The Zesty Zucchini Spaghetti Recipe Your Family Will Love

Summer’s bounty bursts with flavor in this zucchini spaghetti delight that turns ordinary vegetables into a mouthwatering meal.

Spiralized zucchini noodles dance with rich, vibrant sauce, creating a light yet satisfying dish.

Fresh herbs and garlic infuse each twirl with incredible depth and aroma.

The recipe balances nutrition and taste in one elegant plate.

Colorful and quick to prepare, these veggie noodles offer a delightful alternative to traditional pasta.

Each bite promises a fresh, zesty experience that will have you reaching for seconds.

Dive into this delectable culinary adventure and savor every delicious moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes Into Zucchini Spaghetti

• Sunflower Oil: Helps achieve golden color and crisp texture for zucchini, choose cold-pressed for richer flavor.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds smooth, silky finish and authentic Mediterranean touch, select high-quality oils for best taste.

• Zucchini: Fresh summer squash providing light, tender texture, select firm and bright green for maximum flavor.
• Basil: Brings bright, herbaceous aroma, choose fresh leaves with vibrant green color for intense taste.

• Spaghetti: Classic Italian pasta creating perfect vehicle for sauce, select high-quality semolina wheat variety.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning, provides balanced flavor profile throughout dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Creates creamy richness and depth, choose freshly grated for best melting properties.

Tools to Spiral and Sauté Zucchini Right

• Large Pot: Essential for frying zucchini and boiling pasta, with enough capacity to handle ingredients comfortably.
• Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing fried zucchini from hot oil while allowing excess oil to drain.
• Paper Towels: Helps absorb extra oil from fried zucchini slices.
• Mixing Bowl: Needed for seasoning zucchini with basil, salt, and olive oil.
• Large Skillet: Used for combining pasta and zucchini, creating the final creamy dish.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for grating fresh parmesan cheese.
• Colander: Helps drain cooked spaghetti quickly and efficiently.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for tossing and mixing pasta with zucchini and cheese.

Instructions for Making a Light Pasta Alternative

• Zucchini Magic

Slice zucchini into delicate ribbons and heat sunflower oil in a large pot. Fry those green beauties until they turn a gorgeous golden color, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to remove extra oil.

• Zucchini Flavor Boost

Toss the crispy zucchini with fragrant basil and a whisper of salt. Drizzle with silky olive oil and mix gently to create a burst of Mediterranean flavors.

• Pasta Dance

Bring water to a rolling boil and cook spaghetti until it’s perfectly tender. Save a splash of pasta water before draining – this liquid gold will be your secret weapon.

• Pasta and Zucchini Harmony

Combine spaghetti and zucchini in a warm skillet. Stir and swirl, slowly adding reserved pasta water to create a dreamy, creamy sauce that hugs every strand of pasta.

• Cheese Cloud

Sprinkle parmesan over the pasta, stirring continuously. Watch as the cheese melts into a luxurious blanket, coating each piece with rich, salty goodness.

• Final Flourish

Drizzle with extra olive oil and serve immediately. Invite guests to add extra parmesan for an indulgent touch.

Add-Ins Like Cherry Tomatoes or Parmesan

• Zesty Zucchini Spaghetti Secrets
• Oil Temperature Trick: Use a wooden spoon to test the oil's heat – when small bubbles form around the handle, it's perfectly ready for frying zucchini slices.
• Moisture Management: Pat zucchini slices dry with paper towels before frying to ensure a crispy golden texture and prevent excess oil absorption.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Grate parmesan cheese freshly at room temperature for smoother melting and better sauce coating on the pasta.
• Pasta Water Power: The starchy reserved pasta water acts like a secret sauce ingredient, helping create a silky, clingy texture that helps cheese and zucchini adhere perfectly to spaghetti.
• Herb Harmony: Experiment with fresh herbs like oregano or thyme alongside basil to add extra depth and complexity to the dish's flavor profile.

Serve Zucchini Pasta with Chicken or Fish

• Fresh Garden Party Plating: Arrange the zucchini spaghetti on a rustic wooden board with small sprigs of fresh basil scattered around, creating a vibrant and inviting presentation that celebrates the dish's natural colors.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Set out a small decorative bowl filled with extra grated parmesan and a delicate cheese grater, allowing guests to customize their cheese intensity and add a personal touch to their meal.
• Mediterranean Mezze Style: Serve alongside small plates of marinated olives, sliced cherry tomatoes, and crusty artisan bread to complement the zucchini spaghetti, transforming the dish into a more expansive dining experience with Mediterranean flair.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Choose a crisp, light white wine like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc that will enhance the delicate zucchini and herbal basil notes, elevating the entire dining experience with a refreshing accompaniment.

Store This Dish Without Turning Mushy

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover zucchini spaghetti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of olive oil to restore original texture and prevent dryness. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking.
• Extended Freshness Tip: Consume refrigerated zucchini spaghetti within 3-4 days for optimal taste and quality. Keep refrigerator temperature consistently below 40°F to slow bacterial growth and maintain food safety.
• Freezing Option: While not ideal due to zucchini's water content, portion the dish in freezer-safe containers if needed. Freeze for up to 2 weeks, understanding texture might slightly change upon thawing. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Crispy Zucchini Spaghetti Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Zucchini spaghetti delight combines fresh spiralized vegetables with classic Italian flavors. Creamy parmesan sauce and herb-infused zucchini noodles create a light, satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 zucchini (medium, thinly sliced, about 2.5 lbs or 1.13 kg)
• 1 lb spaghetti
• 2 cups (200 g) parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ quart (473 ml or 2 cups) sunflower or vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Kosher salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prep Zucchini: Sizzle sunflower oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, transforming zucchini slices into golden, crispy medallions within 5-6 minutes. Drain excess oil on paper towels to preserve their delicate crunch.
2. Flavor Infusion: Merge caramelized zucchini with fragrant basil leaves and a whisper of kosher salt. Anoint the mixture with extra virgin olive oil, gently massaging to marry the vibrant flavors.
3. Pasta Performance: Bring a substantial water vessel to a rolling boil, immersing spaghetti until achieving perfect al dente resilience. Reserve two cups of starchy pasta water before draining, which will become the secret to a velvety sauce.
4. Sauce Symphony: In a spacious skillet over medium-low heat, unite the drained pasta with seasoned zucchini. Choreograph a continuous tossing motion, gradually introducing reserved pasta water to orchestrate a creamy, cohesive texture.
5. Cheese Finale: Cascade parmesan cheese over the pasta, continuously folding to ensure a uniform, luxurious coating. Fine-tune seasoning with additional salt, balancing the dish’s flavor profile.
6. Presentation Perfection: Embellish with a graceful olive oil drizzle. Serve immediately, steaming hot, accompanied by a generous parmesan cheese offering for passionate cheese enthusiasts.

Notes

• Zucchini Crisping Technique: Achieve golden-brown edges by using high heat and avoiding overcrowding the skillet, which prevents steaming and ensures a perfect caramelized texture.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserved starchy water is crucial for creating a silky, emulsified sauce that helps ingredients cling together and adds depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Cheese Incorporation Tip: Add parmesan gradually and off-heat to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, even distribution throughout the dish.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium-low heat when combining ingredients to prevent burning and preserve the delicate flavors of zucchini and fresh basil.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg