13 Popular Zoodle Recipes to Make for Your Next Meal
Updated: Jul. 19, 2023From comforting bowls of chicken zoodle soup to spicy plates of zoodle arrabbiata, we've rounded up the most popular zoodle recipes from cooks across the internet.
Zucchini Noodle Caprese Salad with Walnut Pesto
This refreshing salad and zoodle recipe by Erin Lives Whole is sure to keep the heat out of the kitchen this summer—a food processor and spiralizer are the only tools you need. The use of heart-healthy walnuts in the pesto makes this a nutrient-dense meal rich in omega-3 fats and minerals such as copper, manganese and magnesium.
Want to keep things plant-based? Blogger Erin Morrissey recommends using nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese and skipping the burrata.
Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles
This tangy shrimp dish is a smart way to cut carbs without sacrificing flavor. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use thinly julienned zucchini to get a similar effect. —Brigette Schroeder, Yorkville, IllinoisNot only is this zoodle recipe by Brigette Schroeder of Yorkville, Illinois, the perfect low-calorie option for dinner, but as a one-pot meal, it’s a time-saver in the kitchen as well! For a smokier sauce, use a quarter cup of reposado tequila instead.
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You can make zucchini noodles without a spiralizer. Just use a vegetable peeler!
Cold Ramen Zoodles (Hiyashi Chuka)
Blogger Caroline Caron-Phelps of Pickled Plum uses spiralized zucchini in her noodle-free take of hiyashi chuka, a classic Japanese chilled noodle salad. For an extra dose of protein, Phelps recommends adding either shrimp, ham or pork to the list of versatile toppings that can be used atop this fresh zoodle recipe.
Love Japanese cuisine? Here are popular Japanese desserts to finish the meal.
Zippy Turkey Zoodles
There’s nothing stopping you from packing healthy meals with tons of flavor, and this spiced-up turkey zoodle recipe by Elizabeth Bramkamp of Gig Harbor, Washington shows you how it’s done. “If you don’t have a spiralizer, simply slice the zucchini julienne-style,” she says.Wondering which spiralizer to buy? Here’s our list of the best spiralizers to make healthy meals easier than ever.
Plum Pork Spicy Meatballs with Bok Choy and Zucchini
If you love all thing sweet, salty and spicy, this is the zoodle recipe for you. “This recipe is so satisfying and delicious, you won’t miss any pasta or rice,” Susan Mason from Puyallup, Washington says. If you’re not feeling spiralized zucchini, substitute with one of these vegetables you didn’t know that you could spiralize instead.
Raw Peanut Zoodle Salad
Ready in just 10 minutes, this filling salad by A Saucy Kitchen is one of the best zoodle recipes to make when you’re short on time. And, that’s not all—none of the super quick prep requires the use of a stove or oven!
Following a paleo diet? Blogger Sarah Nevins recommends subbing almond butter for peanut butter, coconut aminos for soy sauce and sprinkling cashews instead of peanuts before serving.
Arugula Pesto Chicken
Looking to spice up your regular ol’ pesto routine? Courtney Stultz from Weir, Kansas, has the perfect replacement for you: fresh handfuls of arugula—from your garden if you can manage it! The use of shredded rotisserie chicken is a real time-saver in this pesto-fueled chicken and zoodle recipe.
Zucchini Noodle Spaghetti Bolognese
Ideal for your next weeknight dinner, the crispness of freshly spiralized zucchini proves to be the perfect contrast to rich homemade beef sauce in this hearty zoodle recipe by Downshiftology.
Making this on Meatless Monday? Blogger Lisa Bryan suggests subbing in a mix of chopped mushrooms and walnut to keep things meat-free.
Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles
I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you'd think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, TexasElevate your collection of zoodle recipes with this one-skillet wonder by Tammy Brownlow from Dallas, Texas. The key to going from prep to dinner in under 30 minutes is the type of seafood. “The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp,” she says. “The way it tastes, you’d think it takes a lot more effort.”
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Looking to add more sustainable seafood to your diet? Here’s our list of the best fish to buy.
One-Pot Taco Zucchini Noodles
Don’t feel guilty going back for seconds of this one-pot zoodle recipe—and trust us, you will! Jennifer Lee of Kirbie’s Cravings substitutes zucchini noodles for spaghetti in her family-favorite one-pot taco noodle dish, resulting in a full-of-spice meal that’s not only healthier but gluten-free and low-carb as well.
Need more low-carb inspiration? Here’s our guide to the best low-carb recipes of the year.
Arrabbiata Sauce with Zucchini Noodles
Spice things up with this homemade arrabbiata sauce and zoodle recipe that’s sure to rival even your favorite jar of store-bought sauce. “Serve over zucchini pasta for a lighter, healthier meal that’s naturally gluten-free,” says Courtney Stultz from Weir, Kansas.Made too much sauce? Stultz suggests freezing the cooled sauce leftovers in freezer-proof containers. If you need more dinner inspiration, here’s our guide to dinners that start with leftover pasta sauce.
Instant Pot Chicken Zoodle Soup
Talk about comfort in a bowl! Not only is this flavorful zoodle recipe by Lindsay Grimes Freedman of The Toasted Pine Nut gluten-free and low-carb, but it’s the perfect dish to help you warm up on the chilliest of days. Best of all, this chicken zoodle soup comes together in 30 minutes, thanks to the use of an Instant Pot.
Garlic-Grilled Chicken with Pesto Zucchini Ribbons
The first time I substituted zucchini noodles for regular pasta, it was because I was trying to reduce carbohydrates and calories. Now I make them because we love the flavor and texture they bring to dishes. This dish is just as delicious if you substitute shrimp for the chicken. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
