Delicious Zucchini Noodles Tossed in Fresh Pesto: A Healthy Twist on Pasta
If you love pasta but want something lighter and low-carb, zucchini noodles with pesto are a perfect swap. This vibrant dish delivers the herby, nutty flavor of traditional pesto with the crisp, fresh bite of spiralized zucchini — all while keeping carbs low and healthy fats high. It’s fast to make, keto-friendly, and ideal for warm-weather meals or a quick weeknight dinner.
Why zucchini noodles with pesto work for low-carb and keto
- Zucchini (zoodles) are very low in digestible carbs compared with wheat pasta.
- Classic pesto (basil, olive oil, nuts, Parmesan) supplies satiating fats and rich flavor with only a modest amount of carbs.
- The result is a satisfying, fiber-containing meal that keeps net carbs small — perfect for low-carb and keto eaters who still want bold flavor.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 medium zucchini (about 196 g / 7 oz each), spiralized
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves (about 21 g)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts (about 34 g) — or substitute walnuts/almonds
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 22 g)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil (about 120 ml)
- 1 small garlic clove, peeled
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional: a pinch of red pepper flakes or extra pine nuts to garnish
Quick method
- Make the pesto: In a food processor, pulse basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and lemon juice until coarsely combined. With the processor running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth but still has texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the zucchini noodles: Trim the zucchini ends and spiralize them. If you don’t have a spiralizer, use a julienne peeler or buy pre-spiralized zucchini.
- Toss: In a large bowl, gently toss the zucchini noodles with about half the pesto to start; add more to taste. If you prefer a warmer dish, briefly sauté the zoodles in a skillet over medium heat with a teaspoon of olive oil for 1–2 minutes before tossing with pesto — avoid cooking long or they’ll become soggy.
- Serve: Divide between plates and top with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, or a squeeze of lemon.
Storage and make-ahead
- Pesto will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days (cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to minimize browning).
- Spiralized zucchini is best used the same day but can be stored in the fridge up to 24 hours in a paper-towel–lined container to absorb excess moisture.
Keto/Low-Carb tips
- To reduce carbs further, reduce the number of zucchini slightly and increase the pesto-to-zoodle ratio for a richer, fattier plate (fat is keto-friendly).
- Swap pine nuts for walnuts if you prefer a slightly lower-carb nut option (minimal effect on net carbs).
- Skip the lemon or reduce to 1/2 tablespoon to shave a gram or two of carbs if you’re tracking closely.
Estimated Nutrition (approximate; recipe makes 2 servings)
These values are calculated from common ingredient portions and are approximate. They are provided to help keto and low-carb dieters plan meals — for precise tracking, input your exact brands and amounts into your preferred nutrition tracker.
Per serving (1/2 recipe):
- Calories: ~675 kcal
- Total carbohydrates: ~10.5 g
- Dietary fiber: ~3.1 g
- Sugar alcohols: 0 g
- Net carbs (total carbs − fiber − sugar alcohols): ~7.3 g
- Total fat: ~69.5 g
- Protein: ~8.5 g
Notes on these numbers
- Net carbs (~7.3 g per serving) make this an attractive option for many on ketogenic or low-carb diets. The bulk of calories come from healthy fats in olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan — intentionally so for satiety and keto macro balance.
- Sugar alcohols are effectively zero in this recipe unless you add a sweetener that contains them.
- If you want to further reduce net carbs, reduce the amount of nuts or cheese slightly; the largest carb contributors are the zucchini and the nuts, but both are modest.
Final thoughts
Zucchini noodles with pesto are an easy, flavorful way to enjoy a pasta-like experience while staying low-carb. They’re customizable, quick to prepare, and perfect for anyone who wants an indulgent-tasting meal that supports a keto or low-carb lifestyle. Try swapping nuts, adding grilled chicken or shrimp for more protein, or serving chilled as a bright summer salad — the basic combination of zoodles and fresh pesto is a versatile foundation.
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