Zucchini Noodles with Butter and Parmesan

An easy keto zucchini noodles recipe that closely mimics the experience of eating real pasta. The cheesy, garlicky strands are unbelievably good!

Zoodles with butter and parmesan are amazing. They are so close to the experience of eating buttered noodles!

I’ve been making this recipe often over the past few years. It’s delicious. Savoring the cheesy, garlicky strands, I always think to myself, well, it’s not EXACTLY like real pasta, but it’s surprisingly close!

Given that you can now use packaged premade zoodles, which wasn’t an option a few years ago, this is also a very easy recipe. It’s literally ready in ten minutes.

The ingredients needed for making this recipe

You will only need a few simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

1. Fresh zucchinis
2. Butter
3. Garlic
4. Salt and pepper
5. Red pepper flakes
6. Grated Parmesan

How do you create the noodle shapes?

I started making this recipe back in 2014. Back then, I used a sharp knife to thinly slice fresh zucchinis into thin strands. I was frankly too scared to use a mandoline slicer. I’m on the clumsy side, and it didn’t seem worth the risk.

Later, I learned that one can buy a spiralizer, supposedly a safer instrument for spiralizing vegetables. Stubbornly, I continued slicing the zucchinis by hand.

As I write here to update this recipe, in 2019, I am so happy that grocery stores now sell packaged zoodles (I get mine at Whole Foods). So convenient! And sliced much more evenly than my hand-spiralized zucchini.

How to make buttered zucchini noodles

It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

1. Make the noodles by cutting them by hand or using a spiralizer. Or buy them already spiralized.
2. Cook the strands and some minced garlic in butter.
3. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and parmesan.

Is it just like eating pasta?

No, of course not. Like many other healthy substitutes, this is an excellent substitution, and I do find it’s very close to the real thing. But it’s still a substitute, making it appropriate for those willing to compromise a bit in order to eat a healthy diet.

Are zucchini noodles healthy?

I believe they are. Zucchinis are very healthy. Replacing starchy pasta with zucchini is probably a smart move. And while this recipe contains butter and cheese, for most healthy people, this shouldn’t be a concern.

However, if you have a specific issue that requires you to minimize your consumption of dietary cholesterol or saturated fat, you might want to use olive oil instead of butter, and perhaps reduce the cheese.

What about leftovers?

You can keep leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for about 3 days. Reheat them gently, covered, in the microwave on 50% power.

More zucchini recipes that you might like

If you have zucchini in the fridge and would like more ideas for using it, try this amazing low carb zucchini lasagna. It’s an involved recipe that requires quite a bit of work, but it’s really, really good.

A much easier, and very good recipe is this recipe for balsamic grilled zucchini. It’s the perfect summertime side dish!

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4.98 from 35 votes

Zucchini Noodles Recipe

An easy, low carb zucchini noodles recipe that closely mimics the experience of eating real pasta. The cheesy, garlicky strands are unbelievably good!

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: zucchini

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 185

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium zucchinis, unpeeled, ends trimmed (total weight 14 oz, 400g)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan

INSTRUCTIONS

• Using a sharp chef’s knife, slice each zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices, as thin as you can. Slice each of those slices into thin, noodle-like strands. Don’t worry about it if your slices aren’t even.
• Alternatively, make your life easy and buy packaged zucchini noodles at the grocery store. I get mine at Whole Foods.
• Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When melted and foamy, add the zucchini noodles. Cook, stirring often, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 1 more minute. Turn heat off.
• To the cooked zucchini noodles in the skillet, add the salt, pepper, pepper flakes and Parmesan. Mix and serve.

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NUTRITION INFO Nutrition info is approximate. It is calculated using the SparkPeople.com recipe calculator, and the carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Please read the disclaimers in our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Please verify they are before using.

Nutrition Facts

Zucchini Noodles Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 185 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Sodium 474mg21%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 6g12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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