Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Spiralised zucchini tossed with cherry tomatoes and pesto and topped with Parmesan and pine nuts. Two servings in 15 minutes.
Before You Start
Cut the noodles to a manageable length with scissors if they come out very long.
If you prefer them softer, add a minute in the pan, but expect more water to collect.
Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan until golden, stirring constantly, since they burn in seconds.
How to Make Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
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Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes, until they start to burst.
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Add the zucchini noodles and toss for 2 minutes, until just tender but still with some bite. If a lot of water collects in the pan, pour it off.
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Take the pan off the heat, add the pesto and pepper and toss until the noodles are coated.
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Divide between two bowls and top with the Parmesan and pine nuts.
Why the Method Works
A quick supper or lunch for two: 15 minutes, one pan and a jar of pesto. Zucchini noodles stand in for pasta and take about 2 minutes to cook, which is the whole point. Pesto does the seasoning. There is almost nothing else to buy. A spiraliser makes the noodles in a minute; a vegetable peeler makes wider ribbons, which hold up well too.
The risk with zucchini noodles is water. They release it fast. Cook them for 2 minutes only, toss them with the pesto off the heat and eat at once, or the sauce turns thin. A hot, wide pan helps, because the water evaporates before it can pool. Pat them in a clean tea towel if they look wet before they go in the pan.
Cherry tomatoes soften into a quick, juicy sauce in the same pan. Shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts add salt and crunch. Pesto brands vary in salt. Check the label.
Storage and Reheating
Best eaten straight away. Zucchini noodles release water as they stand, so leftovers will be soft.
Serving Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
- A tomato and basil salad
- Grilled chicken
- A poached egg on top
Questions and Answers
How long does Zucchini Noodles with Pesto take to make?
About 15 minutes in total — 10 minutes of preparation and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 2.
What are the key tips for making Zucchini Noodles with Pesto?
Cut the noodles to a manageable length with scissors if they come out very long. If you prefer them softer, add a minute in the pan, but expect more water to collect. Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan until golden, stirring constantly, since they burn in seconds.
What should I serve with Zucchini Noodles with Pesto?
A tomato and basil salad; Grilled chicken; A poached egg on top.
Is Zucchini Noodles with Pesto suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Zucchini Noodles with Pesto?
About 371 kcal per serving, with 10 g protein, 13 g carbohydrate and 31 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutrition per Serving
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
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