• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

our recipes + your inbox = the eatmail

Join now

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • About
  • Contact

Live Eat Learn

Easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time

free ebook

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

  • Recipe Index
  • Vegetarian 101
  • Travel
  • Meal Plans
  • Course
    • Breakfasts
    • Lunches
    • Dinners
    • Appetizers
    • Sweets
    • Drinks
  • Diet
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Raw
    • Vegan
  • Season
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Ingredient
    • Avocado
    • Bean
    • Cauliflower
    • Chickpeas
    • Eggplant
    • Mushroom
    • Tofu
    • Quinoa
    • View All
  • Collections
    • All Time Favorites
    • Air Frying
    • Budget Friendly
    • Comfort Food
    • High Protein
    • Meal Prep
    • Meatless Monday
    • View All
  • Visit our kombucha site
    Visit our dog food blog
Home Eat Dinners Pastas

How To Make Zucchini Noodles (Ultimate Guide!)

5 from 3 votes
Recipe Print Share
Share on:
By: Sarah BondUpdated: Jan 24, 2023 Leave a Comment

This post contains affiliate links.

The ultimate guide to making zucchini noodles! Whether you like spaghetti, angle hair, fettuccine, or lasagna, we’ll cover how to make all four types of zoodles!

Image of Four types of zucchini noodles on a pink background: spaghetti, angle hair, fettuccine, and lasagna.

Every spring I get this urge to eat lighter and brighter. Maybe it is something in the air. Or maybe it’s that I connect spring with bringing in summer and I connect summer with fresh produce and I connect fresh produce with very specific fruits and vegetables like peaches and asparagus and tomatoes and zucchini. That all makes sense, right?

Anyways, long story short, I always end up making zucchini noodles (otherwise known as zoodles) this time of year to enjoy with homemade pasta sauce. But these are not the soggy type of zoodles that can be found in market, these are fresh, slurpable (fairly certain that is a word), perfect zoodles!

We’re covering how to make zoodles 4 different ways – spaghetti, angle hair, fettuccine, and lasagna. Feel free to click the links below to jump around to which ever type of pasta you are feeling today.

  1. Spaghetti Zoodles
  2. Angle Hair Zoodles
  3. Fettuccine Zoodles
  4. Lasagna Zoodles

Not sure about how to pick a good zucchini or if zucchini is right for you? Check out this post, Zucchini Nutrition 101, for all information on this awesome vegetable!

4 types of zucchini noodles on a pink background.

Ingredients for Making Zucchini Noodles

Zucchinis! Obviously you need these to make zucchini noodles but zucchini noodles are a great replacement noodles because they are cheap, easy to get, and easy to work with.

  • Zucchini: We typical use green zucchini to make our noodles. They are low in calories and packed with nutrients, win win!

Zucchini Cooking tip

While zucchini noodles resemble pasta noodles, boiling them in water leaches out water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C and B6 in the case of zucchini). Instead, sauté the zucchini noodles on the stove with a touch of olive oil until they are soft.

Spaghetti zucchini noodles with red sauce, parmesan cheese, and a fork in a white bowl.

How to make Spaghetti Zoodles

To make spaghetti zucchini noodles, cut off each end of the zucchini, then cut each zucchini in half to fit in your spiralizer. Place the zucchini half in your spiralizer so that it’s perfectly centered, then spiralize! Apply constant pressure while spiralizing the zucchini to create uniform, long noodles.

Try spaghetti zoodles in these great recipes – Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado Pesto and Zucchini Noodles Vegetarian Meal Prep.

A spiralizer with half of a zucchini it in and the other half pushed through the spiralizer and turned into spaghetti zoodles in a pile on a pink background.
A pile of spaghetti zucchini noodles on a pink background.

How to make Angel Hair Zoodles

Making angle hair zoodles couldn’t be simpler! Having a julienne slicer is super helpful when making these but you could also use a good knife and your great knife skills to make angle hair zoodles. Simply lay the zucchini on a flat surface (cutting board or plate), then run down the length of the zucchini with a julienne slicer. Continue until there is no zucchini left. You can find a julienne slicer online here!

This spiralized zucchini recipe would be great with our Easy Vegan Meatballs or Pumpkin Pasta Sauce!

A half cut zucchini, a black and yellow  julienne slicer, and a pile of angle hair cut zucchini noodles lined up on a pink background.
A pile of angle hair zucchini noodles next to half of a zucchini that is being sliced by a black and yellow julienne slicer.
A pile of angle hair zucchini noodles on a pink background.

How to make Fettuccine Zoodles

Fettuccine noodles are wide noodles that pair great with thick sauces. The extra surface area means they can carry more sauce with each bite! To make the zucchini version of this noodle, trim the top and bottom off of the zucchini. Set a mandoline slicer to its thinnest setting, then run the zucchini lengthwise down the mandolin to create long, thin planks. Use a knife to cut each plank into 4 or 5 strips, creating fettuccine noodles. Easy peasy!

These would be great as a replacement for the noodles in Stovetop Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese or Lemony Gremolata Pasta!

A mandolin slicer, 4 lengthwise slices of zucchini, a knife, and a pile of fettuccine zoodles on a pink background.
A pile of fettuccine zucchini noodles n a pink background.

How to make Lasagna Zoodles

Last but not least, lasagna zoodles. To make these classic noodles, trim the top and bottom off of the zucchini. Set a mandolin slicer to its thinnest setting, then run the zucchini lengthwise down the mandolin to create long, thin planks. These follow almost all the same steps as fettuccini noodles minus the last step of slicing them into strips. Woo, less work!

Try these in our Zucchini Lasagna or use them to replace the noodles in this Vegetable Lasagna!

A mandolin slicer next to 5 lengthwise slices of zucchini on a pink background.
Multiple thin, lengthwise slices of zucchini laid flat on a pink back ground.

How to Cook Zoodles

When it comes to cooking your zoodles, you have options. But the best way to cook zoodles? Sautéing them!

Sautéing zucchini noodles in a splash of olive oil preserves the texture, flavor, and nutrients. Simply sauté them over medium heat until warm and slightly softened.

A black pan with spaghetti zoodles in in on a pink background.

You could also microwave zoodles for 2 to 3 minutes if you’re in a pinch. Due to zucchini’s high water content, the microwave will release that moisture, creating steam in the confined space and making it more likely to make the zoodles slightly mushy.

I do not recommend boiling them because it leaches out the water-soluble vitamins and adds moisture to something that is already very high in moisture content (= mushy!).

A white bowl on a pink background filled with spaghetti zoodles and partially covered in plastic wrap.  As if the bowl is being covered by plastic wrap.

What to pair with zoodles

Everything. No, seriously, as with most zucchini recipes, zucchini noodles have an incredibly neutral flavor meaning they can go with almost any flavor or dish. Enjoy them with a tomato based sauce or a cheese sauce! Some of our favorite sauces are romesco, marinara, or traditional pesto! And some of our favorite ways to use these zoodles are:

  • Pumpkin Pasta has the perfect creamy, flavorful sauce to enjoy on the zucchini fettuccine
  • Easy Vegetarian Lasagna is an easy dinner staple that would be great with zucchini lasagna pasta
  • Spiralized Zucchini Caprese Salad in a Jar makes lunch a breeze with all the ingredients for a delicious salad kept in mason jars for easy transport
Spaghetti zoodles, red sauce, parmesan, and a fork in a white bowl on a pink background.
4 types of zucchini noodles on a pink background

How To Make Zucchini Noodles (Ultimate Guide!)

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 15 minutes minutes
Cook: 5 minutes minutes
Total: 20 minutes minutes
Author: Sarah Bond
Calories: 16kcal
Servings: 2 servings
Print Rate
The ultimate guide to making zucchini noodles in 4 delicious varieties: spaghetti, angle hair, fettuccine, and lasagna zoodles!

Ingredients

  • 1 zucchini

Instructions 

How to Cut Zucchini Noodles

  • Option 1 Spaghetti Zoodles: Trim the top and bottom off of the zucchini, then chop it in half, hamburger style. Working one at a time, center each zucchini halve on a spiralizer and turn firmly to create the spaghetti noodles.
  • Option 2 Angel Hair Zoodles: Lay the zucchini on a flat surface, the run down the length of the zucchini with a julienne slicer. Continue until there is no zucchini left.
  • Option 3 Fettuccine Zoodles: Trim the top and bottom off of the zucchini. Set a mandolin slicer to its thinnest setting, then run the zucchini lengthwise down the mandolin to create long, thin planks. Use a knife to cut each plank into 4 or 5 strips, creating fettuccine noodles.
  • Option 4 Lasagna Zoodles: Trim the top and bottom off of the zucchini. Set a mandolin slicer to its thinnest setting, then run the zucchini lengthwise down the mandolin to create long, thin planks.

How to Cook Zucchini Noodles

  • Option 1 Saute: Heat a splash of oil in a large saute pan over medium/high heat. Add noodles and cook briefly, just until bright green and soft – about 3 minutes.
    Option 1 Saute: Heat a splash of oil in a large saute pan over medium/high heat. Add noodles and cook briefly, just until bright green and soft - about 3 minutes.
  • Option 2 Microwave: Place zoodles in a microwave-safe bowl or plate, covering firmly with plastic wrap. Microwave for 60 seconds, or until bright green and soft.
    Option 2 Microwave: Place zoodles in a microwave-safe bowl or plate, covering firmly with plastic wrap. Microwave for 60 seconds, or until bright green and soft.

Tips & Tricks

Sauteing is our favorite way of cooking zucchini noodles because it keeps them from becoming overcooked and mushy (while also preserving their nutrient content). We do not recommend boiling or baking the noodles, which results in over cooked (or unevenly cooked) zoodles.
Store zoodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1serving (without sauce) Calories: 16kcal (1%) Carbohydrates: 3.3g (1%) Protein: 1.2g (2%) Fat: 0.2g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 10mg Potassium: 257mg (7%) Fiber: 1.1g (5%) Sugar: 1.7g (2%) Calcium: 15mg (2%) Iron: 0mg
Did You Make This?

Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!

Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Pin on Pinterest
Dog looking at a bowl of zucchini scraps.

Got scraps? Dogs can eat zucchini and love licking up the inevitable scraps from your zoodle making!

You may also like...

  • Collage of vegetarian pasta recipes
    15 Easy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
  • This spiralized zucchini pasta is tossed in creamy basil and avocado pesto to make a deliciously low carb and gluten-free dinner!
    Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Avocado Pesto
  • Spiralized Zucchini Caprese Salad in a Jar
    Spiralized Zucchini Caprese Salad in a Jar
  • Meal prep container with zucchini noodles on white background - This Zucchini Noodles Vegetarian Meal Prep is a low carb lunch solution that will have you looking forward to lunchtime! Packed with fresh veggies, avocado pesto, and crispy baked tofu.
    Zucchini Noodles Vegetarian Meal Prep
Previous Post
Next Post

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Rate this Recipe:




Primary Sidebar

Hello

I'm Sarah

A flavor-loving nutritionist and sensory science specialist showing you how to make easy vegetarian recipes, one ingredient at a time.

Let's Meet

Freebie alert!

3 reader-favorite cookbooks delivered straight to your inbox.

Get in now!

Subscribe for new recipes + 3 fan-favorite ebooks

Summer BBQ Recipes

Portobello Mushroom Burgers with an orange background - With melted sharp cheddar, the perfectly meaty texture, and best-ever Fancy Sauce, these Portobello Mushroom Burgers are the vegetarian recipe that'll have you craving mushrooms for dinner.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

Grilled Romaine Salad

10-Minute Summer Veggie Salad

Zucchini corn salad on a white plate with serving spoons

Summer Salad With Grilled Corn & Zucchin

Tomato Gazpacho

Seitan Burgers

Dinner This Week

Vegan tikka masala with naan and rice in a white bowl

M

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

T

Roasted Chickpea Gyros

Vegan Thai red curry in a bowl on a red background

W

Thai Vegetarian Coconut Curry

Vegan nachos on a black plate on a white background - These vegan nachos are piled high with easy mushroom BBQ "pulled pork" and a cashew-based queso cheese sauce that will knock your dairy-free socks off.

R

BBQ Mushroom Pulled Pork

Roasted Cauliflower Street Tacos

F

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Lemon risotto in a bowl with basil on a yellow background

S

Lemon Basil Risotto

As featured on:

3 bonus books!

Join our Eatmail newsletter to get free copies of our top 3 cookbooks, new recipes, exclusive meal plans, and more!

Follow Along

  • Easy Vegetarian Facebook Group
  • Kombucha Brewers Facebook Group
Back to Top
  • Web Stories
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Collaborate
© 2023 Live Eat Learn
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Support by Foodie Digital