
Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Fresh zucchini spiralized into tender noodles and tossed with a vibrant homemade basil pesto — this light, low-calorie dinner comes together in under 20 minutes and is naturally gluten-free. It's the kind of wholesome weeknight meal that feels indulgent without the guilt, finished with cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, and a shower of Parmesan.
4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 5 min · Total 20 min
Italian · Main Course · Dinner
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
4 medium zucchini spiralized into noodles
0.5 tsp kosher salt for drawing out moisture
Pesto
2 cup fresh basil leaves packed
3 cloves garlic peeled
0.25 cup pine nuts lightly toasted
0.5 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus more for serving
0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus more for cooking
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
0.5 tsp kosher salt
0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
Garnish
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
2 tbsp pine nuts toasted, for garnish
0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
Equipment
Stovetop
Food Processor
Mixing Bowl
Skillet
Paper Towel
Measuring Cups
Knife
Tongs
Measuring Spoons
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Colander- Spiralizer
Instructions
- Spiralize the @[Zucchini] using a spiralizer fitted with the medium noodle blade. Place the noodles in a #[Colander], toss with ~[½ tsp] @[Kosher Salt], and let them sit for ~[10 minutes] to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry thoroughly with #[Paper Towel] — this step is key to preventing watery noodles.
- In a #[Food Processor], combine the @[Basil] leaves, @[Garlic], and toasted @[Pine Nuts]. Pulse ~[8–10 times] until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the @[Extra-Virgin Olive Oil] until the pesto is smooth and emulsified. Add the @[Parmesan Cheese], @[Lemon Juice], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper]. Pulse a few more times to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Heat ~[1 tablespoon] of @[Olive Oil] in a large #[Skillet] over ^[medium-high heat]. Add the dried @[Zucchini] noodles and toss with tongs for ~[1–2 minutes], just until slightly tender but still with a bite — do not overcook or they will become mushy. Remove from heat immediately.
- Add the pesto to the #[Skillet] with the warm @[Zucchini] noodles and toss gently to coat every strand. Divide among bowls and top with halved @[Cherry Tomatoes], extra @[Parmesan Cheese], toasted @[Pine Nuts], and a pinch of @[Red Pepper Flakes] if desired. Serve immediately.




