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Garlic Parmesan Zoodles served in a white bowl with golden garlic butter sauce, shaved Parmesan, fresh basil, and cracked black pepper

Garlic Parmesan Zoodles

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • Spiralizer or julienne peeler
  • Large wide skillet (12-inch)
  • Colander
  • Kitchen towel
  • Tongs
  • Box grater or Microplane

Ingredients
  

Zoodles

  • 4 medium zucchini about 2 lbs total, spiralized into noodles
  • 1 tsp kosher salt for drawing out moisture

Garlic Parmesan Sauce

  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
  • 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano freshly grated, plus more for serving
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice about half a lemon
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional, adjust to taste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil or flat-leaf parsley roughly torn or chopped
  • freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Prep the Zoodles

  • Spiralize the zucchini using a spiralizer on the medium-thickness setting (or use a julienne peeler for ribbon-style noodles). Place the zoodles in a large colander set over the sink or a bowl.
  • Toss the zoodles with 1 tsp kosher salt and let them rest for 15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Then gather the noodles in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and squeeze firmly to remove as much liquid as possible. Set aside.

Build the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • Heat a large, wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tbsp of the butter and the olive oil. Once the butter is melted and foamy, add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using).
  • Cook the garlic, stirring occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes until it turns golden and fragrant. Watch it carefully — you want golden, not brown.
  • Pour in the white wine and let it bubble and reduce for about 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Cook the Zoodles

  • Increase the heat to high. Add the squeezed zoodles to the pan and toss quickly with tongs to coat them in the garlic butter. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, tossing frequently, until the noodles are just tender but still have a slight bite. Do not overcook.
  • Remove the pan from the heat completely. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of cold butter, the lemon juice, and the freshly grated Parmesan. Toss quickly and vigorously with tongs until the cheese and butter melt into a glossy sauce that coats every strand.

Serve

  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and additional lemon juice if needed. Divide the zoodles between bowls using tongs (leave any excess liquid in the pan).
  • Top with extra shaved Parmesan, fresh basil or parsley, and a final crack of black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat quickly in a hot skillet with a small knob of butter — do not microwave. The sauce will not be quite as glossy upon reheating, but the flavor is still great.
Make it a meal: Add pan-seared shrimp (cook 2 minutes per side in the same pan before the garlic step), grilled chicken, or white beans for a complete protein-rich dinner.
Wine-free version: Substitute dry white wine with an equal amount of vegetable broth plus an extra squeeze of lemon juice.
Spiralizer tip: Medium-sized zucchini (about 7–8 inches long) work best. Very large zucchini have more seeds and higher water content, which makes the noodles softer.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSodium: 520mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6g
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