Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

Zucchini Noodles with Pesto

Julia

Zucchini noodles with pesto is a fresh, vibrant dish that transforms simple vegetables into a satisfying gluten-free meal. This recipe embraces the spiralized zucchini trend that has taken the culinary world by storm, offering a lighter alternative to traditional pasta while delivering all the flavor and satisfaction you crave. The delicate, slightly sweet zucchini noodles provide the perfect canvas for a rich, aromatic basil pesto that coats every strand with herbaceous goodness.

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and versatility. While pesto originated in Genoa, Italy, where it was traditionally made with a mortar and pestle, this modern interpretation pairs the classic sauce with spiralized vegetables for a contemporary, health-conscious twist. The combination of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and quality olive oil creates a sauce that's both indulgent and nutritious, packed with healthy fats and antioxidants.

This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be prepared in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen. The zucchini noodles require minimal cooking—just a quick sauté to warm them through while maintaining their pleasant texture. The result is a dish that's light yet satisfying, with bright flavors that celebrate the essence of fresh, quality ingredients. Whether you're following a gluten-free diet or simply looking to incorporate more vegetables into your meals, this zucchini noodle pesto bowl delivers on taste, nutrition, and convenience.

Nutrition

20 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 36.00g
Carbs 11.00g
Protein 9.00g

Ingredients

4 wholemedium zucchini, spiralized into noodles
2 cupsfresh basil leaves, packed
3 wholegarlic cloves, peeled
1/3 cuppine nuts
1/2 cupParmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/2 cupextra virgin olive oil
1 tbsplemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 tspsalt
1/4 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
2 tbspolive oil, for cooking
1 cupcherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
1/4 cupfresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
2 tbspParmesan cheese, shaved, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Food processor
measuring spoons
measuring cups
paper towels
knife
large skillet
colander
grater
spiralizer
kitchen tongs

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense recipe is perfect for 16:8 intermittent fasting eating windows, providing sustained energy from healthy fats, fiber-rich vegetables, and quality protein that helps maintain satiety throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe fits the 80/20 approach with well over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods (zucchini, fresh basil, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts) that are anti-inflammatory and rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe supports anti-inflammatory eating with its abundance of fresh vegetables, extra virgin olive oil rich in polyphenols, antioxidant-packed basil and garlic, and omega-3 containing pine nuts, while avoiding processed foods and refined carbohydrates.

Clean Eating

This recipe embodies clean eating principles with its use of whole, recognizable ingredients in their natural state—fresh zucchini, basil, garlic, pine nuts, and quality olive oil—without any refined sugars, artificial additives, or processed components.

Flexitarian Diet

This recipe is perfectly flexitarian with its plant-forward approach, featuring vegetables as the main component (zucchini noodles) and emphasizing whole, minimally processed ingredients like fresh basil, nuts, and quality olive oil.

Gluten-Free Diet

This naturally gluten-free recipe uses spiralized zucchini instead of wheat-based pasta, with all other ingredients (fresh vegetables, olive oil, pine nuts, Parmesan) being naturally gluten-free, making it safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features extra virgin olive oil rich in monounsaturated fats, abundant vegetables, and pine nuts, while being naturally low in saturated fat and sodium, supporting cardiovascular health through whole food ingredients.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense recipe is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, quality protein from Parmesan, and fiber-rich vegetables that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal that honors both nutrition and pleasure, featuring fresh ingredients and rich textures that provide genuine satisfaction without restriction or food rules.

Low-Carb Diet

Perfect for low-carb eating, this recipe uses spiralized zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta, keeping net carbs well under 15g per serving while delivering satisfying texture and flavor from the rich pesto sauce and healthy fats.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe fits Mayo Clinic Diet guidelines by emphasizing abundant vegetables (zucchini and tomatoes), healthy fats from olive oil and nuts, and whole food ingredients while avoiding refined grains, processed foods, and excessive calories.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe exemplifies Mediterranean Diet principles with its generous use of extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables (zucchini, tomatoes, basil), and heart-healthy ingredients like pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. The dish emphasizes plant-based ingredients while using traditional Mediterranean flavors and cooking methods.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its variety of textures (tender zucchini noodles, crunchy pine nuts), vibrant colors (green basil, red tomatoes), and aromatic fresh ingredients that engage all the senses and encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each bite.

Vegetarian Diet

This completely vegetarian recipe features no meat, poultry, or fish, relying on plant-based ingredients like zucchini, basil, and pine nuts, with protein and calcium from Parmesan cheese, making it a satisfying meatless meal.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by emphasizing vegetables as the base, using lean ingredients, and incorporating healthy fats in moderation. The zucchini noodles provide volume and satisfaction while keeping the dish nutrient-dense and portion-friendly.

Instructions

1

Spiralize the zucchini into noodles using a spiralizer. Place the zucchini noodles in a colander and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Let them sit for 10 minutes to release excess moisture, then gently press with paper towels to absorb the liquid.

12 min
2

In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, garlic cloves, and pine nuts. Pulse several times until coarsely chopped.

1 min
3

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse to combine.

4

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil through the feed tube until the pesto is smooth and well combined. Scrape down the sides as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

1 min
5

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

1 min
6
3 min

Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently with tongs, until just tender but still slightly crisp. Do not overcook or they will become mushy.

7

Remove the skillet from heat. Add the prepared pesto to the zucchini noodles and toss well to coat evenly, ensuring every strand is covered with the vibrant green sauce.

1 min
8

Divide the pesto zucchini noodles among four serving plates. If using, top with halved cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions