if using, and turn to coat with the butter and oil, and gently cook until heated through - just a few minutes.
- Squeeze the lemon on top and sprinkle with salt. Toss with Parmesan, fresh herbs and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 211Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 204mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 6gSugar: 21gProtein: 4g
Disclosure: OXO provided me this product to review. I was not paid or compensated to write this post. All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of OXO.
28 Comments on “Zucchini Noodles with Parmesan”
i totally need to hop on this zoodles bandwagon! This looks delish!
What a great dish!! For me it’s a whole meal, and I happen to love zucchini 🙂
I don’t cook, but I think I’ll ask my housekeeper to make it
Very cool, Liz. 🙂
This is a handy little device and your dish is so vibrant! Bet it tastes just as good as it looks.
This sounds like a great spiralizer. I have a handheld one that I am not terribly crazy about because it can’t handle large garden grown zucchini. This looks like it should be able to handle most anything my garden can throw at it!
I’ve been seeing so many spiralizer recipes I think I’m just going to have to go buy one soon! I’m so inspired and these Zucchini Noodles look SO good!
I love making zoodles. Yours look perfect with the OXO spiralizer! This is the perfect healthy and flavorful dish!
Like your technique of giving them a quick saute. I haven’t been wild about the idea of raw zoodles that I’m seeing in lots of recipes. And talk about pretty! Well done, Liz!
This is summer in a bowl and the spirals are so fun!
I’m embarrassed to admit I haven’t spiralized anything yet, it all looks so healthy and delicious, I need to get on board!
I becoming embarrassed that I have yet to try this…you REALLY make me want to eat zucchini!
I have yet to try eating or making zoodles, but I’m trying to cut way down on carbs. I need to get on the spiralizer bandwagon! This one looks really easy to use, and my tiny kitchen definitely needs tools to be on the small side. I think I’ll pick one up! Thanks, Liz 🙂
Delicious looking dish. Sounds like the OXO’s Hand-Held Spiralizer is a handy tool.
Lizzy,
I’ve never made zucchini noodles. They look delicious.
I’ve also purchased kitchen gadgets with good intent before and done the same thing you’ve done.
Annamaria
How funny, my sister turned up to take me out for breakfast this morning and the conversation turned to zoodles and spiralizers. My feeling was that it might be one of those gadgets that seems like a great idea but ends up in the back of the cupboard after a few enthusiastic uses. As you say, a hand-held spiralizer you can fling in a drawer will probably get more use. Will be trying this recipe, Liz, and passing it on to my super-healthy sister too.
I think this is a meal my personal trainer would approve of. I’m quite sure I’m also guilty of having a few gadgets at the back of my pantry that are still in boxes. I don’t have a spiriliser as yet but I do like the look of the hand-held gadget xx
My yellow and green zucchini are just starting to grow in my garden – can’t wait to make this!
I never spiralized any vegetable, and never saw one of those gadgets anywhere here, but the word zoodles has me laughing! And with parmesan, what doesn’t get better right?
Look wonderful Lizzy! I need this cool gadget :)))
I’m behind on the zoodle wagon, but i’m going to try them before summer is over! These look tasty and fun!
That’s a really cool kitchen gadget, isn’t that? The zoodle looks very delicious.
Have a great weekend!
Angie
I love love zucchini noodles. They are almost all I eat anymore haha
YES! I love it! I love zucchini noodles! It’s so so awesome! Thanks so much for this!
I just got a spiralizer recipe book but no gadget. I made such a dish once and it was delicious plus great for no turning on the stove too much during a heat wave. May have to get it. Shared on my blog’s fb page!
This is so colourful, I’ve tried courgette raw before and really like the taste so as spaghetti I bet it would be good too.
I love OXO spiralizer and have to admit..it’s the best spiralizer compared to two I purchased. So easy to use and makes kitchen prep so easy. Now that i’m so into spiralizing, I can’t wait to try this zoodles with parmesan. Yum!
Lucky you! I’d love one of these, we just use our mandolin with the narrow blades. We use zoodles under everything that needs pasta, just love them. I nuke mine with a little water to steam, but I love the recipe you’ve created, so much flavour. I know what’s on my shopping list, oxo’s spiralizer!
I really want one of these cutters, they’ve been on my mind for a while. Perhaps I’ll make sure I have one safely tucked away before next year’s zucchini onslaught:@)