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- 4 medium zucchinis - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper - 1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped - Zest of 1 lemon - Juice of 1 lemon Garlic Parmesan Zoodles are simple yet packed with flavor. They are a great choice if you want a light meal that feels indulgent. The key ingredients help create this dish's rich taste: - Zucchini: This vegetable serves as the base. It has a mild taste and adds a nice crunch. - Garlic: Fresh garlic gives a strong, savory flavor. It's essential for a delicious zoodle dish. - Parmesan Cheese: This cheese melts beautifully and creates a creamy sauce. It adds richness that balances the dish. - Lemon: The zest and juice brighten the flavors. They cut through the richness of the cheese, adding freshness. - Calories: About 180 per serving - Protein: 6 grams - Carbohydrates: 10 grams - Fats: 14 grams This dish is low in carbs and high in flavor. It offers a great balance of nutrients. You will find it satisfying without feeling heavy. Enjoy this tasty and healthy recipe any day of the week. For the full recipe, check out the details above! To start, you need to create zoodles from zucchinis. Spiralizing is the best way. A spiralizer gives you long, thin noodles. It’s fun and easy! If you don’t have one, don’t worry. You can use a julienne peeler to make thin strips. A box grater works too, just be careful with your hands. Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté it for about one minute. You want it to smell good, but not brown. If you like a little heat, toss in the red pepper flakes now. Stir it for another 30 seconds. Now, increase the heat to medium-high and add your zoodles to the skillet. Toss them well to coat in the garlic oil. Cook for about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often. You want them to be tender but still crunchy. Once the zoodles are ready, season with salt and black pepper. Then, remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix well until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce over the zoodles. Finally, fold in the fresh basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to. Serve right away. For an extra touch, you can garnish with more Parmesan and fresh basil. Enjoy your Garlic Parmesan Zoodles! For the full recipe, check the section above. Selecting the right zucchini Choose firm zucchinis that are smooth and shiny. Look for ones that feel heavy for their size. Small to medium zucchinis are best for zoodles. They have less water and better texture. Avoid large zucchinis, as they may be seedy and watery. Preventing soggy zoodles To keep your zoodles from becoming soggy, cook them quickly. Stir-fry them over high heat for just a few minutes. You want them tender yet slightly crunchy. After spiralizing, you can also salt the zoodles lightly. This helps draw out extra moisture. Let them sit for about 10 minutes before cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess water. Pairing ideas Garlic Parmesan zoodles work great as a side dish. They pair well with grilled chicken or shrimp. You can also serve them with a light salad or roasted vegetables. If you want a hearty meal, add them to a bed of quinoa or brown rice. Garnishing options For garnishing, sprinkle more fresh Parmesan cheese on top. A bit of fresh basil adds a nice touch. You can also add a squeeze of lemon for brightness. Toasted pine nuts or walnuts can add crunch and extra flavor. These simple additions make your dish pop! Remember to check the Full Recipe for a detailed guide on making this tasty dish! {{image_2}} You can make Garlic Parmesan Zoodles even better by adding proteins. Try cooked chicken or shrimp for a heartier dish. Just toss them in when the zoodles are nearly done cooking. This adds flavor and keeps you full. You can also mix in other vegetables. Peas, bell peppers, or spinach work well. These add color and extra nutrients. Just sauté them with the garlic for a few minutes before adding the zoodles. Switching up the cheese can change the taste of your dish. Parmesan is great, but you can also try Pecorino Romano or feta. Each cheese brings its own unique flavor. Experiment to find your favorite. You can also explore different herbs and spices. Try oregano or thyme for a Mediterranean twist. For a kick, add some cayenne or smoked paprika. Just remember to start with small amounts and taste as you go. For the full recipe, check out the complete details on Garlic Parmesan Zoodles. To store leftovers, first, let the zoodles cool down. Place the Garlic Parmesan Zoodles in an airtight container. Make sure to cover them well to avoid air exposure. You can keep them in the fridge for up to three days. This will help maintain their flavor and texture. For the best results, store the zoodles separately from any sauce. This keeps them from becoming soggy. If you mixed them with sauce, eat them within two days. Use glass or BPA-free plastic containers. They help keep food fresh and make reheating easy. Avoid metal containers, as they can react with the cheese and lemon. Can you freeze zoodles? Yes, you can freeze zoodles, but it’s best to freeze them uncooked. Cooked zoodles tend to lose their texture when thawed. To freeze, spiralize the zucchinis, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about an hour. This prevents them from clumping together. After freezing, transfer them to a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly. When you want to use them, thaw the zoodles in the fridge overnight or in a colander under cold water. Drain any excess water before cooking. This will help keep the zoodles firm and not mushy. For the full recipe, you can find the details above. Enjoy making your Garlic Parmesan Zoodles! To make Garlic Parmesan Zoodles vegan, you can swap a few ingredients. Replace the Parmesan with a nut-based cheese or nutritional yeast. This gives you a cheesy flavor without dairy. Use olive oil as usual. Ensure your zoodles are fresh for the best taste. You can also add more veggies like mushrooms or bell peppers. They enhance the dish and add nutrients. Yes, you can use pre-packaged zoodles. They are a great time-saver. Before cooking, rinse them to remove excess moisture. This helps avoid soggy zoodles. Heat olive oil in your skillet, then add the zoodles. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes. Stir them gently to heat through. This way, they stay crisp and delicious. Garlic Parmesan Zoodles pair well with many dishes. You can serve them with grilled chicken or shrimp for protein. A simple salad on the side adds freshness. You can also enjoy them with crusty bread. This makes for a hearty meal. Try it with a light tomato sauce for extra flavor. To prevent mushy zoodles, always cook them quickly. Use high heat for a short time. Sauté them for just 3-5 minutes. This keeps them tender but firm. Avoid adding too much liquid. If you spiralize your zucchinis, let them sit for a bit. This helps drain excess water before cooking. This blog post covered how to make Garlic Parmesan Zoodles. We explored the key ingredients, like zucchini, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. I shared step-by-step instructions for making zoodles and cooking them to perfection. Remember tips to avoid soggy zoodles and enhance flavor with extras. In conclusion, zoodles are a tasty and healthy option. You can easily tweak the recipe to fit your taste. Enjoy experimenting and savoring this simple dish!

Garlic Parmesan Zoodles

Looking for a delicious and healthy meal? Try these Garlic Parmesan Zoodles, a fantastic twist on traditional pasta! Made with fresh zucchini, garlic, and a creamy Parmesan sauce, this dish is quick to prepare and packed with flavor. In just 20 minutes, you can whip up a satisfying dinner that’s low in carbs but high in taste. Click through for the full recipe and step-by-step instructions to delight your taste buds!
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Ingredients
  

4 medium zucchinis

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions
 

Begin by spiralizing the zucchinis to create zoodles. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can use a julienne peeler or a box grater to make thin strips.

    Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute, or until fragrant but not browned.

      If you like a bit of spice, add the red pepper flakes at this point and stir for an additional 30 seconds.

        Increase the heat to medium-high and add the zoodles to the skillet. Toss to coat them in the garlic oil and cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zoodles are tender but still slightly crunchy.

          Season the zoodles with salt and black pepper, then remove from heat.

            Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice, mixing well until the cheese melts and forms a creamy sauce over the zoodles.

              Fold in the fresh basil, adjusting seasoning if needed.

                Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh basil if desired.

                  Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4