How to Make Zucchini Noodles

Learn how to make zucchini noodles in 5 different shapes! Healthy, easy & fun, they're the best way to add extra veggies to pasta salad, lasagna & more.

Zucchini Noodles

Nowadays, spiralized zucchini noodles are easy to find at the store, but they’re so much better when freshly cut. Curly & long, they seem like a natural pasta substitute, but let me tell you – these fresh, vibrant veggie noodles can do so much more than sub in for spaghetti!

I add them to soups, salads & pasta salads, and even layer them into lasagna. They may seem intimidating to make at home, but with the right tools (spoiler alert: a spiralizer isn’t always necessary!), it’s easy. 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!

Zucchini noodles recipe

How to Make Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles of all shapes & sizes are simple to make. My goal for this post is to show you how to make a variety of noodle shapes using a variety of different kitchen tools. I outline my 5 favorite kinds of zucchini noodles below, along with the pros & cons of each method, what tools you’ll need, and what brands I’ve had the most success with.

How to make zucchini noodles

1. Make Curly “Spaghetti” Zucchini Noodles using a Spiralizer.

I’ve worked with two types of spiralizers – countertop spiralizers and the KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment. Of the countertop spiralizers I’ve owned, the Inspiralizer (pictured above) has been my favorite. It clamps to the counter, so it doesn’t move around while you work. It’s also easy to clean and relatively small, so it’s easy to store.

The KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment makes great curly noodles too. It’s pricier, but if you want to make sweet potato or butternut squash noodles, it’s the best option: it’ll cut through these tough vegetables without requiring tons of arm strength.

How to make zucchini noodles

2. Make “Angel Hair” Zucchini Noodles using a Julienne peeler.

Julienned noodles are thinner and straighter than spiralized noodles, but they taste just the same! I love this option because julienne peelers are tiny, so they’ll fit in any drawer. They’re also cheap! I tested out three types so that I could recommend the best one for you (this one, this one, and this one). They all worked perfectly, so my choice is this OXO Good Grips one because it’s just $7.

This method has a couple cons. It takes a little longer than spiralizing since it’s a more manual process. And in my experience, the peeler blades dull over time. I replace my julienne peeler every year or so, depending on how much I use it.

How to make zucchini noodles

3. Make “Fettucine” Zucchini Noodles using a Mandoline and a knife.

I love having a mandoline on hand to cut vegetables like radishes, cucumbers, and cabbage into paper-thin slices, but you can use one to make zucchini noodles, too! Slice thin zucchini planks with the mandoline, and then use a sharp knife to cut those planks  into fettuccine-sized strips. If you go this route, please, please, please be careful. It’s easy to cut yourself on a mandoline. I like the Benriner Mandoline because it’s small and easy to store.

How to cook zucchini noodles

4. Make “Pappardelle” Zucchini Noodles using a regular vegetable peeler.

I love this option because you don’t need a fancy gadget. I like to use smaller squash here, peeling them vertically into thin strips. You end up with yummy pappardelle-sized noodles! This OXO Peeler (pictured) and the Kuhn Rikon Peeler are my favorites.

Zucchini noodles recipe

5. Make Lasagna Zucchini “Noodles” with a sharp chef’s knife.

… Because lasagna noodles are noodles too! Use a sharp knife to slice your zucchini vertically into thin planks, and layer them into your next lasagna in place of the pasta.

Zucchini Noodles

How to Cook Zucchini Noodles

If I’m making any of the first 4 types of zucchini noodles, there are two ways I like to cook them (or not):

  • Don’t! We like our regular pasta with a nice al dente bite, and the same goes for cooking zoodles! If you serve a warm sauce over the noodles, it will gently heat them through, so no actual cooking is necessary.
  • A very quick pan sauté. When I make zoodle recipes that also include sautéed veggies, I add the zoodles to the pan right at the end of the cooking time. I gently toss them with the other veggies and/or sauce for about a minute over medium heat, just until they’re warmed through. Don’t cook them any longer, or they’ll get soft and watery.

If I’m making lasagna, I bake until the zucchini is tender, but still has a nice bite. The cooking time will be similar to or slightly longer than a cooking time for a lasagna made with regular pasta.

Zucchini Noodles Recipe

Looking for zucchini noodles recipes?

Try any of these:

Zucchini noodles recipe

Still want more ideas for cooking zucchini noodles?

Substitute them for some or all of the regular noodles in these recipes:

Or simply toss them with olive oil and lemon juice, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!

How to make zucchini noodles

Waste Not, Want Not

When you’re done making zoodles, you’ll likely have some scrap pieces left over. There’s no need to toss them! Blend extra zucchini scraps into hummus, smoothies, creamy zucchini soup, or use it to make the “ricotta” filling in this lasagna recipe. Chop it up and toss it into a frittata or make zucchini pesto (there’s a recipe on page 275 of The Love & Lemons Cookbook).

If you’re looking for more zucchini recipes, check out this post for 35 of my favorites.

More Plant-Based Cooking Basics

If you love this recipe, try one of these plant-based cooking components next:

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How to Make Zucchini Noodles

rate this recipe:
5 from 14 votes
Prep Time: 14 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves 2
Learn how to make zucchini noodles in different shapes!

Ingredients

Sauce and topping options:

Instructions

  • Choose the type of noodle you would like to make and follow the corresponding instructions.
  • For curly "spaghetti" noodles using a countertop spiralizer: Clamp the spiralizer to your countertop. Trim off the tip of the zucchini and secure it between the blade and the teeth of the spiralizer. Turn the handle to make the noodles.
  • For straight "angel hair' noodles using a julienne peeler: Simply hold the zucchini with one hand and pull the julienne peeler across the zucchini to make strips.
  • For "fettucine" noodles using a mandoline and a knife: Slice thin zucchini planks with the mandoline, and then cut those planks into fettuccine-sized strips.
  • For "pappardelle" noodles using a regular vegetable peeler: Use the peeler to simply peel thin strips of zucchini.
  • To cook the zucchini noodles, heat a skillet to medium heat and brush with olive oil. Add the noodles and cook for 1 minute, or until just warmed through. Remove from the heat and serve with desired sauce and toppings.
  • Alternatively, serve the zucchini noodles raw with a warm sauce (the heat of the sauce will gently cook the noodles without making them mushy).

 

13 comments

5 from 14 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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  1. Rosa
    01.25.2024

    Hi,
    Can zucchini noodles be used as a meal prep or will they be too mushy the following day?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      01.27.2024

      They’re great for meal prep, they last well in the fridge for a few days.

  2. Steve Foster
    05.01.2021

    5 stars
    Fantastic web site with some really interesting ideas.

  3. Jen
    08.27.2020

    How far in advance can you spiralize the zucchini into noodles? I’m making a zoodle pasta salad in a couple days and wondering if I need to wait until just before to spiralize them.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.27.2020

      Hi Jen, they’re best the day they’re spiralized, but you could get away with making them the day before and store them in a plastic bag in the fridge.

      • Greg
        07.11.2021

        How long can the noodles keep after cooking/warming. We usually eat leftovers for a couples days after cooking.

        • Jeanine Donofrio
          07.12.2021

          Hi Greg, when cooked, I eat them right away or they get soggy. Before they’re cooked, you can keep them in the fridge for a couple of days.

          • Poppa Mick
            07.04.2023

            Jeanine…a bit off topic, but I make a zucchini soup with shredded zucchini (much like coarsely shredded cabbage). And it is good reheated for 3-4 days, [even after freezing, and reheating, it has substance, not mushy]… just thought I’d share… thanks for all your tips, and sharing your recipes…

  4. Dawn Baker
    07.07.2020

    5 stars
    My son decided to start the keto diet but loves pasta, I tried your angel hair zoonoodle & it is amazing! We now use squash noodles for all my pasta dishes!!!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      07.10.2020

      Hi Dawn, I’m so glad you loved it!

  5. Karen
    06.26.2020

    5 stars
    Hi Love & Lemons!
    We just discovered you and immediately signed up for your newsletter. Love these ideas for healthy eating zucchini style. 🙂
    We’re in Chicago too! It would be great to connect to spread the wellness/healthy living vibe together in some way! Let’s talk…
    All the best, Karen
    (@koecolife)

  6. Susan
    08.20.2019

    I have a Paderno spiralizer and an Inspiralizer, and even though the Paderno is good, the Inspiralizer is better. The rubber feet on the Paderno do not stick to the counter properly, but the Inspiarlizer is very dependable about sticking to the counter.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      08.21.2019

      Hi Susan, I feel the same way after using both as well 🙂

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.