Food Cooking Tips & Techniques Cooking How to Make Zucchini Noodles in 4 Simple Steps Homemade “zoodles” are always the move. By Ariel Klein Ariel Klein Ariel Klein is a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, technology, home, cooking, and gardening topics. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Well+Good, Travel+Leisure, Better Homes and Gardens, and Food & Wine magazine. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on April 25, 2024 Close Photo: Westend61/Getty Images Project Overview Total Time: 10 minutes Yield: 3 to 4 servings Zucchini noodles first gained popularity years ago as a healthier, gluten-free option to pasta. And since then, almost every market (including Trader Joe’s) offers packaged zucchini noodles, which may seem like a more convenient option compared to making them at home. The truth is: store-bought zoodles aren’t only more expensive, but they’re usually a little soggy and need to be consumed quickly. 15 Zucchini Recipes to Add More Green to Your Plate If you’ve always wondered how to make zucchini noodles at home, now’s the time. It’s incredibly easy to do, and the zoodles can be prepared and cooked within minutes. The only big (potential) pitfall is to make sure you don’t overcook your noodles depending on what sauce you use. Follow these four simple steps to make the most delicious zucchini noodles. Whether you’re adding a hearty sauce, or something lighter and refreshing, zoodles are a great option as either a side or main dish. Don’t have a spiralizer? Use a standard vegetable peeler to create a fettuccini-shaped zucchini noodle. Just be sure to pat your zoodles dry with a paper towel before cooking them. If you want to make zucchini noodles with marinara or meat sauce, there’s no need to cook them. Simply heat up the sauce and pour it on the raw zoodles. The heat from the sauce will cook them perfectly so they don’t get soggy. Who says zoodles can only be used as pasta? Toss them into salads and soups for a delicate, delicious addition. How to Cook Zucchini 8 Different Ways—Including Grilled, Fried, and More What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Spiralizer Paper towels Materials 2 large zucchini (for 3-4 servings) Olive oil Garlic Salt and pepper, to taste Sauce of your choice Instructions Wash and Dry the Zucchini Wash the zucchini, pat it dry with paper towels, and then cut both ends. Peeling the zucchini isn’t necessary. Create the Noodles Use an electric or countertop spiralizer to create thin, spaghetti-like zucchini noodles. You may want to cut the noodles with a knife if they’re extremely long. Sauté the Noodles If you’re making a simple, light sauce, sauté the noodles with a bit of olive oil, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper for about 3 minutes. Avoid cooking the noodles for more than 5 minutes, otherwise they will get soggy. Stir in Any Toppings Take the zucchini noodles off the heat and stir in Parmesan and lemon, or fresh pesto, until fully coated. Serve and enjoy! Can You Freeze Zucchini? Here's the Best Way—Whether It's Sliced or Shredded