35 Best Zoodle Recipes (AKA Zucchini Noodles)
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These quick and easy zoodle recipes are a great way to incorporate more summer squash into your diet. From fresh salads to healthy takes on Italian classics, these delicious recipes won’t make you miss carbs one bit!
I’m not usually one to jump on foodie fads.
But my mind changed when I bought a spiralizer and tried my first zoodle recipe!
To save you from searching for genuinely tasty recipes to cook this summer, I’ve rounded up my favorite spiralizer dishes that you can try right now.
Whether you’re craving a lighter take on ramen or need a new side dish for fish night, I’ve got you covered!
Plus, all of these recipes use simple and wholesome ingredients that’ll make you feel amazing.
Now let’s get cooking!
35 Best Zoodle Recipes
Pesto Zoodle Salad
This pesto zoodle salad is packed with nutritious ingredients and is on the table in 25 minutes flat!
It combines fresh mozzarella with tender chicken, crunchy pine nuts, and a wonderful homemade pesto that gives the whole dish a herby aroma.
Throw in the juicy cherry tomatoes and you’re really cooking.
Coconut Curry Zoodle Ramen
Are you looking for a flavorful dish that combines simple ingredients with fiery spices?
Well, you’ll love this ramen-inspired recipe.
The base is made with ultra-rich coconut milk and a glorious yellow curry powder that perfectly coats the spiralized zoodles.
Throw in cabbage, spring onions, and red pepper for crunch and you’ll have the ultimate easy dinner recipe on your hands!
Raw Vegan Pad Thai
I often make this raw vegan Pad Thai, and I’m still not tired of it.
This dish combines fresh zucchini with spiralized carrots, red cabbage, and bell peppers for color and crunch.
But it’s the bright taste of the cilantro and the indulgent peanut butter dressing that keeps me coming back for more.
It’s a foolproof recipe that’s perfect for beginners!
Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles
When I’m craving a low-carb alternative to Italian dishes loaded with parmesan cheese, I’ll whip out this zucchini pasta recipe.
The zoodles always come out perfectly al dente. Plus, the minimal list of ingredients keeps things simple without sacrificing flavor.
Top it with your favorite homemade pasta sauce or enjoy the dish as-is with a sprinkle of chili flakes for heat!
Just glorious!
Thai Zoodle Salad
A crunchy and colorful cold salad that’s ready in minutes and packed with nutritious ingredients? Sign me up!
The crunchy veggies add tons of texture to this recipe, while the poached chicken and crushed peanuts give the dish a major protein punch!
Oh, and don’t forget the smooth peanut sauce that’s loaded with healthy fats.
Seriously, this recipe has it all!
Garlic Shrimp Zoodles
If you want to incorporate more veggies into your diet without losing pasta night, these garlic shrimp zoodles are perfect.
A vegetable peeler or mandoline slicer should make quick work of the zoodles, letting you get this recipe prepped and cooked in just 15 minutes.
Plus, the tender shrimp are beautifully seasoned with lemon and garlic. So, the entire dish tastes incredibly well-balanced!
Chicken Zoodle Soup
There’s no need to let the winter sniffles get the best of you with this chicken zoodle soup!
It has everything you love about a traditional chicken soup, but it contains way fewer calories and tons of delicious veggies.
And don’t forget the vitamin and antioxidant hit you get from the carrots, celery, lemon juice, and garlic cloves!
With this healthy meal, you’ll beat any cold in no time.
Garlic Butter Chicken
This garlic butter chicken comes together in just 25 minutes and stores well for up to 4 days if you’re a meal prep mogul!
Trust me when I say that the indulgent sauce works beautifully with the spiralized zucchini (which is a wonderful alternative to traditional pasta, BTW!).
Squeeze some lemon juice on your noodles and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and parmesan for the perfect weeknight meal.
Kung Pao Zoodles
You’ll forget all about Chinese takeout once you’ve tasted these Kung Pao zoodles.
Not only is it ready to rumble in just 15 minutes, but it’s packed with lean protein and gets a delightful crunch from the peanuts.
Throw in the soy sauce and sesame-based sauce that’s just the right amount of sweet and salty, and you’ll be in heaven!
Singapore Zoodle Stir Fry with Chicken
Take a trip straight to the Lion City’s famous hawker centers with this incredible Singapore zoodle recipe.
It includes chicken and shrimp for a serious hit of protein and is smothered with an amazing soy and wine-based sauce.
Trust me when I say that swapping out carb-heavy vermicelli noodles for zoodles will feel easy when the result is this delicious
Basil Alfredo Zoodles
These basil alfredo zoodles are the easiest way to work more veggies into your diet during the summertime.
The fresh burst of flavor from the cherry tomatoes is incredible when the heat soars.
And the crunchy pine nuts, basil, and creamy pesto? They blend with the butter beans and soaked cashews to create an indulgent plant-based sauce.
It’s so good, that you’ll struggle to stop at one portion!
Healthy Shrimp Scampi
This healthy shrimp scampi is one of my all-time favorite light dinner recipes that always gets rave reviews.
The hearty shrimp are full of protein and pair perfectly with the al dente zoodles and indulgent garlic butter sauce.
I love sprinkling parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes onto this dish for a hint of nuttiness and heat.
But the sky’s totally the limit when it comes to toppings!
Skillet Bruschetta Chicken Dinner
You won’t believe how easy this high-protein chicken dinner is to whip up.
Everything’s made in a single pan for easy clean-up (always a win!), and it’s loaded with fresh summertime flavors that everyone adores.
Fresh basil and tomatoes? Check. Marinated chicken? Yup. An indulgent Italian dressing? You bet!
Serve it alone, or mop things up with a hunk of crusty bread.
Zucchini Noodles with Asparagus Peas and Basil Vinaigrette
This mean and green recipe combines peas, asparagus, zoodles, and a basil vinaigrette for a light and refreshing meal.
You can eat it hot for a comforting dinner or eat it straight out of the fridge as a leftover vegan lunch.
Talk about nailing your 5-a-day with a super simple recipe!
Sweet Spicy Chicken Zoodles
This 15-minute marvel is an ideal pick for those nights when you just can’t be bothered to cook.
You can use your vegetable spiralizer to create perfect zoodles before topping them with chicken and a squeeze of lime juice.
It might sound simple, but the garlic, sriracha sauce, and hoisin sauce take the base ingredients to new heights!
Southwestern Zucchini Noodle Bowls
These Southwestern zucchini noodle bowls are packed with incredible Tex-Mex flavors that’ll make Taco Tuesdays a thing of the past.
You get plenty of high-quality protein from the black beans. Plus, the avocado, tomatoes, and charred corn add tons of texture!
Oh, and don’t forget the cilantro vinaigrette which gives the entire bowl a herby zing!
Pan-Seared Halibut with Lemony Zucchini Noodles
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate more fish into my weekly meal plan, and this halibut recipe is delightful.
It combines sweet tomatoes with zesty lemon zoodles and a generous amount of garlic and black pepper for a flavorful (but light!) dinner.
And I promise - the flaky texture of the healthy white fish will take your breath away!
Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Avocado Pesto
This is one of my go-to healthy zoodle recipes when I’m craving a huge bowl of creamy pasta but don’t want a carb hangover!
You just pop the ingredients (minus the zoodles!) into a food processor and you’re left with a perfectly creamy avocado-based sauce.
Feel free to toss in a protein source or a few roasted chickpeas for crunch.
But these noodles taste just as good flying solo!
Rainbow Zucchini Noodle Bowl with Crispy Tofu
This colorful zucchini noodle bowl is what tasting the rainbow is all about.
You get a glorious crunch from the green onions, carrots, red cabbage, snow peas, and bell peppers.
But it’s the protein-packed tofu and spicy peanut dressing that add so much flavor.
Mediterranean Zucchini Pasta Salad
When I want a break from Mediterranean quinoa or refreshing spring salads, I’ll pull out these awesome veggie noodles!
The pops of color from the tomatoes and fresh zucchini are super appealing, and I adore the meaty texture of the kalamata olives.
Finish things off with salty feta and chickpeas for a well-balanced lunch that’s perfect for summertime!
Paleo Tuna and Green Chili Zoodle Casserole
Forget pasta bakes – this paleo-friendly tuna zucchini casserole is a new (and delicious!) kid on the block.
Canned tuna is loaded with omega-3s which is always a plus.
And you can easily add late-summer veggies like spring onions and radishes to brighten things up!
Garlic Butter Meatballs with Lemon Zucchini Noodles
There’s something seriously comforting about this high-protein and vitamin-rich dish.
The cheesy turkey and pork meatballs melt in your mouth, and the zesty zucchini blows traditional pasta out of the water.
And don’t forget the subtle heat you get from the sriracha and chili pepper flakes (it’s amazing!)
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto Tempeh
If thinking about tempeh, pesto, and fresh vegetables makes you salivate, then you'll love these zoodles.
The sauce is made with creamy avocado and tasty basil pesto, and the noodles are topped with sweet and smoky tempeh cubes!
Not only is it completely delicious, but you can easily customize the base recipe with vegan cheese, extra herbs, or crunchy veggies.
Sesame Zoodles
Can you believe it?
By using a veggie spiralizer and crispy tofu you can create a simple meal that’s bursting with fresh flavors!
And the soy sauce, sesame oil, and peanut butter? They add so much depth to the sauce (that the whole family will adore!).
Marinated Zucchini Noodles
These marinated zucchini noodles are the perfect side dish for summer BBQs.
They’re tossed with fresh herbs, garlic, spices, olive oil, and tart white vinegar for a zesty result that tastes amazing with grilled meats.
Throw in a few nori chips on the side or enjoy them with a bunch of tofu for an easy weeknight dinner!
Low-Carb Zoodle Egg Nests
If you’re looking for exciting breakfasts that are gluten-free and uber-healthy, check out these zoodle egg nests!
They contain just 5 ingredients and are topped with parmesan cheese and plenty of black pepper for a burst of flavor.
Cycle them with adorable egg muffins and you’ll have breakfast sorted for the entire week!
Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups
These zucchini lasagna roll-ups are deliciously cheesy and also surprisingly easy to make!
The baby spinach and zucchini add a bunch of iron and vitamins, while the parmesan and ricotta keep things so creamy.
Oh, and don’t forget the tangy and acidic marinara sauce that balances everything out!
Tomato and Zucchini Spaghetti with Avocado Sauce
When I’m looking for zoodle recipes that are warm, comforting, and creamy, I’ll make a beeline for this spaghetti.
It combines cherry tomatoes for color and juiciness with a herby avocado sauce that keeps things super creamy.
Top with parmesan and you’ll be reaching for bowl after bowl of the stuff!
Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon with Zucchini Noodles
This healthy zucchini noodle recipe blends perfectly flaky salmon with a lemon garlic butter sauce – and it’s amazing.
The salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and the parsley and lemon juice keep things fresh and light.
The perfect option for those lazy weeknights when you want something nutritious!
Golden Turmeric Noodle Miso Soup
Oh man, I can’t get enough of this zoodle miso soup during the winter months.
The lemon, ginger, and garlic are total flu-busters, and the zucchini noodle base adds plenty of bulk without the added calories.
Throw in cubes of tofu for protein or keep things simple with carrots and crunchy bok choy!
Garlic Butter Chicken Meatballs with Zoodles
These chicken meatballs are cheesy, tender, and seasoned to perfection!
The Italian seasoning and chopped parsley give them a wonderful herby flavor, but it's the lemony zoodles that keep things grounded.
An ideal meal prep lunchbox for busy adults!
Bucatini Zucchini Noodle Cacio e Pepe
I love a classic Cacio e Pepe, but it can get a little heavy with all that stodgy pasta.
By replacing some of the pasta with ribbons of zucchini, you get all the cheesiness without needing to unbuckle your belt!
Top with a generous amount of black pepper, and you’re good to go.
Zucchini Salad with Lemon Feta and Pine Nuts
There’s nothing better than a refreshing fennel salad when it’s warm, but this zucchini and pine nut delight is a serious contender.
The zucchini remains al dente for a pleasant crunch, while the pine nuts, fresh basil, and creamy feta keep things complex.
Marinating the zoodles takes a bit of time, but this labor of love is so worth it!
Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Yogurt Herb Sauce
This zucchini pasta with a tangy and creamy yogurt sauce is a fresh and healthy recipe that you can’t beat.
It uses simple ingredients, gets protein from the thick Greek yogurt, and is lifted with herbs like basil and mint!
Summertime sweats? Not with this dish around!
Instant Pot Peanut Noodles
Yep! I’m officially obsessed with the nutty and sweet sauce in this noodle recipe.
It combines peanut butter, honey, chili garlic sauce, and sesame oil for a rich and savory flavor with every bite.
Serve your zoodles with chicken thighs, beef, or tofu for the ultimate “fakeaway” dish!
5 Tips to Avoid Watery Zucchini Noodles
1. Dry your noodles before cooking them
To get the best results, always pat zoodles dry with a paper towel to remove excess water and prevent your noodles from going soggy!
2. Don’t use super high heat
Keeping your heat too high while you’re cooking spiralized veggies won’t get you perfectly delicate noodles! Instead, use medium-high heat or medium heat to cook your zoodles.
3. Add them last
If you’re cooking any sauces, throw your zoodles in right at the end. They’ll cook in the sauce and won’t turn mushy as your sauce reduces.
4. Reduce any sauces
If you’re adding sauces to your recipes, it’s easy to end up with goopy and soggy noodles. To avoid this, reduce your sauces first before mixing in your zoodles.
5. Don’t overcook them
This might sound obvious, but don’t overcook your noodles. Zoodles only need to cook for around 3 to 5 minutes until they’re perfectly al dente.
Have you tried any of these zoodle recipes?
Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite!