Welcome to my kitchen! I’m Nyla—a chef with a true love for creating recipes that not only taste amazing but also bring people together. This website is where I share my favorite dishes, cooking tips, and step-by-step guides to help you enjoy the process as much as the result. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned home cook, you’ll find inspiration here to make every meal special! And today, we’re making Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Avocado Pesto, a vibrant and healthy dish that’s as delicious as it is easy to prepare. This is a light and refreshing meal that brings a burst of flavor to your table.

Zucchini Noodles Recipe with Avocado Pesto

Imagine twirling a forkful of vibrant green noodles, coated in a creamy, dreamy avocado pesto. That’s exactly what you get with this amazing zucchini noodles recipe. It’s a fantastic alternative to traditional pasta, offering a lighter, healthier, and gluten-free option that doesn’t compromise on taste. The avocado pesto is rich, creamy, and packed with nutrients, making it a complete and satisfying meal. This dish is perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or even as a side dish to impress your guests. It’s so versatile, you can easily adapt it to your liking by adding your favorite veggies or protein.

Why You’ll Love This Zucchini Noodles Recipe

Let’s face it: we all crave healthy food that doesn’t taste like “rabbit food,” right? This zucchini noodles recipe hits all the right notes. Not only is it incredibly simple to make – think 20 minutes from start to finish – but it’s also packed with goodness. Zucchini is low in calories and high in vitamins, while avocado provides healthy fats and that delightful creaminess. The pesto is a powerhouse of flavor, thanks to fresh basil, garlic, and lemon juice. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to sneak in extra veggies into your diet, especially for those picky eaters!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• For the Zucchini Noodles:
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • A pinch of salt
• For the Avocado Pesto:
  • 2 ripe avocados
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons water (or more, for desired consistency)
• Optional Toppings:
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Parmesan cheese (optional, for non-vegan)
  • Grilled chicken or shrimp (for added protein)

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best Zucchini Noodles Recipe

Ready to get started? Here’s how to make this delicious zucchini noodles recipe in just a few easy steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Zucchini Noodles

First, wash the zucchini thoroughly. Using a spiralizer, turn the zucchini into noodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to create wide ribbons, or even just chop the zucchini into small matchsticks. Place the zucchini noodles in a colander and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. This will help draw out excess moisture, preventing them from becoming soggy. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the pesto.

Step 2: Make the Avocado Pesto

While the zucchini noodles are draining, prepare the avocado pesto. In a food processor, combine the ripe avocados, fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, pine nuts (or walnuts), olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the pesto is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water until you reach your desired consistency. Remember, you want it to be creamy and spreadable, not pasty!

Step 3: Combine the Noodles and Pesto

Gently pat the zucchini noodles dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial for preventing a watery dish. In a large bowl, combine the zucchini noodles and the avocado pesto. Toss gently until the noodles are evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can cause the zucchini to break.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Serve

Now for the fun part: toppings! Transfer the zucchini noodles recipe to a serving bowl or individual plates. Garnish with your favorite toppings, such as halved cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (if you’re not vegan). If you want to add some protein, grilled chicken or shrimp would be a fantastic addition. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Zucchini Noodles Recipe

Want to take your zucchini noodles recipe to the next level? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you succeed:

• Choose the Right Zucchini: Look for firm, medium-sized zucchini. Avoid zucchini that are too large, as they tend to be seedy and watery.
• Don’t Overcook the Zucchini: Zucchini noodles are best served raw or very lightly sautéed. Overcooking will make them mushy.
• Toast the Nuts: Toasting the pine nuts or walnuts before adding them to the pesto will bring out their flavor and add a nice crunch. Simply toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, until fragrant.
• Adjust the Consistency: If your pesto is too thick, add a little more water or olive oil until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add a few more basil leaves or a small piece of avocado.
• Make it Ahead: You can prepare the avocado pesto a day in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just be sure to cover it with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent it from browning. The zucchini noodles are best made right before serving.

Variations on This Zucchini Noodles Recipe

The beauty of this zucchini noodles recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. Feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking! Here are a few variations to try:

• Spicy Zucchini Noodles: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the pesto for a spicy kick.
• Lemon Garlic Zucchini Noodles: Add extra lemon juice and a clove of minced garlic to the zucchini noodles for a bright and zesty flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Zucchini Noodles: Substitute half of the basil with sun-dried tomatoes for a rich and savory twist.
• Mediterranean Zucchini Noodles: Add chopped Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Vegan Zucchini Noodles: Omit the Parmesan cheese and use a plant-based alternative, such as nutritional yeast, for a cheesy flavor.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Kcal: Approximately 350 kcal per serving
• Yield: 2 servings

This zucchini noodles recipe is a game-changer! It’s a quick, healthy, and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of summer, all year round. The creamy avocado pesto pairs perfectly with the delicate zucchini noodles, creating a dish that’s both satisfying and nutritious.

Thank you for being here! I’m so glad you’re here. If you enjoyed this recipe or found it helpful, feel free to share it with your friends and family—great food is meant to be shared!

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Can I make zucchini noodles without a spiralizer?

Absolutely! While a spiralizer makes the process quick and easy, you can also use a vegetable peeler to create wide ribbons or simply chop the zucchini into matchsticks. The key is to ensure the zucchini is uniformly cut for even cooking.

How can I prevent my zucchini noodles from being watery?

Salting the zucchini noodles and letting them sit in a colander for about 10-15 minutes helps draw out excess moisture. After salting, gently pat them dry with a paper towel before adding the pesto. This step is crucial for preventing a watery dish.

Can I store leftover zucchini noodles with avocado pesto?

Zucchini noodles with avocado pesto are best enjoyed fresh, as the zucchini can become soggy and the avocado pesto can oxidize and turn brown over time. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and try to consume them within 24 hours. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice can help slow down the browning process.

Can I use frozen zucchini noodles?

I wouldn’t recommend using frozen zucchini noodles for this recipe. Freezing and thawing zucchini will significantly alter its texture, making it very soft and watery, which isn’t ideal for this dish. Fresh zucchini is always the best choice.

Is this zucchini noodles recipe suitable for a vegan diet?

Yes, this zucchini noodles recipe is naturally vegan-friendly, as it doesn’t contain any animal products. Just make sure to omit the Parmesan cheese if you’re using it as a topping or substitute it with a plant-based alternative, such as nutritional yeast, for a cheesy flavor.

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