Zucchini ribbon pasta, also known as zoodles, is a healthy, delicious, and refreshing alternative to traditional pasta that is not only easy to make but also packed with nutrients. With a texture that closely resembles actual pasta, zoodles are made from long, thin ribbons of zucchini that are spiralized, sautéed, or boiled until tender. Whether you're looking for a low-carb, gluten-free, or vegan pasta option, zucchini ribbon pasta is an excellent choice. Discover the best recipe for cooking zucchini ribbon pasta, including a guide on how to perfectly spiralize zucchini, delicious sauce options, and creative toppings to elevate your dish.
Let's cook with our recipes!
GOLDEN RIBBONS PASTA WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- If using large tomatoes score the bottoms with an X cutting through outer skin only. Bring a small pot of water to boil over medium heat and submerge the tomatoes for 1 minute. Remove and let cool for 1 to 2 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel, seed and chop them into a fine dice, about 1/4-inch. Reserve in small bowl. If using grape tomatoes, cut them in half and reserve.
- Put the stock and saffron into a small pot over medium-low heat. Simmer gently. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat for the pasta. When the water is at a full, rolling boil, salt the water and add the pasta. Cook the pasta to al dente. Drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat with extra-virgin olive oil, a couple of turns of the pan, and the butter. When the butter melts into the oil add the shallots, zucchini, garlic and thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and saute until tender, about 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and let them heat through. Add the pasta and stir gently.
- Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl with 1/2 cup of the saffron stock. Pour the remaining stock and tempered eggs over the pasta and turn off the heat. Toss the pasta and the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Serve the pasta immediately in shallow bowls garnished with Parmesan.
SAUTEED ZUCCHINI RIBBONS
Categories Vegetable Sauté Vegetarian Quick & Easy Zucchini Summer Vegan Gourmet
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut zucchini lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices using slicer. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté garlic, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon and discard.
- Add half of zucchini to garlic oil and sauté, turning and stirring frequently, until just tender but not golden, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a platter using tongs.
- Heat remaining tablespoon oil, then sauté and season remaining zucchini in same manner and transfer to platter. Sprinkle zucchini with zest and toss gently using tongs.
FETTUCCINE WITH WALNUTS, ZUCCHINI RIBBONS, AND PECORINO ROMANO
Categories Cheese Herb Nut Pasta Vegetable Dinner Parmesan Walnut Zucchini Summer Noodle Bon Appétit Pescatarian Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place 1 zucchini on work surface. Using vegetable peeler and firmly holding zucchini by stem end, shave zucchini lengthwise into long ribbons. Discard scraps. Repeat with remaining zucchini. Place ribbons (about 10 cups total) in large colander set over large bowl; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon fleur de sel. Let stand 30 minutes. Rinse zucchini under cold running water; drain well. Spread on 2 large kitchen towels; roll up in towels to absorb excess water. Set aside.
- Combine garlic, anchovy fillets, and crushed red pepper in very large serving bowl. Using pestle or wooden spoon, crush mixture until paste forms.
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Transfer pasta to bowl with garlic mixture. Add 1/3 cup oil and 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid; toss. Add zucchini, walnuts, 1/2 cup cheese, basil, and mint; toss. Season with salt and pepper, adding more pasta cooking liquid if mixture is dry. Drizzle with additional oil. Sprinkle with zucchini flowers, if desired. Serve with remaining cheese.
LOW-CARB ZUCCHINI PASTA
If you are a pasta lover and need a low-carb version closer to the real thing than spaghetti squash, you have found your match! This is a great recipe for one; super-quick and super-versatile. Serve with your favorite sauce.
Provided by DinnerMomma
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 15m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut lengthwise slices from zucchini using a vegetable peeler, stopping when the seeds are reached. Turn zucchini over and continue 'peeling' until all the zucchini is in long strips; discard seeds. Slice the zucchini into thinner strips resembling spaghetti.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir zucchini in the hot oil for 1 minute. Add water and cook until zucchini is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 157.1 calories, Carbohydrate 7.9 g, Fat 13.9 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 2.9 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 180.7 mg, Sugar 4.1 g
ZUCCHINI RIBBONS WITH BASIL BUTTER
Found this in a magazine! Made it with the garlic excellent! Also instead of boiling the ribbons, I fried them in butter until tender. Wow! That was excellent also! Very easy either way.
Provided by Poker
Categories Vegetable
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring pot of water to boil.
- Mean-while, with vegetable peeler-slice zucchini lengthwise into ribbons. Add zucchini to boiling water; cook until tender, 30-60 seconds.
- Drain and transfer zucchini to serving bowl.
- Add butter, oil, parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes; gently toss until butter is melted and zucchini are coated.
- I also added 1/2 tsp of garlic powder to this!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 99.9, Fat 7.6, SaturatedFat 2.9, Cholesterol 9.8, Sodium 79.4, Carbohydrate 6.3, Fiber 2, Sugar 4.9, Protein 3.4
ZUCCHINI & CARROT RIBBON FETTUCINI
I have been making this recipe for years and years. Found it originally on a box of Mueller's pasta and it has been a hit since then. A pretty side dish to any meal - even pretty enough for guests. My daughter still requests this for her birthday dinner. It does not have a cheese sauce (see other recipes here on Zaar for that) but you do have the option of topping it with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese but we enjoy it with just a basic buttered coating more often. Hope you enjoy!
Provided by HokiesMom
Categories Vegetable
Time 25m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In preparation: using a vegetable peeler, slice wide thin strips from the zucchini and carrots, slicing the full length of the vegetable. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pasta pot.
- Heat butter in a medium skillet just until melted then stir in the zucchini and carrot ribbons; cover and cook over low heat 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir once more.
- Drain prepared fettuccine and then toss it with the vegetable ribbons and the herbs.
- If desired, sprinkle top generously with Parmesan cheese after placing it in a serving dish and serving.
ZUCCHINI "PASTA"
If you don't eat wheat, or you're on a low-carbohydrate diet and miss pasta, this can stand in for fettucine. Be very careful not to overcook it; it will be al dente after just a few minutes of cooking, after which it will quickly fall apart. When cooked just right, it's silky and wonderful. You can eat it as is, or toss it with a fresh tomato sauce. Use a vegetable peeler or a mandolin to make the thin zucchini strips. It's easy to do with the peeler, which is what I use.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Time 20m
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several ribbons from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more ribbons. Continue to turn and peel off ribbons until you get to the seeds at the core of the zucchini. Discard the core. You can also do this on a mandolin, adjusted to a very thin slice.
- Cook the zucchini strips in 2 batches. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and when it is hot, add the zucchini ribbons and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, tossing and stirring the zucchini, for 2 to 3 minutes only, just until softened and beginning to be translucent. Adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste, and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat with the remaining olive oil and zucchini. Serve, topping with tomato sauce and freshly grated Parmesan if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 100, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 545 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams
ZUCCHINI-RIBBON "LASAGNA"
Strips of zucchini stand in for lasagna noodles and ground turkey is swapped in place of ground beef, adding texture and flavor in this healthy, vegetable-filled take on the Italian classic.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Turkey Recipes Ground Turkey Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Make the sauce: Pulse tomatoes with juice in a food processor until finely chopped. Heat oil in a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and red-pepper flakes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 8 minutes. Add turkey; cook, breaking up any large pieces, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until thick, about 20 minutes. Stir in oregano and salt. Let cool.
- Make the lasagna: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice zucchini lengthwise into thin strips (about 1/8 inch thick) using a mandoline or a sharp knife. Place 5 or 6 zucchini slices, overlapping slightly, in the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish. Top with 1 cup sauce. Dot with 1/4 cup ricotta. Repeat twice with zucchini, remaining sauce, and 1/2 cup ricotta, alternating direction of zucchini. Top with remaining zucchini, alternating direction; brush with oil. Dot with remaining 1/4 cup ricotta. Season with pepper. Bake, uncovered, until lasagna bubbles and top browns, 50 to 60 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Garnish with oregano.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 155 g, Cholesterol 38 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 498 g
Tips:
- Choose the right zucchini: Select firm, medium-sized zucchini with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid zucchini that are too large or have bruises or blemishes.
- Use a sharp vegetable peeler: A sharp vegetable peeler will create long, thin ribbons of zucchini. If your peeler is dull, it will tear the zucchini and create uneven ribbons.
- Peeling technique: Hold the zucchini steady with one hand and use the peeler to create long, even strokes from the top to the bottom of the zucchini. Apply gentle pressure to avoid breaking the ribbons.
- Cook the zucchini ribbons briefly: Zucchini ribbons cook quickly, so it's important to cook them briefly to maintain their crisp-tender texture. Overcooking will make them mushy.
- Add flavorings: You can add various flavorings to your zucchini ribbon pasta to enhance its taste. Some popular options include olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, and spices.
Conclusion:
Zucchini ribbon pasta is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its vibrant color and delicate flavor, zucchini ribbon pasta is a perfect addition to any healthy meal. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give zucchini ribbon pasta a try!
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