Fresh Zucchini Noodles with Creamy Pesto
A quick, easy, and refreshing summer pasta dish featuring crisp zucchini noodles tossed in a creamy pesto sauce with juicy cherry tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles (about 4 cups)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or Greek yogurt (optional for creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse zucchinis and trim the ends. Using a spiralizer, create noodles from each zucchini until you have about 4 cups.
- If noodles feel watery, place them in a colander, sprinkle with a little salt, and let drain for 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup pesto with 2 tablespoons cream cheese or Greek yogurt until smooth and creamy. Add minced garlic and lemon juice, stirring well.
- Place zucchini noodles in a large mixing bowl. Pour creamy pesto over noodles and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Gently toss until noodles are evenly coated, being careful not to bruise them.
- Fold in halved cherry tomatoes, reserving a few for garnish if desired.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Adjust seasoning and add extra lemon juice if desired.
- Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if available.
Notes
Drain and pat dry zucchini noodles to avoid watery dish. Toss noodles gently to keep them crisp. Serve immediately or chill briefly. For vegan version, substitute cream cheese with cashew cream or coconut yogurt and use vegan pesto.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 c
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: zucchini noodles, creamy pesto, summer pasta, healthy, quick recipe, low carb, gluten free, vegetarian