Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (2024)

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Katerina

4.80 from 10 votes

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This Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles recipe is made with delicious zucchini noodles (zoodles!) tossed in a creamy ricotta cheese sauce. An easy and delicious vegetarian dinner recipe that takes minutes to prepare!

Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (2)

    AN EASY VEGETARIAN DINNER RECIPE WITH ZOODLES

    Hello Hello, my lovelyMonday-ers! ‘Sup?! Happy start to the week – I hope we all have a great one!

    I have to get something off my chest. It’s a guilty pleasure thing.

    This weekend, I waited until everyone went to bed and I binge watched The People’s Couch! For 4 hours… What is wrong with me?!

    Here’s everyone else talking about Scandal or Blue Bloods, and I’m all like, “But, YOU GUYS, the people on the People’s Couchare hilarious!!”… I got the “weirdo” look from everyone around me, but do I care?! NOPE. Sometimes their recaps are 100times better than sitting through an hour of some network tv program. Who’s with me??

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (3)

    Also? I can’t sit through an hour of TV… it’s like I’ve got ants in my pants.
    Thank you, God, for DVRs and On Demand. And fast-forward.

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (4)

    Okay, time for food! Welcome to today’s episode of make believe noodles twirled in a very real ricotta sauce. Balance is life.wah wah waaaaah.

    I don’t mean to be super obvious here, but we all know that real fettuccine would probably make a better starring role, right?! HOWEVER, let’s get real here. BARE legs-arms-tummies(?)-season is just about upon us, and allI’m trying to do is help out thisunderarm jiggle businessfind its way back to where it came from.

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (5)

    MY FAVORITE WAY TO COOK ZOODLES

    Make no mistake, though, zoodles is where it’s at. I do a lot of zucchini noodles meals and there’s been plenty of times where this little family of mine thought they were real spaghetti. It’s all in the sauce, you know? AND in how they are prepared! I am not one to chill with raw zucchini. I like healthy, but not THAT healthy, ya know? Therefore, I always give my zoodles a swim in some hot olive oil for several minutes, or just until tender.

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (6)

    I’d also like to share with you that I have served this treat as a cold salad, I’ve served it as a side dish, and I have served it as a light main dish. However you decide to have it is all up to you – it’s good no matter how it’s served.

    NOTE that ricotta is a protein-rich cheese that’s actually good for you, so go make somezucchini noodleswith garlicky ricotta sauce, serve it with blistered cherry tomatoesbecause it’s incredible, and then go for seconds. That’s sounds about right for aMonday.

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (7)

    And now I eat.

    ENJOY!

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (8)

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    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (9)

    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles

    Katerina | Diethood

    This Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles recipe is made with delicious zucchini noodles (zoodles!) tossed in a creamy ricotta cheese sauce. An easy and delicious vegetarian dinner recipe that takes minutes to prepare!

    4.80 from 10 votes

    Rate this Recipe!

    Servings : 4 Servings

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

    Prep Time 10 minutes mins

    Cook Time 25 minutes mins

    Total Time 35 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    FOR THE ZUCCHINI NOODLES

    • 6 zucchini , washed, dried and spiralized*
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil , divided
    • 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh herbs (I either reach for rosemary or thyme, but use whatever you have on hand or use your favorite)
    • salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste

    FOR THE RICOTTA SAUCE

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 4 cloves garlic , minced
    • 1 cup ricotta cheese
    • 1/2- cup skim milk
    • salt and fresh ground pepper , to taste (season it well)

    FOR THE TOMATOES

    • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes , halved
    • salt , to taste
    • freshly grated parmesan cheese , optional

    Instructions

    • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet.

    • Add spiralized zucchini; season with herbs, salt and pepper and continue to cook for 7 minutes, or until tender, stirring frequently.

    • Remove zoodles from skillet and set aside.

    • Return skillet to stove and heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat.

    • Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant, stirring frequently.

    • Stir in ricotta cheese and milk; season with salt and pepper and continue to stir until cheese is completely melted and everything is well combined.

    • Bring to a steady simmer and cook for 3 minutes, or until thickened.

    • Remove from heat and stir in the previously prepared zucchini; taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly. Set aside.

    • In a small skillet, heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat.

    • Add the cherry tomatoes, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 2 minutes, or until they start to blister.

    • Stir and continue to cook for 2 more minutes.

    • Remove from heat.

    • Serve tomatoes over the prepared zucchini and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

    Notes

    *Remove as much excess water as possible from the spiralized zucchini before cooking.

    NUTRITIONAL INFO PER SERVINGS

    Nutrition

    Calories: 303 kcal | Carbohydrates: 18 g | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 21 g | Saturated Fat: 7 g | Cholesterol: 31 mg | Sodium: 101 mg | Potassium: 1149 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 12 g | Vitamin A: 1505 IU | Vitamin C: 80.5 mg | Calcium: 230 mg | Iron: 2.2 mg

    Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

    Course: Dinner, Main

    Cuisine: American

    Keyword: best zucchini recipes, easy zucchini pasta recipe, how to cook zoodles, zoodles recipe

    Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

    Categories:

    • Dinner Recipes
    • One Pot Meals
    • Vegetarian

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    Creamy Ricotta Zucchini Noodles | Zoodles Vegetarian Dinner Recipe (2024)

    FAQs

    What are 3 advantages of having zucchini noodles over regular pasta? ›

    Zucchini is low in fat, sugar, and calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber, making it a great substitute for traditional pasta noodles. Fiber helps to regulate bowels and maintain good digestive health, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to protect cells.

    How do you make zucchini noodles not 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.

    Should you salt zucchini noodles before cooking? ›

    Don't pre-salt your zucchini noodles.

    First of all, one of the benefits of spiralizing is that it's SO quick (just spiralize, cook, and enjoy pasta in under 5 minutes!). Salting adds extra prep work.

    Should you dry zucchini noodles? ›

    If you have the time, I highly recommend making your zoodles the day before you plan to serve them. I'll often make a batch of zoodles for random meals throughout the week, and making them ahead of time allows them to dry out so that they won't have much moisture left when you're ready to use them!

    What is healthier, spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles? ›

    A look into essential Vitamins & Minerals, shows that Zucchini Pasta outdoes Spaghetti Squash on every one, except for Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Selenium. Information found from SELF's Nutrition Data calculator.

    Do zucchini noodles have a lot of carbs? ›

    Compare two cups of pasta weighing in at 480 calories, 90 grams of carbs, and two grams of fiber with two cups of zucchini zoodles at 66 calories, twelve grams of carbs, and four grams of fiber. Seems like a no-brainer, right? It is if you're using the right ingredients and the right sauce.

    Why do you soak zucchini before cooking? ›

    The main problem that confronts the cook when preparing zucchini is its wateriness. Zucchini is 95 percent water (among vegetables, only lettuce contains more water) and will become soupy if it is just thrown into a hot pan.

    How do you get moisture out of zucchini noodles? ›

    Don't overcook the noodles, otherwise, they'll get soggy. I like mine to have a slight crunch, sort of like al dente pasta. After spiralizing your zucchini noodles, sprinkle with a bit of salt and let them sit in a colander for 10 minutes. It'll help get rid of some of the excess moisture.

    Should you drain zucchini noodles? ›

    Stovetop Cooking Method:

    Let them drain for 20-30 minutes. Squeeze the zoodles gently over the sink to release more water. No need to get out every last drop, but just the majority.

    Why is my zucchini lasagna watery? ›

    Zucchini is 95% water so it is important to draw out the water from the zucchini before baking or the lasagna will be a watery mess.

    Can you freeze zucchini noodles? ›

    Freezing Zucchini Noodles, or “Zoodles”

    Zoodles freeze perfectly, and I think they are better frozen-thawed than fresh! The process of blanching wilts and softens the zucchini, and once thawed, all they need is a quick sauté. Use zucchini noodles as a vegetable alternative to traditional pasta.

    Are zucchini noodles healthier than regular noodles? ›

    Benefits of Eating Zucchini Noodles

    If you are trying to eat low-carb, that is a huge difference! More fiber: Zucchini contains more grams of fiber per serving than regular pasta, which helps your digestive function, aids in weight loss, helps control blood sugar levels, lowers cholesterol, and more.

    What are 3 advantages to pasta? ›

    10 Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Pasta
    1. helps keep you regular.
    2. SUPPORTS HEALTHY WEIGHT MANAGEMENT. ...
    3. protein-packed for full body benefits. ...
    4. promotes digestive health. ...
    5. it's a vehicle for vegetables. ...
    6. there's no hidden sodium. ...
    7. low in calories & cholesterol. ...
    8. boosts your immune system. ...
    Nov 11, 2022

    Why are noodles better than pasta? ›

    Some noodle varieties are healthier than pasta. This is because noodles can be made from a wide array of ingredients. Soba noodles, which are made from buckwheat flour, contain fewer calories and carbohydrates than other noodle varieties and pasta.

    Why is veggie pasta better than regular pasta? ›

    Compared to traditional pasta, bean/legume-based pastas contain a greater amount of protein and fiber and - bonus: They're also gluten-free! Just make sure you watch your portions.

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