Delicious Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

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Published: 19/02/2025


Delicious Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

Looking for a healthy and delicious meal that satisfies your pasta cravings? Our Delicious Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce recipe is the perfect choice. This dish combines the fresh, light taste of zucchini noodles with the rich, savory flavors of marinara sauce, offering a delightful low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.

Zucchini noodles, often referred to as 'zoodles', are not only a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite pasta dishes without the extra carbs, but they also add a nutritional punch to your meal. Zucchinis are rich in vitamins and minerals, making them a great base for any sauce. In this recipe, the zucchini noodles are gently sautéed to maintain their tender-crisp texture, providing the perfect vessel for the marinara sauce.

The marinara sauce is a classic Italian favorite, made with ripe tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a blend of herbs like basil and oregano. It’s simmered to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a sauce that is both hearty and aromatic. This sauce complements the zucchini noodles wonderfully, creating a balanced and satisfying dish.

This recipe is ideal for those who are looking to enjoy a wholesome meal without compromising on flavor. Whether you are following a low-carb diet, are gluten-free, or simply want to try something new, this Delicious Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Serve it up for lunch or dinner, and enjoy a taste of Italy right at home!

Serving size :4 people
Calories :250 kcal
Sugar :8.00 g
Fat :16.00 g
Carbohydrates :30.00 g
Protein :5.00 g
Cholesterol :100 mg

Ingredients :

Instructions :

1Begin by washing the zucchini thoroughly under cool running water, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel.
2Use a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler to create zucchini noodles by cutting the zucchini into long, thin strips resembling traditional pasta. Set the zucchini noodles aside.
3Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4Add the minced garlic and finely chopped onion to the skillet, and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
5Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and stir in the tomato paste until well combined.
6Add the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes to the tomato mixture, and stir to incorporate the spices evenly.
7Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste, and let it simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
8While the sauce is simmering, heat another large skillet over medium heat.
9Add a small amount of olive oil if desired, and once hot, add the zucchini noodles to the skillet.
10Sauté the zucchini noodles for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are tender but still have a slight crunch. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy.
11Remove the zucchini noodles from the heat and drain any excess liquid if necessary.
12Once the marinara sauce has thickened to your liking, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
13Serve the zucchini noodles topped with the marinara sauce.
14Garnish with fresh basil leaves for added flavor and color.
15If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.
16Enjoy your Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce immediately as a light and healthy meal.

Notes :

  • Ensure all ingredients are fresh, especially the zucchini, garlic, and onion, for the best flavor and texture.
  • When selecting zucchini, look for medium-sized ones that are firm and free of blemishes.
  • A spiralizer is ideal for creating uniform zucchini noodles, but a vegetable peeler can also be used for a ribbon-like effect.
  • If using a spiralizer, be cautious while operating it to avoid injury.
  • Pat the zucchini dry thoroughly to remove any excess moisture, as this will prevent the noodles from becoming too watery.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on personal preference for spiciness.
  • Use high-quality olive oil for a richer taste in both the sauce and zucchini noodles.
  • Mince the garlic finely to ensure even distribution and flavor in the sauce.
  • Finely chop the onion to help it cook evenly and blend seamlessly into the sauce.
  • Opt for canned crushed tomatoes without added seasonings to better control the flavor of the sauce.
  • Stir the tomato paste thoroughly into the crushed tomatoes to avoid any clumps.
  • Taste the marinara sauce before adding salt, as canned tomatoes can vary in saltiness.
  • Letting the sauce simmer allows the flavors to meld together and thicken.
  • Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan and burning.
  • Cooking the zucchini noodles separately from the sauce helps maintain their texture.
  • Monitor the zucchini noodles closely while cooking to ensure they don't become overcooked and mushy.
  • Draining any excess liquid from the zucchini noodles will prevent the final dish from being watery.
  • Fresh basil leaves add a burst of flavor and a pop of color to the dish.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
  • Serve the dish immediately to enjoy the zucchini noodles at their optimal texture.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be adapted for various dietary preferences.

Tips :

  • Choose zucchinis that are firm and free of blemishes for the best texture.
  • If you don't have a spiralizer, a julienne peeler or mandoline can also be used to make zucchini noodles.
  • Patting the zucchini dry helps prevent excess moisture when cooking.
  • To avoid mushy noodles, cook them just until they're tender with a slight crunch.
  • Use a non-stick skillet to prevent the zucchini noodles from sticking.
  • Adjust the level of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the sauce.
  • Consider adding a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes if desired.
  • Stir the sauce occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pan and to help it thicken evenly.
  • Freshly cracked black pepper can enhance the flavor of the sauce.
  • If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or vegetable broth to reach the desired consistency.
  • For a richer flavor, allow the sauce to simmer longer.
  • Fresh basil leaves can be chopped or left whole for garnish.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor if adding it as a topping.
  • Serve the dish immediately for the best texture and taste.
  • Store any leftover sauce separately from the noodles to maintain the noodles' texture when reheating.
  • Zucchini noodles are a great low-carb alternative to traditional pasta.

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4.5 from 12 reviews

Delicious Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce

Servingsize: 4 people Calories: 250 kcal Sugar: 8.00 g Fat: 16.00 g Carbohydrates: 30.00 g Protein: 5.00 g Cholesterol: 100 mg

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Readers comments and reviews

Alexander says: 10/03/2025 14:32
I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying this meal was! The marinara sauce was rich and flavorful, making the zucchini noodles a fantastic choice. Highly recommend!
James says: 04/03/2025 22:38
Absolutely loved this recipe! The zucchini noodles were perfectly cooked and paired wonderfully with the marinara sauce. A healthy and delicious alternative to pasta!
Gabriel says: 01/03/2025 04:12
This dish is a game changer! The flavors were incredible, and I didn't miss traditional pasta at all. Will definitely make it again!
Gabriel says: 27/02/2025 19:32
I was pleasantly surprised by how satisfying this meal was! The zucchini noodles had the perfect texture and the marinara sauce was delicious. Five stars all the way!
Charlie says: 26/02/2025 19:05
Absolutely loved this recipe! The zucchini noodles were a perfect substitute for pasta and the marinara sauce was rich and flavorful. I’ll definitely make this again!
Isla says: 24/02/2025 12:16
This dish is a game changer! I never thought I’d enjoy zucchini noodles this much. The sauce tied everything together beautifully. Highly recommend!
Sebastian says: 20/02/2025 23:49
I really enjoyed this recipe! The zucchini noodles were a nice twist, but I wish the sauce had a little more depth of flavor.
James says: 20/02/2025 13:29
I liked the idea of using zucchini noodles, but the marinara sauce could be improved for a richer taste.
William says: 20/02/2025 13:11
This recipe was pretty tasty! The zucchini noodles were fun to eat, but I felt the marinara sauce was a bit too thin.
Charlie says: 20/02/2025 11:28
These zucchini noodles were a great alternative to pasta, but I found the marinara sauce a bit too tangy for my taste.
William says: 20/02/2025 10:41
The dish was good, but I think it could use some extra seasoning to really elevate the flavors.
Elijah says: 20/02/2025 10:21
Overall, a solid recipe! Just a few tweaks to the sauce would make it perfect for my palate.