How do you cook zucchini noodles so they don't get soggy?

To avoid soggy and limp noodles, I recommend cooking for only 3-5 minutes (5 if you're cooking more than 1-2 spiralized zucchinis) and tossing frequently . You want a slightly al dente noodle.

Should you salt zucchini noodles before cooking?

Add zucchini noodles. Toss with tongs and let the zucchini cook for just a minute or two. Remove from heat and add to sauce or add some salt and eat as is. Note: Don't salt the zucchini before you saute it ; the noodles will release more water and they'll end up limp.

How to make zucchini not watery?

Salt your zucchini slices : Salt helps to draw water out of the zucchini! Once salted, let them sit for 15 minutes before blotting dry (and removing some of that salt) with a paper towel.

How do you keep zucchini from getting soggy when frying?

Yes, you should always salt your zucchini before frying — especially if you're aiming to achieve a crispy texture. Salting your zucchini helps remove the excess moisture stuck in the zucchini that would otherwise make frying a challenge.

How do you know when zucchini noodles are done?

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, then season the water generously with salt. Add the zucchini noodles and cook until the noodles are crisp tender , 1 to 2 minutes.

Can you prep zucchini noodles ahead of time?

After you've spiralized several zucchini, line a large plastic or glass storage container with a paper towel, add your noodles and place in the refrigerator. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 days.

What is the gadget for making 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.

Should you dry zucchini noodles?

If you have the time, I highly recommend making your zoodles the day before you plan to serve them . I'll often make a batch of zoodles for random meals throughout the week, and making them ahead of time allows them to dry out so that they won't have much moisture left when you're ready to use them!

How to cook zoodles so they aren't soggy?

Instructions Heat a skillet over medium heat and add in the oil. Once the pan is hot, add the zoodles in and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes or until the noodles are warmed through. Don't overcook, just warm up the noodles to keep them from becoming watery and mushy. Jun 9, 2022

Why is my zucchini mushy after cooking?

Zucchini is made of over 90% water. When cooked, it gets soft and slowly releases that water into whatever dish you're cooking. If zucchini is overcooked , it will have a mushy, soft texture.

How do you know when zucchini is cooked?

Once the zucchini is caramelizing, you'll continue to cook it until it's until tender all the way through— a paring knife or a fork should slip in without much resistance—but not yet mushy .

How do you keep cooked noodles from getting mushy?

Water at an adequate boil will cook pasta faster, without suffering a significant temperature drop when the noodles are added, and this will keep your pasta from getting mushy.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it?

Things You Should Know. If you see mold, black spots, browning, yellowing, shriveling, or wrinkling on the skin of your zucchini, it has likely gone bad. A soft, mushy, or slimy texture also indicates spoilage .

How long to salt zucchini to remove moisture?

If you do not have kosher salt on hand, use a teaspoon or so of regular table salt. 1. Place zucchini slices in colander and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Set colander over bowl until about 1/3 cup water drains from zucchini, about 30 minutes .

Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles Recipe (2024)

By Marjory Pilley Published Aug 6, 2019 · Updated Apr 22, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles are a fun side dish that pairs perfectly with shrimp, chicken, and meatballs. This recipe is low-carb, keto and gluten-free...but that's not all you'll love about it!

If you have a skillet full of Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles or "zoodles" then a balanced dinner is just minutes away.

That's why I can't say enough good things about spiralized zucchini recipes. This recipe is very similar to Lemon Garlic Zucchini Noodles. All the same tips and tricks apply, except that Parmesan Cheese is stirred in at the last minute instead of lemon juice.

Both versions are very tasty but have distinctly different flavor profiles.

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Step by Step Details
What to serve with Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Noodles
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Step by Step Details

Below are notes related to each step of the recipe instructions for Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles. Or scroll down for the recipe card.

1 - Spiralize Zucchini.

Zucchini is easily made into zoodles with a hand-held spiralizer. If you don't have one, then use a vegetable peeler to make ribbons as we did to make zucchini ribbons sauteed in garlic and rosemary

The noodles can be very long. Cut long strands in half so they are manageable to eat.

You do NOT need to peel the zucchini unless you want to. The skin adds color and contains nutritional value.

Pat the noodles dry if they are very "wet" which often happens if they have been prepared ahead of time.

What to serve with Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Noodles

This dish easily becomes a one-pot meal by cooking a protein in the pan either before or after preparing the noodles. Here are some pairings to try:

Skillet Shrimp in 10 Minutes or Less
Chicken and Apple Sausage, such as Aidells
Crispy Pan Fried Tofu by iFoodreal

One of the strategies in our Healthy Weekly Dinner Plan is to cook once and eat twice. The following core recipes pair perfectly with Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles.

Add cooked and diced Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken or Baked Blackened Chicken to the cooked zucchini noodles to create a new meal.
If you have Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs or Easy Chicken Meatballs in the freezer, defrost and mix them with the zoodles to create a spaghetti-like dish. You can even stir in marinara sauce.

If you have a favorite way to use your zucchini noodles, drop us a note in the comments below.

Please rate this recipe and tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see what you are cooking up!

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