Zucchini is a quick and easy gluten-free, grain-free, paleo pasta alternative—you don't even have to cook the zoodles. But if you want it a little softer, you can blanch it in boiling water for a couple of minutes. Or just add it to the pan with whatever sauce you are making for the last few minutes of cooking. Zucchini pasta works well with just about any sauce and also makes a great cold salad.
Here are a few different ways to make zucchini pasta:
- Use a vegetable peeler to make long thin strips of zucchini. Continue around the zucchini until you get to the seeds. You can do thin or wide strips.
- Use a julienne peeler. Continue around the zucchini until you get to the seeds.
- Slice the zucchini with a mandolin that juliennes. Or just slice it on the thinnest setting, and then cut the slices into noodles.
- Use a vegetable spiralizer . This is my favorite method, and how I made the zucchini pasta in the photo above. Just put the zucchini in the spiralizer and turn the handle.
Once the zucchini pasta is cut, you can salt and drain the zucchini in a colander to remove some of the moisture. Let it drain for at least 20 minutes, then press the zucchini to remove the liquid or lay it on a dish towel to dry. I tend to skip this step if I'm in a hurry. I did not drain the zucchini in the photo above. It went straight from the spiral slicer onto the cutting board, then into my garlic roasted shrimp as soon as I took the photo.
More easy paleo dinner recipes
Paleo spiralizer recipes to try
Mary-Irene
January 9 at 6:37 amThis looks easy ! I have been trying to incorporate more veggies into our meals, and this blog is full of ideas. My youngest child is a very picky eater. He will not touch a vegetable or a fruit. My oldest would eat veg and fruits all day if I let him.
I’ve never thought of substituting zucchini for pasta. Is this a better alternative than spaghetti squash from the nutrition/health point of view?
Lisa
January 9 at 1:48 pmIt’s very easy – and zucchini is a good source of vitamin C.
katie
May 19 at 12:14 pmSo u dont cook it at all like pasta right??
Lisa
May 20 at 11:06 amCooking is optional – you can eat it raw or toss it in a hot sauce for a few minutes if you want softer noodles.
Patricia Campbell
December 11 at 9:22 amNo. Zoodles cook quickly. You can blanch them or stir fry or saute them quickly. Boiling them like pasta will make them “melt”
Kari
August 29 at 10:23 pmHave you ever tried freezing these?
Lisa
August 30 at 3:58 pmKari, I have not tried freezing them. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Linda
March 21 at 6:05 pmYou can buy frozen ones so you should be able to freeze your own without cooking first
Kessie Moro
February 18 at 2:21 pmI am very new to cooking. What kind of sauces would you recommend with this? And if I boil it in water, for how many minutes?
Lisa
February 18 at 6:38 pmKessie, zucchini noodles would work with just about any type of sauce. A couple suggestions are garlic shrimp and walnut pesto. If you blanch them, they just need 1 – 2 minutes in salted boiling water. Then plunge them in ice water to stop the cooking. Here’s a link to how to blanch vegetables.
Linda
January 10 at 10:08 amI just purchased a Paderno spiralizer and am looking forward to using it a great deal.I have a couple of questions: I’m wondering if I should peel the zucchini first as it looks like you might have in the photo. And do you have any tips on using this odd-looking gadget? Other than keep well clear of the scary-looking blades… Thanks, just subscribed to your site and looking forward to trying your recipes.
Lisa
January 11 at 5:12 pmAwesome! Peeling the zucchini is completely optional – it just depends on how you like it. As for tips, it’s easier to clean the spiralizer right after you use it. And definitely be careful of the blades – they are sharp! 🙂
Patricia Campbell
December 11 at 11:52 amI love my paderno spiralizer!
Lisa
December 11 at 1:24 pmMe too, Patricia!
Roberta
May 25 at 12:29 pmI plung the zucchini & baby spinach for 1/2 minute in boiled salted water, drain immediately , drizzle w/ lemon/olive oil & stir in basil pesto…, I do peel the zucchini first…love this as a side with grilled chicken or salmon pan seared with basil pesto…yummy!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
January 4 at 9:49 ami ADORE zucchini pasta! I have a manual spiralizer but itching for a fancy one (on my bday wish list). I could spiralize to my little heart’s content! This is a great post for those newbies that have never tried veggie pasta alternatives!
Lisa
January 4 at 4:17 pmI love my spiralizer, Chrissa! You can make so many things with it!