Pesto Whole 30 Zoodles

Pesto Whole 30 Zoodles Recipe {Whole 30, Paleo, Vegan}

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Zucchini noodles are not just a great pasta substitute, they are also super delicious if prepared correctly. This pesto Whole 30 zoodles recipe is the perfect side dish to enhance your lunch or dinner! If you’re not quite sure about how to cook zucchini noodles, or if you’ve tried it and you were left with a watery mess, check out our post that breaks down how to prepare zucchini noodles for any recipe and/or dish here.

Many of us have heard of zucchini noodles being used to replace pasta; as mentioned earlier, they really are a great substitute. After preparing your zucchini noodles (AKA Zoodles), one cooking hack to make them super delicious is to toss them in a delicious homemade and clean sauce, like our dairy free pesto sauce. In this post, we combine two of my favorite and clean recipes to make this yummy pesto Whole 30 zoodles recipe!

Pesto Whole 30 Zoodles

Since finding out I had Hashimoto’s disease, I have transitioned my consumption to a more toxic-free and paleo lifestyle. This includes me taking out gluten and dairy within my diet. Please note, as a working Mom, it is important to me to keep a balance and have mental health as one of my top priorities. That said, I do not subscribe to a black-and-white way of thinking when it comes to eating lifestyles. I am not someone who is all-in and judge those who don’t choose the way I eat and conduct my life. I think everyone is doing the best they can with the cards they have been dealt; balance and mental health are the most important. YOU DO YOU! When I talk about eating Whole 30 and paleo, I am showcasing what works for me and my family on our own healthy journey.

Dairy Free Pesto Sauce

What is Pesto?

Pesto is a sauce that originated in Genoa, the capital city of Liguria, Italy. Traditionally, the sauce is made up of basil, garlic, pine nuts, salt, and parmigiano-reggiano all blended together in olive oil. Accompaniments may include the most popular past, meat, potatoes, other veggies, and my personal favorite, a spoonful directly into my mouth. YIKES, did I just say that?

Cooking Zucchini Noodles - A Step by Step Guide

What are Whole 30 Zoodles?

Zucchini noodles are made from zucchini, not pasta. They are an excellent substitute for regular pasta and taste great in almost any dish. The main thing that makes them better than traditional noodles is that they are low carb and are made from zucchini. They are a great way to reduce the number of carbs in a meal and make it healthier. Furthermore, they are suitable for people who follow low-carb diets as well.

Why Whole 30 Zoodles?

Zucchini noodles can be used to replace traditional pasta, which is a big win for those who want to eat healthier. They are also perfect for those trying to lose weight or are following a gluten-free diet.

Zucchini is very low in calories but a good source of dietary fiber. It’s also a great source of vitamin C. It can be an excellent alternative for those looking to cut down on carbs. They are also paleo diet-friendly.

They are an excellent substitute for pasta and wheat-based noodles. Zucchini noodles are low-calorie and low-carb but can be quite filling. It is also low in Cholesterol. They are a great way to get your daily dose of veggies. They are just as good in a healthy spaghetti dish as in a stir-fry.

Zucchini Noodles are all the rage now (along with cucumber noodles and carrot noodles) and for a good reason. They’re a low-carb, guilt-free substitution for your regular noodles. There are so many methods out there for making zucchini noodles that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what works for you. In this blog, I will outline the two best ways to make zucchini noodles.

Pesto Whole 30 Zoodles

What you need to make Pesto Whole 30 Zoodles

What you will need to make this recipe is split between two categories; pesto and zucchini noodles. For the pesto you will need basil, nutritional yeast, pine nuts, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. For the zucchini noodles you will need, zucchini, olive oil, salt, pepper and minced garlic.

Steps to make the Whole 30 Zoodles

Step 1

Spiralize the zucchini and heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush a little olive oil on the top.

Step 2

Add the zucchini noodles to the baking tray and sprinkle salt and garlic over the top.

Step 3

Bake for 10-15 minutes or until tender.

Step 4

Sprinkle salt and pepper. Serve hot with your favorite sauce. Optional: Add cherry tomatoes, parmesan and baby spinach, only if you are okay adding the dairy.

Steps to make the Dairy Free Pesto

Step 1

In a blender or food processor, blend in basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and lemon juice until combined.

Step 2

Once blended, add in the garlic, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast. Add additional salt and pepper as desired. ENJOY!

Pesto Whole 30 Zoodles Recipe {Whole 30, Paleo, Vegan}

Recipe by Ashland Course: Home, dinner, lunch, sidesCuisine: Whole 30, Paleo, ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes

Ingredients

  • Dairy Free Pesto Ingredients
  • 3 cups 3 basil

  • 2 cups 2 pine nuts

  • 1 1 juice of medium lemon

  • 1 cup 1 olive oil

  • 3 cloves 3 garlic

  • 3 tbsp 3 nutritional yeast

  • 3 tsp 3 salt

  • 2 tsp 2 pepper

  • Zoodles
  • 2 medium 2 zucchinis, ends trimmed and make noodles using countertop spiralizer

  • 1 tsp 1 olive oil

  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 salt

  • 1/4 tsp 1/4 ground pepper

  • 1 tbsp 1 minced fresh garlic

  • 2 tbsp 2 parmesan cheese (optional if you want to add dairy)

Directions

  • Directions for Dairy Free Pesto
  • In a blender or food processor, blend in basil, pine nuts, olive oil and lemon juice until combined.
  • Once blended, add in the garlic, salt, pepper and nutritional yeast. Add additional salt and pepper as desired. Set aside to mix with zucchini noodles.
  • Directions for Pesto Zucchini Noodles
  • Spiralize the zucchini
  • Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Brush a little olive oil on the top.
  • Add the zucchini noodles to the baking tray and sprinkle salt and garlic over the top.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes or until tender.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper and toss with prepared pesto sauce. If you want the zucchini noodles warmer, toss the pesto and noodles in a skillet and warm to liking. ENJOY!

Notes

  • You are also able to toss the noodles in olive oil and fry on a skillet. After the zucchini noodles become soft you can then slowly add in the pesto sauce.
  • Serve with a protein and enjoy as a main dish.

Can you freeze Whole 30 Zoodles?

The answer is no. You cannot freeze zucchini noodles because they turn mushy and lose their texture. The liquid inside the zucchini will release and cause the noodles to become soggy.

Can you replace pasta with zucchini noodles?

Zucchini is such a versatile vegetable, and it can be used in so many different recipes! We all know that it tastes great on its own, whether you’re munching it raw or baking it. But did you know that it can also be used as a substitute for pasta? Say what? Yes, you read that right. It is possible to use zucchini as noodles in your favorite pasta dishes. They work well in any recipe that calls for pasta.

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  1. Pingback: Whole 30 Chicken Pesto Zoodles Recipe - LuvAshland

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