Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Deborah · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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A simple meal bursting with flavor, these Walnut Pesto Zoodles topped with Garlic Cherub Tomatoes require only 9 ingredients and are ready in about 30 minutes. This is one of the best vegan zoodle recipes ever! A marriage made in heaven that's also gluten-free.

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (1)

Salty, garlicy, savory, rich, full-on flavorbomb, these are just a few ways to describe these Walnut Pesto Zoodles topped with Garlicy Cherub Tomatoes. Made with only 9 ingredients, if you're well-prepared, you can probably have them ready in about 30 minutes. Don't worry! I'm now going to help you become well-prepared!

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (2)

Ingredients Needed for these Zoodles

You'll need the following ingredients to make this zoodle recipe:

  • Zesty 5-Minute Vegan Walnut Pesto (olive oil, vegetable broth, fresh basil, walnut, garlic, lemon & sea salt)
  • 8 medium to large zucchini
  • 10.5 ounces Cherub Tomatoes
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Sea salt

You'll also need a gadget to spiralize your zoodles. I use the spiralizer you see below. It was only 19.99 at Wal-Mart. Greatest investment I ever made!

Step by Step Instructions

Ok, so you have your ingredients. Here are the steps you should take to complete this meal:

1. Start by making your walnut pesto sauce. You'll put your basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice and sea salt in your food processor.

2. Pulse for a few minutes to combine all the ingredients. Use a spatula to scrape the sides. Add your olive oil and vegetable broth slowly through the opening on the food processor. Use only enough to make your pesto sauce thick and creamy as seen in the picture. For a thinner sauce, use more vegetable broth. For a thicker sauce, use less. Set aside.

3. Chop the tops and ends off your zucchini.

4. Using your handy dandy spiralizer, spiralize all of your zucchini.

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (3)

5. Place the zucchini on a few layers of paper towels as seen below. Top zucchini with another few layers of paper towels. Place something heavy, like a book, on the top layer of paper towels. Allow paper towels to absorb excess moisture from the zoodles so your recipe doesn't get too runny. Leave the zoodles between the paper towels while you handle the rest of the recipe.

6. Combine olive oil and garlic in small pan. Add your tomatoes.

7. Cover and saute over medium heat until the tomatoes start to burst. Remove from heat. Set aside.

8. While tomatoes are simmering, heat a little more olive oil and garlic in large fry pan or wok. Add your zoodles and stir until olive oil and garlic are well-distributed. Add walnut pesto and stir. Cook over medium heat just until zoodles and sauce are heated through. If you over-cook, they will wilt prematurely.

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (4)

This recipe makes 4 servings. Once your zoodles and tomatoes are done, place zoodles on your plates, top with Cherub tomatoes then top with Vegan Parmesan or another favorite seasoning. Garnish with spiralized radish and serve immediately.

Honestly, I wish you could have seen me in the kitchen today cooking this vegan zoodle recipe. From dropping ingredients and my favorite kitchen gadgets all over the floor to tripping and falling to the floor myself, it would've been the funniest comedy show you've ever seen! Sometimes I wonder how I get out of there alive! Ok, enough complaining! Let's move on...

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (5)

I served one of the best vegan zoodle recipes to my boyfriend for dinner tonight. I made 4 servings and he ate 3 of them. I'm telling you this to be sure you make enough of it because it's that good!

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (6)
Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (7)

If you make these pesto zoodles be sure to take a photo and tag it#veganvigilante1on Instagram. I’d love to connect with you via social media so please follow me onFacebook,PinterestandTwitter.I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my vegan recipes. I’d love to hear what you think so please leave your comments after the post. If you have questions or want to share a recipe of your own as a guest blogger, please email me at[emailprotected].

I have tons of new vegan recipes swimming around in my head that I’m preparing to share with you. If you’d like to support my work, pleasesign up for my newsletterso you don’t miss a recipe. For more healthy dinner ideas, visit my Main Dish Section. If you want a quick meal with less mess, check out my One-Pot Meal Section

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (8)

📖 Recipe

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (9)

Walnut Pesto Zoodles (Vegan Zoodle Recipes)

A marriage made in heaven, these Walnut Pesto Zoodles are topped with Garlic Cherub Tomatoes for a taste so bold, even non-vegans will love it.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Deborah

Ingredients

  • 1 batch Vegan Walnut Pesto
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin; divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced; divided
  • 8 med zucchini spiralized
  • 10.5 oz cherub tomatoes
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper optional

Instructions

For the Walnut Pesto Sauce

  • Prepare your Vegan Walnut Pesto recipe by following the instructions for my recipe. Set aside. .

For the Zoodles

  • In a large fry pan or wok, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil and 2 cloves garlic over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add spiralized zucchini noodles, or zoodles, and toss to coat evenly. Cook zoodles only until they are heated through. Don't overcook. Stir in walnut pesto sauce and coat zoodles evenly. Set aside.

For the Tomatoes

  • In a small pan over medium heat, add a teaspoon of olive oil and 2 cloves garlic. Add tomatoes and stir until evenly coated. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes or until tomatoes start to burst. Stir every few minutes.

Putting it All Together

  • Place zoodles on plates and top with a generous scoop of sauteed cherub tomatoes. Top with Vegan Parmesan, sea salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with spiralized radish and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Don't overcook the zoodles or they will wilt. Just cook until heated through.
  • Store left over portions of zoodles in bowl filled with water in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To make this oil-free, substitute olive oil for vegetable broth.

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @oohlalaitsvegan or tag #oohlalaitsvegan!

Walnut Pesto Zoodles | Vegan Zoodle Recipes | Vegan Vigilante (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook zoodles so they're not soggy? ›

You don't boil them that would make them soggy. To co*k zucchini noodles you toss them in a frying pan, with a little butter, oil or cooking spray, just long enough to heat. Add your sauce and it's done.

Is it cheaper to make your own zoodles? ›

Plus, making your own zucchini noodles is cheaper than buying them at the store, and it's fun to transform a vegetable into your favorite pasta shapes. So grab a bunch of zucchini, and let's get started!

What are 3 advantages of having zucchini noodles over regular pasta? ›

Zucchini is low in fat, sugar, and calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber, making it a great substitute for traditional pasta noodles. Fiber helps to regulate bowels and maintain good digestive health, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to protect cells.

Should you salt zucchini noodles before cooking? ›

Don't pre-salt your zucchini noodles.

First of all, one of the benefits of spiralizing is that it's SO quick (just spiralize, cook, and enjoy pasta in under 5 minutes!).

Does zucchini get softer the longer you cook it? ›

You can embrace zucchini's plump nature by cooking it for longer and letting it turn soft and silky.

What's the difference between zucchini noodles and zoodles? ›

Zucchini noodles can be made into different shapes, much like regular pasta. The most common way to make zoodles is to run the zucchini through a spiralizer, which makes a spaghetti-sized zoodle.

What is healthier spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles? ›

A look into essential Vitamins & Minerals, shows that Zucchini Pasta outdoes Spaghetti Squash on every one, except for Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Calcium and Selenium. Information found from SELF's Nutrition Data calculator.

Which is healthier pasta noodles or zoodles? ›

Low in Calories and Carbohydrates:Positive: Zucchini noodles are lower in calories and carbohydrates compared to traditional wheat-based pasta. This can be beneficial for those watching their calorie and carbohydrate intake, especially individuals with diabetes or those on low-carb diets.

Can you make zoodles without a zoodle maker? ›

Yes, you can make zucchini noodles without a spiralizer using household kitchen tools. Here are two more easy ways to make zoodles: Mandoline: If you have a mandoline, set it to thinly slice lengthwise. Vegetable peeler: Use your trusty veggie peeler to make long ribbons of zucchini.

How do you make spiralized zucchini not watery? ›

Cooking is what really makes zucchini release moisture. However, sometimes even uncooked zucchini can get a little limp after it's cut. In this case, to reduce excess moisture, simply pat the spiralized noodles dry with paper towels or a thin kitchen rag.

Can you eat zoodles raw? ›

Zucchini, also known as courgette, is a type of summer squash with many culinary uses. While it's commonly served cooked, many people enjoy eating zucchini raw too, as it works great in salads, with dips, as a wrap, or even spiralized to make low-carb noodles.

How do you know if zucchini noodles have gone bad? ›

Zucchini will feel mushy, the skin will be wrinkled, brown or damaged spots may appear on the outside. If you cut into the zucchini the flesh will be stringy and seeds will be much larger than average.

Does spiralized zucchini taste like pasta? ›

While zucchini noodles do not taste exactly like pasta noodles, if you cook them properly (meaning until they are al dente, not mushy), they are surprisingly satisfying.

Which is healthier spaghetti squash or pasta? ›

Spaghetti contains on average about 200 calories and 42 grams of carbohydrates per serving (2 ounces). However, spaghetti squash contains only 70 calories and around 17 carbohydrates per serving. A serving of spaghetti squash is about 4 ounces, and one spaghetti squash serves four people.

How do you firm up zoodles? ›

Tips For Avoiding Watery, Soggy Zoodles
  1. Squeeze them out before cooking – ring them out in some paper towels or a lightweight dish towel.
  2. Don't overcook them – stick to the cook times and methods above.
  3. Add them into soups and sauces at the very end – they'll get cooked just being in the warm soup or sauce.
Jun 9, 2022

How do you firm up zucchini? ›

Arrange the zucchini pieces into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (It will stick to the pan if you don't line it first!) Freeze the zucchini for about 1 hour, until it's firm to the touch, then transfer it to an airtight container to preserve the flavor as you store it.

How do you rescue soggy noodles? ›

Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add your overcooked pasta. Gently sauté over medium heat for a few minutes until the pasta's texture has firmed up. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes and you'll know it is done when the edges of the pasta have started to crisp and light browning has begun.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

This, the outlet asserts, is due to zucchini's high water content: If it cooks too slowly, it will release its moisture before it sears, becoming soggy and sodden. Over high heat, on the other hand, zucchini becomes caramelized on the outside but retains a meaty, firm texture within.

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