Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (2024)

Home » Recipes » Vegetable Sides » Zucchini Noodles Aglio e Olio

by Joanne October 20, 2014 (updated March 14, 2019)

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This Zucchini Noodles recipe with Parmesan and Olive Oil is a lighter take on Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. It’s quick and delicious!

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (1)

A few months ago I succumbed to the trend that is The Spiralizer, and I have to say that I’m pretty pleased about it.

Generally speaking, I’m weary of kitchen gadgets that are very specialized and only do one thing, so I wanted to resist buying a spiralizer with all my might, despite seeing the internet blow up with spiralizer recipes. My tiny Manhattan kitchen is already so crowded! But I have to say that I LOVE my spiralizer and find myself using it a lot.

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (2)

This recipe for Zucchini Noodles with Parmesan and Olive Oil is one of my favorite dishes to make with it. It’s my take on a Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, but with zucchini noodles instead of pasta, and with basil instead of parsley. It’s so simple to prepare, and is ridiculously fun to eat.

There are quite a few brands of Spiralizers on the market, but this is the one I like most. I actually had a different brand before this one, but I returned it and settled with the Paderno instead.

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (3)

I used the blade that makes the smaller noodles, similar in size to a thick spaghetti:

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (4)

Heat up a little bit of oil in a skillet and add minced garlic:

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (5)

Let the garlic flavor the oil for 15 seconds, then add the zucchini noodles.

Season the noodles with salt, and toss on medium high heat for two minutes, just to barely cook them:

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (6)

Remove the zucchini noodles to a mixing bowl, and add parmesan cheese, basil, and a really good olive oil (this is my favorite kind):

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (7)

Use tongs to toss that together:

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (8)

Then it’s ready to serve:

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (9)

Enjoy, my friends!

Also check out my Ultimate Guide to Zucchini! It covers how to store zucchini, how to pick a good one at the grocery, and 60+ recipe ideas using zucchini.

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (10)

Zucchini Noodles Aglio e Olio

Servings: 1 -2

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

This Zucchini Noodles recipe with Parmesan and Olive Oil is a lighter take on Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. It's quick and delicious!

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Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp neutral cooking oil like avocado or olive
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large zucchini spiralized
  • salt
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil*
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves chopped

Instructions

  • Heat the cooking oil up in a large skillet over medium high heat, then add the garlic. Cook for 15 seconds, then add the zucchini noodles. Season with a pinch of salt, then continuously toss the zucchini noodles around the skillet with tongs, for two minutes.

  • Remove the zucchini noodles from the skillet to a mixing bowl, and add the olive oil, parmesan cheese, and basil leaves. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

*I love and recommend California Olive Ranch (I have no affiliation with them)

Nutrition

Calories: 273kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 22mg, Sodium: 399mg, Potassium: 511mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 610IU, Vitamin C: 37mg, Calcium: 320mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Indonesian

Author: Fifteen Spatulas

The Ultimate Guide to Zucchini

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posted in: All Recent Posts, Gluten-free, On the Lighter Side, Vegetable Sides 8 comments

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    8 Comments on “Zucchini Noodles Aglio e Olio”

  1. Amanda Reply

    What a creative way to use zucchini!

  2. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom Reply

    Joanne,
    love this!! I love my spiralizer and love eating zucchini like this! Beautiful!!

  3. Teresa C. Reply

    Oh yeah…..this is a keeper!

  4. Kentucky Lady 717 Reply

    This looks good, I have not seen the spiralizer….what else can you do with it ? Could you do a video and show us how it works 🙂 We’d appreciate it 🙂

    What else do you make using it ?

    Thanks

    • Joanne Ozug Reply

      A video is a great idea! Right now I’m planning to do one, thanks for the request! As far as the spiralizer, I have a cucumber recipe I do with it too (I’ll post that eventually), but a friend loves to spiralize butternut squash and roast it. You can also make curly fries if you want to indulge (oh boy do I love those, but they are a treat). There’s a lot!

  5. Gioia Reply

    This looks fantastic. I have tried spaghetti squash to replace pas
    ta but it is much sweeter than I wanted. Thank you, I will look into the gadget and try this recipe!

    • Joanne Ozug Reply

      Yeah, I think spaghetti squash is really it’s own thing. I’d say using a spiralizer to cut veggies is more similar, but still, a different experience. Hope you get to try it and enjoy! Ask around and see if maybe a friend has a spiralizer you can try, if you aren’t ready to get one.

  6. Caroline Reply

    So great to see this recipe! I’ve been so intrigued by the whole spiralizer thing. I really need to get one. I love pasta, but have been trying really hard to reduce the amount of carbs I eat. This looks so fresh and yummy! Love it!

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Parmesan (2024)

FAQs

How do you make zoodles that aren't soggy? ›

To avoid soggy and limp noodles, I recommend cooking for only 3-5 minutes (5 if you're cooking more than 1-2 spiralized zucchinis) and tossing frequently. You want a slightly al dente noodle.

How do you make zucchini not watery? ›

Salt and drain zucchini

If you've got the time, try salting and draining your zucchini. This method involves liberally salting your sliced zucchini and allowing it to set in a colander (over a bowl) for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour, before patting dry with paper towels or a tea towel.

Should you salt zoodles before cooking? ›

Add zucchini noodles. Toss with tongs and let the zucchini cook for just a minute or two. Remove from heat and add to sauce or add some salt and eat as is. Note: Don't salt the zucchini before you saute it; the noodles will release more water and they'll end up limp.

How do you fix mushy zucchini? ›

Lay grated vegetables out in a single layer or place in a colander and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Place grated zucchini in a cheesecloth or a thin dish towel and strain until all of the moisture comes out.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

This, the outlet asserts, is due to zucchini's high water content: If it cooks too slowly, it will release its moisture before it sears, becoming soggy and sodden. Over high heat, on the other hand, zucchini becomes caramelized on the outside but retains a meaty, firm texture within.

Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›

The salt draws the moisture from the flesh which helps ensure that the vegetable stays firm during roasting. This moisture (and excess salt) is patted off with a paper towel before cooking. Added benefit: the salt works its way into the scores of the flesh and seasons the zucchini all the way to the center.

How much water does zucchini need? ›

Watering Zucchinis

One inch of water per week should suffice, but water more often if the weather is particularly hot and dry. Well-draining soil is a must—if it water pools and remains stagnant around the roots, they will start to rot. Avoid letting your soil dry out; this can increase the risk of blossom end rot.

Why is my zucchini turning to mush? ›

Blossom End Rot

It's occurs due to the plants inability to get calcium. This can be caused by a few things: Watering inconsistency (the most likely cause especially if you've had a lot of rain) Soil PH is either too high or too low (do a PH test to check)

What's the difference between zucchini noodles and zoodles? ›

Zucchini noodles can be made into different shapes, much like regular pasta. The most common way to make zoodles is to run the zucchini through a spiralizer, which makes a spaghetti-sized zoodle.

How do you grate zucchini into noodles? ›

Cut the ends off the zucchini, then push along the top of grater, in long strokes in order to create long, thin ribbons of zucchini (see the animated . gif in the post). Heat a skillet with the olive oil, then gently fry the zucchini with the garlic until slightly tender.

Does salt draw water out of zucchini? ›

Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices. I found quarter-inch slices the perfect thickness. Thinner slices fall apart during cooking; thicker slices require a longer salting time.

Why are my zoodles bitter? ›

Remove the Seeds: The seeds and surrounding flesh can sometimes contribute to bitterness. You can scoop out the seeds before cooking. Salt and Drain: Sprinkle salt on sliced zucchini and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. This draws out excess moisture and bitterness.

How do you firm up zucchini? ›

Arrange the zucchini pieces into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (It will stick to the pan if you don't line it first!) Freeze the zucchini for about 1 hour, until it's firm to the touch, then transfer it to an airtight container to preserve the flavor as you store it.

How do you rescue soggy noodles? ›

Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add your overcooked pasta. Gently sauté over medium heat for a few minutes until the pasta's texture has firmed up. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and you'll know it is done when the edges of the pasta have started to crisp and light browning has begun.

What causes noodles to be soggy? ›

When the noodles absorb too much water, they tend to turn soggy. So overcooking is out of the question. When the noodles are soaked in water, the starch tends to act up and slowly make the noodles softer over the time.

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