Zucchini noodles, also known as zoodles, are delicious, fresh, and low-calorie alternatives to pasta.
However, sometimes it’s hard to know what to serve with zucchini noodles—so we’ve come up with some of the best zucchini noodle recipes you can try!
From savory dishes to sweet treats and everything in between. This list of what to serve with zucchini noodles will make you want more zoodles than ever!
1. Grilled Chicken or Shrimp
This is the first on our list of what to serve with zucchini noodles. Grilling the shrimp or chicken provides a nice smoky flavor, but it’s also quick and easy.
Start by grilling the shrimp or chicken for about 3 minutes on each side until they’re cooked through. You can serve them as-is or chop them up and mix them in with the zucchini noodles.
If you have time, try marinating the shrimp or chicken before grilling them. A basic marinade would consist of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper (plus any other spices you like).
Mix together in a bowl, then pour over your meat or seafood. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes before cooking so the flavors can really get into the meat.
2. Pesto
If you are looking for what to serve with zucchini noodles, pesto is a great option. Pesto is an excellent vegetarian substitute for meat-based chili toppings.
Made from black beans and roasted red bell peppers, this dish has an excellent savory flavor without the added fat and calories. The best part is that you can have it ready in just 30 minutes!
It really brings out the taste of the zucchini noodles and is quite simple to create. It’s also a fantastic method to get your recommended daily intake of antioxidants.
So be sure to add some pesto to your zucchini noodles if you’re searching for a tasty and wholesome meal.
3. Alfredo Sauce
Wondering what to serve with zucchini noodles, alfredo sauce is a great option. The dish is usually pleasant since the creamy sauce blends well with the somewhat sweet flavor of the zucchini noodles.
We strongly advise trying Alfredo sauce if you’re searching for a fantastic way to eat your zucchini noodles.
You won’t be let down! To make it!
- Take a large pot of salted water and bring it to a boil.
- Add the zucchini noodles, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they are tender but still have some crunch.
- Drain the noodles and set them aside in a bowl or on plates.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in the flour until it forms a paste that’s smooth, lump-free, and cooked through (if you need to add more butter or warm up your pan). Cook for 1 minute while stirring continuously before adding the milk very slowly so as not to make any lumps form; keep whisking while you’re pouring!
4. Parmesan Cheese
Zucchini noodles are versatile and can be used in almost any dish, from an entree to an appetizer to dessert. They are low-calorie, gluten-free, and nutritious.
They can be used in place of pasta or rice and mixed with any type of sauce such as marinara, pesto, alfredo, cream sauce, buttered garlic sauce, brown butter sauce, olive oil dressing – the list goes on!
Meanwhile, combining parmesan cheese with zucchini noodles is quite awesome. Something about the creamy, salty flavor of parmesan complements the freshness of zucchini so perfectly.
Also, it’s a really simple dish to put together. Simply spiralize some zucchini and add some parmesan cheese to your dish.
Other components that you can include are cherry tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. Wondering what to serve with zucchini
5. Freshly Cracked Pepper or Olive Oil
The fact that zoodles go so well with so many different flavors is one of my favorite things about them. For example, freshly cracked pepper is on the list of what to serve with zucchini noodles.
A wonderful and nutritious dish is created when the zucchini noodles absorb the pepper taste. Add some grilled chicken or shrimp if you want a heartier supper.
Add some sauteed mushrooms or roasted red peppers for a vegetarian option. Add some chopped nuts or crumbled feta cheese to the dish’s finish for some crunch.
6. Garlic
Garlic is a must when it comes to cooking with zucchini noodles. It’s so easy, too. Just add minced garlic cloves to a pan and cook until they’re fragrant, and then add in the zucchini noodles and stir-fry them together until they’re soft!
Meanwhile, Garlic pairs well with cream cheese, butter, olive oil, or any other type of oil you may want to use, as well as salt and pepper.
Another way to make your dish flavorful is by adding dried herbs like basil or oregano, which work well in Italian and Greek dishes!
7. Basil
Zucchini noodles are a great way to cut down on your carb intake and sneak in some extra veggies. If you’re looking for what to serve with zucchini noodles, try drizzling them with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt before cooking them.
Once they’ve finished cooking, toss them in a bowl with fresh basil leaves (chopped or whole), cherry tomatoes (sliced), and black pepper.
This dish is so simple, but it tastes delicious! The delicate flavor of basil complements the subtle taste of zucchini, and the two ingredients work together to create a refreshing and satisfying meal.
The addition of lemon juice adds another dimension to this dish while also adding vitamin C, which boosts your immune system during cold and flu season.
You can also use pesto sauce instead of or in addition to the basil – just be sure to watch out for any dairy products if you are following a vegan diet.
8. Spinach
Zucchini noodles are a great alternative to traditional pasta. Their high water content makes them light and refreshing, and they can be prepared in no time, so the dish is ready in minutes.
They go well with just about any sauce you can think of, but they’re a particularly good match for creamy or cheesy sauces, like Alfredo sauce, melted cheese, or pesto.
9. Mushrooms
If you are looking for what to serve with zucchini noodles, mushrooms are a great option. Arugula and Mushroom Ragu over Zucchini Noodles.
For this recipe, you will need olive oil, shallots, garlic cloves, arugula (or spinach), tomatoes, mushrooms, and parsley.
Sautee the shallots and garlic in the olive oil until they are fragrant and then add the arugula or spinach leaves. Next, cook them down for about a minute before adding chopped tomatoes.
Add salt and pepper before stirring in the mushrooms and cooking for about 10 minutes over medium heat or until all vegetables are cooked through.
10. Olives
In addition to being delicious and nutritious, olives are among the most sustainable foods you can eat.
They grow on trees instead of being harvested from the ground like many other crops. For these reasons, they’re also lower in carbon footprint than many other vegetables.
Olives provide a significant source of monounsaturated fat (an essential fatty acid). Which is important for maintaining healthy blood cholesterol levels already within the normal range.
11. Artichokes
Zucchini noodles go so great with artichokes! Simply cut one artichoke into thin strips and sauté them in oil until they are cooked through.
For an amazing treat, serve over zoodles (or standard pasta) and top with parmesan cheese. That is it! What to serve with zucchini noodles?
12. Anchovies
You might not think of anchovies when you think of serving them with zucchini noodles, but know assuredly that they make a fantastic combination! Anchovies’ salty, umami flavor blends beautifully with zucchini noodles’ light, fresh flavor.
Additionally, this combo is very calorie-efficient and healthful. So don’t look much further than anchovies with zucchini noodles for a tasty and wholesome lunch.
13. Capers
Wondering what to serve with zucchini noodles? Another excellent method to spice up your zucchini noodle recipe is with capers.
They are tiny, tasty pickles that are already in their own vinegar brine, so you don’t need to season or salt them before using them in your recipe.
Capers can be used straight from the jar in soups, sauces, or even salads for a flavor explosion that will instantly awaken your taste senses.
14. Lemon Juice
The last on our list of what to serve with zucchini noodles is lemon juice. Squeeze lemon juice over your zucchini noodles, or add a touch of salt and pepper. This will brighten up the dish and give it some extra flavor.
Also, you can try serving it with fresh or dried herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme, olive oil, sesame seeds, chile flakes, chopped walnuts, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese. The sky is the limit for what you can do!
