Zucchini Spaghetti

Indulge in the perfect blend of savory flavors with this Zucchini Spaghetti recipe. Tender ground beef and turkey meatballs, complemented by a luscious tomato sauce and served over zucchini noodles, create a wholesome and satisfying dish.

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Updated July 2023

Zucchini Spaghetti – A Low Carb Delight!

If you’re looking for a hearty and wholesome meal that’s bursting with flavor, look no further than this Zucchini Spaghetti. Our Zucchini Pasta recipe features tender and flavorful meatballs swimming in a luscious tomato sauce, all served over perfectly sautéed zucchini noodles. It’s a delectable low-carb dish that is a perfect fusion of comfort and health for a satisfying meal that’s both nutritious and delicious.

With our zucchini and meatballs recipe, you can savor the flavors of a classic Italian-style dish while indulging in a low carb alternative. Whether you enjoy them raw or sautéed, this zoodles and meatballs recipe is perfect for those looking to add a healthy and delicious twist to their pasta nights!

What are Zoodles?

Zoodles, short for “zucchini noodles,” are a popular low-carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, vegan and Whole30 alternative to traditional pasta. They are made by spiralizing or using a vegetable peeler to create long, thin strips from fresh zucchini, resembling spaghetti noodles. Zoodles are not only a nutritious option but also a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite pasta dishes guilt-free.

While zoodles don’t have the exact taste and texture of traditional pasta, they do have a mild, neutral flavor that pairs well with a variety of sauces and seasonings. They absorb the flavors of the sauces they are paired with, making them a delicious and healthy pasta alternative.

You can mix zoodles with regular pasta if you want to reduce the carb content of your dish while still enjoying the taste and texture of traditional pasta. Blending the two types of noodles adds variety and nutritional benefits to your meal.

Recipe Ingredients

• Ground Beef and Turkey: The combination of these meats brings a rich and savory taste to the meatballs, making them tender and juicy.
• Parmesan Cheese (or Nutritional Yeast): Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and cheesy flavor to the meatballs, but you can opt for nutritional yeast for a Whole30 or paleo-friendly alternative.
• Italian Seasoning: This aromatic blend of herbs elevates the meatballs’ flavor, adding a touch of Italian flair.
• Almond Flour (or Gluten-Free Bread Crumbs): Acting as the binder, almond flour (or gluten-free bread crumbs) ensures the meatballs hold their shape without compromising on taste.
• Tomato Sauce: The rich and flavorful tomato sauce ties the dish together, offering a delightful complement to the meatballs and zucchini noodles.
• Zucchini: The star of the dish, spiralized zucchini transforms into a low-carb pasta alternative that’s light, nutritious, and incredibly tasty.

How to Make Zucchini Spaghetti 

• Prepare the Meatballs: Mix ground beef, turkey, cheese, Italian seasoning, egg, almond flour, onion, garlic, and parsley together. Shape into round meatballs.

  

  

• Cook meatballs on the stove or in the oven.
• Create the Tomato Sauce: Sauté onions, carrots, and garlic in olive oil. Add tomato paste, diced and crushed tomatoes, beef broth, oregano, and bay leaf. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens, then stir in basil.
• Spiralize the Zucchini: Transform the zucchini into delightful noodles using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler.
• Sauté the Zucchini Noodles: Lightly sauté the zucchini pasta noodles until slightly softened.
• Assemble the Dish: Place zucchini noodles in bowls, top with tomato sauce and meatballs. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Tips for Success: Mastering the Art of Zucchini Spaghetti and Meatballs

• Perfect Meatballs: When combining the ingredients for the meatballs, avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
• Stove or Oven: Choose between stovetop or oven cooking for the meatballs, based on your preference and convenience.
• Sauté Zucchini with Care: For tender zucchini noodles, sauté them only for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened, but still with a pleasant bite.

Storage and Freezer Instructions

• Turkey Meatballs: If you have extra meatballs, you can freeze them for later use or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Zucchini Noodles: You can spiralize the zucchini noodles ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that they may release some moisture as they sit, so it’s best to eat them fresh if possible.
• Can I freeze Zoodles? While it’s best to enjoy zoodles fresh for the best texture and flavor, you can freeze them for later use. First, blanch the zoodles in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes, then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat them dry and freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

• Raw Zucchini Noodles: Enjoy the zucchini noodles raw for a refreshing and crunchy experience, perfect for warmer days.
• Cooked Zucchini Noodles: For a warm and comforting meal, lightly sauté the zucchini noodles before serving.

Variations and Substitutions

• Meat Alternatives: If you prefer, you can use your choice of ground meat or meat alternatives like turkey, chicken, or plant-based options.
• Tomato Sauce Options: While the recipe calls for a homemade tomato sauce, you can use jarred marinara sauce for added convenience.
• Other vegetable noodle options: Besides zucchini, you can make noodles from various vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, cucumbers, and even butternut squash. Each vegetable will have its unique flavor and texture, adding versatility to your dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. How do I make Zoodles? To make zoodles, you can use a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler. Simply trim the ends of the zucchini, insert it into the spiralizer or use the peeler to create long, noodle-like strips. You can enjoy zoodles raw in salads or lightly sauté them for a warm pasta-like experience.

2. Are Zoodles a healthy alternative to regular pasta? Yes, zoodles are a healthy alternative to regular pasta. They are low in calories, carbs, and fat while being rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They are especially popular among those following low-carb, gluten-free, or paleo diets.

More zucchini noodle recipes you will love:

One Pan Skillet Lasagna Zoodles

Pad Thai Zoodles {Zucchini Noodles}

Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp

5 from 5 votes

Print

Zucchini Spaghetti

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

25 mins

Total Time

40 mins

 

Indulge in the perfect blend of savory flavors with this Zucchini Spaghetti recipe. Tender ground beef and turkey meatballs, complemented by a luscious tomato sauce and served over zucchini noodles, create a wholesome and satisfying dish.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: 30 minute dinner recipe, low carb, zoodles, zoodles and meatballs, zucchini meatballs, zucchini noodles

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 288 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• olive oil , for frying

FOR THE MEATBALLS: (use frozen or premade if preferred):

• 3/4 pounds ground beef chuck
• 1/2 pound ground turkey
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese omit and sub with nutritional yeast for Whole30 or paleo
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 large egg lightly beaten
• 1/4 onion minced
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 Tablespoons almond flour or use gluten free bread crumbs for non low carb
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE (can also use jarred marinara sauce):

• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 carrots peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (Italian or fire-roasted)
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup low sodium beef broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 3/4 teaspoon dried basil

• 5-6 medium zucchini about 2 1/4 pounds total, spiralized into noodles using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler
• chopped parsley for serving
• grated Parmesan cheese for serving, leave out for Whole30

Instructions

FOR THE MEATBALLS:

1. Combine the ground beef, turkey, cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion and garlic together. Stir in egg, almond flour and parsley until just combined. Do not overmix.

2. Using your hands, form into round 1.5" meatballs.

3. TO COOK ON THE STOVE: Heat 2-3 tablespoons oil in a large 12" skillet on medium heat. Add the meatballs in a single layer and cook for 8-10 minutes, browning on all sides. Transfer to paper-lined plate and repeat, if necessary with remaining meatballs.

4. TO COOK IN THE OVEN: Preheat oven to 415 F. Place the meatballs on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper, in a single row. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.

FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE:

1. Discard oil and wipe down the same skillet. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil on medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, and garlic and cook until softened and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, broth, oregano and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and simmer gently until sauce thickens about 20 minutes. Stir in basil and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the cooked meatballs and simmer, until heated through.

TO MAKE THE ZUCCHINI NOODLES:

1. Spiralize zucchini using a spiralizer or vegetable peeler into noodles. At this point, you can divide into bowls if serving raw.

2. To cook zoodles, lightly oil a pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and saute for 1-2 minutes or slightly softened but still tender. Do not overcook.

TO ASSEMBLE:

1. Transfer to bowls and spoon sauce and meatballs over zucchini noodles. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• Turkey Meatballs: If you have extra meatballs, you can freeze them for later use or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Zucchini Noodles: You can spiralize the zucchini noodles ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that they may release some moisture as they sit, so it's best to eat them fresh if possible.
• How to freeze: While it's best to enjoy zoodles fresh for the best texture and flavor, you can freeze them for later use. First, blanch the zoodles in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes, then plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. Pat them dry and freeze them in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Zucchini Spaghetti

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 288 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 25g50%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on July 25, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation.