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Pesto-coated Zucchini Noodles topped with Cherry Tomatoes

  • Author: Lana
  • Total Time: 30 minutes

Description

Pesto-coated Zucchini Noodles topped with Cherry Tomatoes is a fresh and light dish that brings together the vibrant flavors of basil pesto, crisp zucchini noodles, and juicy cherry tomatoes. This dish is not only healthy but also full of flavor, making it the perfect meal for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious, nutritious, and low-carb option. Whether you’re seeking a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a side dish for your next gathering, this recipe will delight your taste buds with its rich, herby pesto and the burst of sweetness from the cherry tomatoes. With no meat or dairy-based ingredients, it also caters to a variety of dietary preferences, including Halal diets.

Ingredients

Scale

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Pesto-coated Zucchini Noodles topped with Cherry Tomatoes:

  • 4 medium zucchini, spiralized into noodles (or use a vegetable peeler to create ribbons)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves (for the pesto)
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts (or walnuts as a substitute)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast (for a vegan version, or substitute with parmesan cheese if not vegan)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Optional toppings: Crushed red pepper flakes, extra basil leaves for garnish

Ingredient Highlights

  • Zucchini: Zucchini is low in calories and high in water content, making it a perfect base for this light dish. It’s also rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which helps support a healthy immune system.
  • Pesto: The pesto is made with fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and nutritional yeast for a creamy, herbaceous sauce without any dairy. Pesto is rich in healthy fats from olive oil and nuts.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and juiciness to the dish, balancing the richness of the pesto and adding extra vitamins and minerals.
  • Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast is a great dairy-free alternative to parmesan, providing a cheesy, savory flavor that complements the pesto and zucchini.

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these easy steps to make the perfect Pesto-coated Zucchini Noodles topped with Cherry Tomatoes:

Prepare the Zucchini Noodles:

  1. Spiralize the Zucchini: Start by washing and trimming the ends of the zucchinis. Using a spiralizer, create zucchini noodles, or use a vegetable peeler to make thin ribbons. If you don’t have a spiralizer, you can also slice the zucchini into thin strips.
  2. Prepare the Tomatoes: Wash the cherry tomatoes and slice them in half. Set them aside to add later.

Make the Pesto:

  1. Blend the Pesto Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until the pesto reaches a smooth, creamy consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor to make sure everything gets blended.
  2. Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Cook the Zucchini Noodles:

  1. Heat the Zucchini Noodles: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes. You want the noodles to warm up and slightly soften but still retain some texture. Don’t cook them too long, as they can become soggy.
  2. Toss with Pesto: Once the zucchini noodles are ready, remove them from the heat and toss them with the prepared pesto. Make sure each noodle is evenly coated.

Assemble and Serve:

  1. Add Cherry Tomatoes: Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes into the zucchini noodles, allowing them to mix in with the pesto sauce.
  2. Garnish and Serve: Serve the pesto-coated zucchini noodles in bowls. You can sprinkle extra nutritional yeast or parmesan on top, and optionally, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
  3. Enjoy: Your Pesto-coated Zucchini Noodles topped with Cherry Tomatoes is now ready to serve. Enjoy this light and flavorful dish on its own or paired with your favorite protein.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2-4
  • Calories: 200-250 kcal
  • Fat: 18g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 4g

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Find it online: https://epicuremeals.com/pesto-coated-zucchini-noodles-topped-with-cherry-tomatoes/