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Learn > Nutrition > Recipes

profile avatar Kristin Rooke Contributor

Delicious Zucchini Noodles with Salmon & Avocado

By Kristin Rooke - Updated 7/7/2022
Updated 7/7/2022

Do you love pasta but don’t want all the carbs? Want to lose weight but also eat your favorite comfort food? Then you definitely have to try zucchini noodles. This vegetable provides a lot of nutrients for very few calories, so you’re not only satisfying your pasta craving but you’re getting a lot of nutritional benefits too.

Zucchini Is A Nutrition Powerhouse

Besides being low-carb, there are a number of other reasons you should try zucchini noodles. Zucchini is a type of summer squash that’s high in a bunch of antioxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are mostly found in the skin of the vegetable and may help protect your eyes against macular degeneration1 (so don’t peel the skin off!).

Zucchinis are also a great source of pectin, a type of starch that can improve blood sugar regulation and protect against diabetes2. Additionally, studies show zucchini can have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits. Does traditional pasta pack that kind of nutritional punch? I don’t think so.

What’s even better is that zucchini noodles, otherwise known as zoodles, are incredibly easy to make. All you need is a knife or vegetable spiralizer, a zucchini, and a skillet.

Zucchini Noodle Recipe Facts

This recipe makes 2 servings, depending on your appetite.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes

Zoodles, per cupWheat Pasta, per cup
Calories78 cal220 cal
Fat7g1.29g
Carbohydrates4g42.95g
Protein1g8.06g

Zucchini Noodle Ingredients

Zucchini-Noodle-Preparation

IngredientAmount
Zucchini1 large, about 2 cups
Olive Oil1 tbsp
SaltTo taste
Optional: Herbs or Vegetable SeasoningTo taste

Zucchini Noodle Cooking Instructions

1. Spiralize your zucchini.

Zucchini-Noodle-Preparation

Using a spiralizer (affiliate link): You can choose between thicker or thinner zoodles, depending on which side of the spiralizer you use. Twist the zucchini through the blade to make your zucchini noodles. After a few twists, take the zucchini out of the spiralizer to break the strands, and then keep going until you’ve spiralized the whole zucchini.

Using a knife: Cut off the ends of your zucchini, and then cut it lengthwise into 4-8 strips. Julienne your zucchini by slicing it lengthwise into thin strips.

2. Sauté your zoodles over medium heat.

Skillet-Zoodles

Heat the olive oil in a cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and stir. Season with salt and optional herbs or vegetable seasoning. Sauté for about 2 minutes, so the zucchini still has a slight crunch.

3. Serve and Eat!

Zoodles

Salmon & Avocado Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles (sautéed with olive oil) have about 1/3 of the calories of traditional, plain spaghetti. How do you turn zoodles into a complete meal? One idea is to serve your zucchini noodles with salmon, avocado, and marinara sauce. You’ll get a protein-packed, filling meal that’s nutrient-dense, tastes great, and satisfies your pasta craving.

Salmon-Avo-Zoodles

Make this dish using 1 cup zoodles, 4 oz wild-caught salmon, ½ avocado, and ½ cup marinara. This recipe is completely paleo, low-carb, and delicious.

Salmon Avocado Zucchini Noodles
Calories398 cal
Fat26g
Carbohydrates16g
Protein27g

If you have any recipe modifications or substitutions, we’d love to know what you do. How do you eat your zoodles? Let us know in the comments below.

Show 2 References

  1. Chew EY, Clemons TE, Sangiovanni JPet al. Secondary analyses of the effects of lutein/zeaxanthin on age-related macular degeneration progression:AREDS2report No. 3. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2014;132(2):142-9. ↩
  2. Lattimer JM, Haub MD.Effects of dietary fiber and its components on metabolic health.Nutrients. 2010;2(12):1266-89. ↩
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