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!

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    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

    How do you make zucchini noodles not soggy? ›

    Salt and wrap your zoodles.

    Post-spiralizing the zucchini, lightly salt your zoods with kosher salt and wrap them in paper towels. Let them sit for about 10–15 minutes — just enough time for the salt to extract the moisture.

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

    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. Lighter: Zucchini is not nearly as filling or heavy in the stomach, making it ideal for a lighter meal.

    Are zucchini noodles a good substitute for pasta? ›

    Zucchini noodles (also known as zoodles) are a great low-carb or gluten free substitute for traditional wheat pasta. Zoodles can be made a few different ways using either a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or mandoline. They can also be prepared in multiple ways such as microwaved, sauteed, baked, boiled, or eaten raw.

    Should you salt zucchini noodles before cooking? ›

    Should I Salt Zucchini Noodles? 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.

    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.

    Does Olive Garden use zucchini noodles? ›

    As of yesterday, the Italian chain's carb-heavy menu got a bit lighter with the introduction of Zoodles Primavera. Ahead of summer, Olive Garden is adding the zucchini noodle dish as a healthier alternative to similar, higher calorie offerings. Here's a hot take for you: Better for you can also mean better tasting.

    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 my zucchini noodles get watery? ›

    If you cook noodles too long in the skillet and they're already looking limp and soggy, they're going to be even soggier topped with sauce on your plate. 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.

    Does spiralized zucchini taste like pasta? ›

    While zucchini noodles do not taste exactly like pasta noodles, if you cook them properly (meaning until they are al dente, not mushy), they are surprisingly satisfying.

    Does Trader Joe's have spiralized zucchini? ›

    Whether you're on a low-carb meal plan or just want to find a tasty way to sneak more veggies into your diet, Trader Joe's new gochujang stir-fry made with zucchini spirals has you covered.

    How long do zoodles last in the fridge? ›

    Zucchini noodles are best fresh, but if you want to make them ahead, place them in a paper towel-lined storage container and keep them in the fridge for no more than two days.

    Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›

    Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

    How do you firm up 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.

    How long to salt zucchini to remove moisture? ›

    If you do not have kosher salt on hand, use a teaspoon or so of regular table salt. 1. Place zucchini slices in colander and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Set colander over bowl until about 1/3 cup water drains from zucchini, about 30 minutes.

    Are you supposed to boil zucchini noodles? ›

    Don't! We like our regular pasta with a nice al dente bite, and the same goes for cooking zoodles! If you serve a warm sauce over the noodles, it will gently heat them through, so no actual cooking is necessary.

    References

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