Zucchini Noodles

Learn how to make these amazing zucchini noodles using simple ingredients. Ready in less than 20 minutes, they are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional pasta! 

Looking for guilt-free ways to satisfy your pasta cravings? These noodles are a healthy choice, with low calories, carbs, and high fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This is also an excellent way to add more veggies to your diet and increase nutrition.

Say goodbye to boring salads and hello to these delicious and healthy zucchini noodles! This recipe also features a delicious almond butter dressing.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Quick and easy. From prep to plate, the recipe requires less than 30 minutes and a few easy instructions. 
• Delicious. The flavors of all the ingredients combine to give this recipe a refreshing and delectable taste that everyone will love. 
• Healthier. It’s full of fiber, vitamins and minerals, while being low in carbs; hence a healthier alternative to traditional pasta. 
• Gluten-free. Made using zucchini, not traditional pasta; it is suitable for celiacs.

What I love the most about these types of noodles are their versatility. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, from sauteed to boiled, or paired with various sauces, seasonings and spices to enjoy a different and better flavor every time!

Ingredients needed

For noodles base

• Zucchini. The star of the dish! Use firm and ripe zucchini for spiralizing.
• Tofu. I like using a firm tofu because it doesn’t crumble when mixed with other ingredients. 
• Vegetable oil. Or any other neutral flavored oil. 
• Red bell pepper. Julienned. 
• Yellow bell pepper. Julienned. 
• Snow peas. Trimmed. 
• Green onions. Chopped into small pieces. 
• Carrots. Julienned.
• Red cabbage. Finely chopped. 

For almond butter dressing

• Almond butter. Or appropriate nut butter alternative, based on your preference. 
• Garlic. Minced. 
• Ginger. Minced. 
• Sriracha. A hot sauce for adding a spicy flavor to the dressing. 
• Agave nectar. For a little extra natural sweetness to balance the spices in the dressing. 
• Soy sauce. To balance the flavor profile of the dish by adding a touch of saltiness. 
• Lime juice. Adds a tangy and zesty highlight. 
• Sesame oil. Or olive oil as an alternative. 
• Water. Use hot water. 
• Red pepper flakes. To taste. 
• Peanuts. To serve. 
• Cilantro. To serve.

How to make zucchini noodles

Follow the 6 easy steps below to prepare the best zucchini noodles! 

Step 1 – Prepare tofu. To prepare tofu, cut it into cubes or squares. Add some vegetable oil to a pan and fry tofu until it becomes crispy and golden on all sides. Set aside. 

Step 2 – Prepare dressing. Mix all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or shake all ingredients together in a medium sized sealed jar. Set aside. 

Step 3 – Stir fry all the veggies. Add all the veggies to a large pan and fry for a few minutes or until tender. 

Step 4 – Add noodles. Spiralize and add zucchini noodles to the pan and heat for 1 minute or until warm. Don’t overcook the zucchini noodles, as they will start to wilt and become soggy.

Step 5 – Mix cooked veggies and tofu. Transfer the cooked veggies to a large bowl and mix them with crispy tofu cubes. 

Step 6 – Add dressing and serve. Add dressing over the veggies and tofu mixture and mix it well. Add cilantro or chopped peanuts to garnish before serving.

Tips to make the best recipe

• Choose good zucchini. Use firm and ripe zucchini for the recipe because they will produce noodles with the right texture and flavor.
• Take care with spiralizing. Before spiralizing, cut off the ends of the zucchinis. This will help the zucchini spiralize more easily and prevent the noodles from becoming too thin or breaking.
• Lightly salt the zucchini. Sprinkle some salt on the zucchini noodles and let them sit for about 10 minutes. This will help draw out excess moisture and prevent soggy noodles.
• Separate for storage. If preparing in advance, keep the dressing and the noodles mix separate until serving.

Flavor variations 

Here are a few delicious and healthy ways to alter the flavor of your zucchini noodles: 

• Try different sauces. Toss zucchini noodles with your favorite sauces, like tomato sauce, pesto, or alfredo, to give them a different flavor.
• Use various toppings. You can top your zucchini noodles with different ingredients like vegan cheese, various vegetables, or chopped nuts to add flavor.
• Experiment with ingredients. Cook your zucchini noodles with other ingredients such as garlic, onion, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes to infuse them with additional flavor.

Storage instructions

To store: Place leftovers in a shallow air-tight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to one week. 

To reheat: Reheat in the microwave or skillet for 1-2 minutes or until thoroughly warm.

Recommended tools 

• Spiralizer. Your go to for reforming a range of different vegetables.

More noodle recipes to try

• Soba Noodle Salad
• Singapore Rice Noodles
• Healthy Vegan Japchae Noodles

Frequently asked questions

Zucchini Noodles

Learn how to make these amazing zucchini noodles using simple ingredients. Ready in less than 20 minutes, they are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional pasta! 

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 243 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 oz tofu firm, 180g
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 medium zucchini spiralized
• 1/2 medium red bell pepper julienned
• 1/2 medium yellow bell pepper julienned
• 1 cup snow peas trimmed
• 3 green onions chopped into small pieces
• 1 cup carrots julienned
• 1 cup red cabbage chopped

Almond Butter Dressing:

• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger minced
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha
• 1 1/2 tablespoons agave nectar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon peanuts chopped, to garnish
• 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped, to garnish

Instructions

 

• First, prepare tofu. Cut tofu into cubes or squares. Heat a frying pan with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and pan fry tofu on all sides until crisp and golden. Set aside.
• Prepare dressing by whisking all ingredients together, or shaking them together in a medium sized jar.
• In a large pan, combine your julienned bell peppers, green onion,carrot, red cabbage and snowpeas. Heat through and fry for a few minutes until tender.
• Add zucchini noodles to the pan and toss for 1 minute, or until heated through. You don't want to over cook this as the zucchini noodles will start to wilt and release too much water. You simply want to heat the noodles through.
• Transfer cooked veggies to a large bowl, and add in your crispy tofu cubes. Pour dressing over your veggie mixture, and toss to disperse.
• Serve noodles topped with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

Notes

TO STORE: Place leftovers in a shallow air-tight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to one week. 

TO REHEAT: Reheat in the microwave or skillet for 1-2 minutes or until thoroughly warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 12gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 473mgPotassium: 572mgFiber: 6gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 4599IUVitamin C: 76mgCalcium: 136mgIron: 3mg

Keyword zucchini noodles

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