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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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

Are zoodles healthier than pasta? ›

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.

Can you lose weight eating zucchini noodles? ›

Eating zucchini noodles instead of pasta, just once a week, can help you lose over 2 pounds in a year — and making it all the time can lead to even further weight loss.

How many calories are in 1 cup of zucchini noodles? ›

Compared to regular pasta, zucchini pasta offers: Much less calories — As you can see above, one big cup of zoodles has only about 30–40 calories; compare that to regular spaghetti or linguini ,which has about 210 calories per cup!

Do zucchini noodles taste like pasta? ›

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.

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 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

How to lose belly fat? ›

8 Ways to Lose Belly Fat and Live a Healthier Life
  1. Try curbing carbs instead of fats. ...
  2. Think eating plan, not diet. ...
  3. Keep moving. ...
  4. Lift weights. ...
  5. Become a label reader. ...
  6. Move away from processed foods. ...
  7. Focus on the way your clothes fit more than reading a scale. ...
  8. Hang out with health-focused friends.

What pasta has the lowest carbs? ›

  1. Shirataki noodles (konjac noodles) and tofu shirataki noodles. If you're counting carbs and craving pasta, these are your best bet. ...
  2. Zucchini noodles. Also known as zoodles, these are simply long strands that have been spiralized from whole squash. ...
  3. Hearts of palm noodles. ...
  4. Spaghetti squash noodles.
Oct 31, 2022

How many calories are in 2 cups of zucchini noodles? ›

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.

What is the lowest calorie noodle? ›

Shirataki Noodles Have 11 Calories per 100g

These lowest calories noodles consist of water and starch from the roots of the konjac plant, which is a type of yam. In the digestive system, glucomannan acts like a dietary fibre, which means the body does not break it down to use as energy.

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.

What is a serving size of zoodles? ›

A note on serving size

We recommend spiralizing just about 1 pound of zucchini per serving (for a large, lunch or dinner-sized meal) – that equates to about two medium sized zucchinis or 2 cups, cooked. With regular wheat spaghetti, the serving size is less than 1 cup cooked – actually, about 3/4 heaping cup.

How do you make zoodles not soggy? ›

The next tip to avoid soggy zucchini noodles is to drain them. After you cook the noodles and before you add sauce, drain the zoodles in a colander. Shake off any excess moisture. Bonus points for patting dry with a paper towel or dish towel!

Which is healthier, pasta noodles or zoodles? ›

Unlike regular pasta, zucchini noodles contain fewer calories and carbs per serving, making them a healthier choice for those watching their weight or blood sugar levels. By substituting zucchini noodles in your favorite pasta dishes, you can enjoy a satisfying meal while still sticking to your health goals.

Are zoodles unhealthy? ›

Just like other recipes that contain squash, there are many ways to cook a zoodles...or to not cook them at all. 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.

Are zucchini noodles a good substitute for pasta? ›

Zucchini noodles (also known as zoodles) are a great low-carb or gluten free substitute for traditional wheat pasta. Zoodles can be made a few different ways using either a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or mandoline. They can also be prepared in multiple ways such as microwaved, sauteed, baked, boiled, or eaten raw.

Are zoodles 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.

Are egg noodles better than pasta for weight loss? ›

Calories. Egg noodles beat pasta when it comes to calories. A hundred grams of egg noodles has around 20 fewer calories than an equal amount of spaghetti.

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