Zucchini Noodles with Pasta and Roasted Tomatoes

Noodles made from zucchini? Yes! They are terrific. If eliminating pasta is too much of a switch all at once for your family, try this recipe. Half zucchini noodles and half pasta noodles are a terrific combination. Add roasted tomatoes (which can be made ahead) for a delicious and healthy meatless dinner.

Recently I wrote about how to make zucchini noodles with a fun tool called a spiral vegetable slicer.  Zucchini noodles are a playful way to introduce more healthy vegetables into your diet. Use half as much spaghetti and mix in zucchini noodles. Choose either gluten-free spaghetti, made from brown rice, or whole grain wheat pasta.

Ingredients

See the recipe card for measurements.

• Pasta of choice
• Zucchini
• Shallot (or onion)
• Garlic cloves
• Roasted or fresh tomatoes (options below)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh herbs (optional)

Variations

For the pasta, choose gluten-free, wheat, cassava, or a blend that your family enjoys. See my notes below on what I think is the best GF pasta.

For the tomatoes, I use my herb roasted tomatoes. You can make them ahead of time, but they also don't take long to make. The recipe link is below. Pop them in the oven while you are getting water boiling for pasta, the zucchini noodles made, and the shallot and garlic chopped.

You can also use chopped sun-dried tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes, or fresh cherry tomatoes. If using fresh tomatoes, add them to the pan with the cooking shallot and garlic and stir. Cook until softened and hot.

A quick way to add protein to this is by adding chopped and browned pre-cooked sausage. Figure 1 link per person; for bigger eaters you might figure 2 per person.

Tools

• How to know how much pasta you are cooking? You need a digital kitchen scale. It’s an invaluable tool for any kitchen.
• A spiralizer for the zucchini noodles, on Amazon.
• A large pot to boil water for pasta (I use a 7 quart).
• A large saute or fry pan to cook shallot (or onion) and garlic, then heat the noodles.

Instructions

1. To start, decide on your tomatoes. Roast a batch or use one of the options above.
2. Next, get water boiling for pasta and the zucchini noodles spiralized. Chop the shallot and garlic.
3. Cook the shallots and garlic, add the zucchini noodles, cook and drain the drain pasta.
4. To serve, pile in wide shallow bowls, add the tomatoes and herbs, the top with cheese.

The Best Gluten-Free Pasta

If you have tried brown rice pasta that is mushy and falls apart, here is the solution. Track down this brand in the green and white box. It is fantastic and all I buy. Find it at many stores and online, such as Thrive Market and Amazon.

Herb Roasted Tomatoes

Roasting tomatoes to go with the pasta is easy and takes 20-25 minutes. You can even make them several days ahead. Make more than you think you need.

With a concentrated, natural sweetness, plus lots of fresh herbs, garlic and olive oil, they are so tasty you will eat more than you think! Here is the easy recipe.

Herb roasted tomatoes last a week in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

📖 Recipe

Zucchini Noodles with Pasta and Roasted Tomatoes

Sally Cameron

Zucchini noodles mixed with spaghetti makes a wonderful healthy meal. Roasted tomatoes add another level of flavor and nutrition. Enjoy as a meatless main dish or top with chicken breast, shrimp, or fish. Add fresh chopped herbs and maybe a drizzle of good olive oil to finish. A sprinkle of Parmesan is a nice too. For the roasted tomatoes see recipe link here or below. This recipe doubles easily.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 40 mins

Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Calories 243 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Large pot for the pasta
• ▢
  Saute pan or fry pan
• ▢
  Spiralizer for zucchini noodles

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 recipe roasted tomatoes LINK BELOW
• ▢ 6-8 ounces spaghetti brown rice or whole wheat
• ▢ 1 pound zucchini
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 1 large shallot sliced into thin rings
• ▢ 3 large garlic cloves chopped fine
• ▢ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese or more
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley, oregano or basil leaves a combination is nice

Instructions

 

Start with the Tomatoes

• Pre-heat oven to 375° and roast tomatoes following recipe. When done roasting, keep tomatoes warm.

Start Noodles and Pasta

• Bring a pot of water to boil for the spaghetti and spiral slice your zucchini noodles.

Finish Dinner

• Heat olive oil in a medium sauté pan over medium low heat and add shallot. Cook, stirring, until shallot rings are softened, 1-2 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
• Add zucchini noodles to the pan and cook 2-3 minutes or until softened. Add the pasta, as many tomatoes as you'd like, herbs and toss together. Place in shallow bowls to serve. If desired, drizzle with a little more olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

Here is the link for the herb roasted tomatoes 

The tomatoes are not included in the nutrition calculation as it's hard to know how many you will use. See that recipe for separate nutrition information.

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 9gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 124mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 597IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 1mg

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