Zucchini noodles

Zucchini cut into long strands and warmed in garlic oil, in place of pasta. Serves 2.

  • Lazy AF
  • Vegan option
  • Gluten-free
  • American
  • Side
  • Vegetables
  • Keto
  • Low carb
  • One pan
Hands-on
12 min
Total time
17 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 8 min
  • Cook 4 min
  • Clean up 5 min
Pans
1
Ingredients
4
Cost/serving
$1.25

Per serving

Calories
116
Protein
4.3 g
Fiber
2.1 g
Net carbs
4.9 g
Fat
8.7 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Vitamin C 40%, Vitamin B6 21%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 2

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 2 medium zucchini (400 g)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (14 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL.

  • 1 clove garlic, smashed (3 g)

    Same amount as: 1 tsp fresh minced garlic, ½ tsp jarred minced garlic, ⅛ tsp garlic powder.

  • 2 tbsp parmesan, grated (10 g), grated

    Same amount as: 30 mL.

  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings. More than 3 zucchini crowd the pan and go watery. Cook in rounds.

Nutrition Facts

2 servings per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (214 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories116
Total fat8.7 g11%
Saturated fat1.9 g10%
Cholesterol3 mg1%
Sodium252 mg11%
Total carbohydrate7 g3%
Dietary fiber2.1 g7%
Total sugars5.1 g
Net carbs†4.9 g
Protein4.3 g9%
Vitamin D0.03 mcg0%
Calcium95 mg7%
Iron0.87 mg5%
Potassium535 mg11%
Vitamin A30 mcg3%
Vitamin C36 mg40%
Vitamin E1.2 mg8%
Vitamin K13 mcg11%
Thiamin (B1)0.1 mg8%
Riboflavin (B2)0.21 mg16%
Niacin (B3)0.93 mg6%
Vitamin B60.35 mg21%
Folate48 mcg12%
Vitamin B120.06 mcg2%
Magnesium39 mg9%
Zinc0.8 mg7%
Selenium1.7 mcg3%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Cut the ends off the zucchini. Spiralize them into long strands. Cut any very long strands in half with scissors.

    Done looks like: A loose pile of noodles about as thick as spaghetti.
  2. Lay the noodles on a clean towel for a few minutes while you slice the garlic thin.

  3. Heat the oil in the pan on medium for 1 minute. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.

    Done looks like: Garlic smells strong and is starting to turn pale gold.
  4. Add the noodles. Toss with tongs or the spatula for 2–3 minutes.

    Done looks like: Hot all the way through and bright green, still with a little bite.
  5. Turn off the heat. Add salt and pepper, then sprinkle the parmesan on top.

Equipment

Spiralizer or julienne peeler $8–30

What to look for

  • A handheld julienne peeler is enough for one or two zucchini
  • Countertop spiralizers with suction feet are faster for big batches

Skip: Electric spiralizers.

Large frying pan or skillet, 30 cm (12 in) $25–60

What to look for

  • Wide flat base so food cooks in one layer
  • Stainless steel or cast iron for high heat

Skip: Woks on flat electric stoves; they do not heat evenly there.

Silicone spatula $5–12

What to look for

  • One-piece (no seam where the head meets the handle)
  • Stiff enough to scrape, safe on non-stick

Skip: Wooden spatulas for non-stick pans; they work but do not scrape as cleanly.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Watery puddle in the pan and the bowlCooked too long, or salted too early. Zucchini is mostly water.Cook only 2–3 minutes and salt at the end, right before serving.
Short, broken bits instead of strandsZucchini pushed at an angle, or a soft, old zucchini.Use firm zucchini and keep it centred and straight on the blade.

Versions

VersionChangesPer serving
OriginalAs written. Hands-on 12 min, total 17 min.116 kcal
4.3 g protein
2.1 g fiber
4.9 g net carbs
8.7 g fat
VeganNo parmesan. Also vegetarian, dairy-free. Hands-on 12 min, total 17 min.96 kcal
2.5 g protein
2.1 g fiber
4.7 g net carbs
7.4 g fat

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.