Simple Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) with Warm Tomato Sauce

May Ly

Zucchini noodles or Zoodles are so much fun to make. I held off getting a vegetable spiraliser for so long and was just using my mandolin which did the job fine (you don’t really need any fancy equipment) but I decided to try one out and was so happy when I did get my spiraliser! I now use it for all sorts of root vegetables like carrots, beetroot & zucchini. You can use the curly colourful veggie noodles in salads, soups, as a pasta substitute. The kids also really enjoy getting involved and making their own curly veggie noodles.

I have another zoodle and veggie noodle salad recipe here with different dressing options that you might like to try including a lemon tahini dressing and creamy pesto dressing. For this recipe I just made a warm basic tomato sauce, using simple flavours like garlic, basil and fresh ripe tomatoes, it is really refreshing and simple to make. I often have the sauce stored in the fridge and reheated when needed, the zoodles take next to no time to make.
Simple Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) with Tomato Sauce
Simple Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) with Tomato Sauce

 

 When selecting your zucchini, I think it’s really important to make sure they are firm and really fresh, sometimes I find them a little bitter tasting if they are not as fresh. As for selecting the tomatoes, I used organic vine ripened tomatoes (I also store them at room temperature). Try and use organic if possible, tomatoes can be found to have a lot of pesticide residue. It’s not always easy and economical to choose organic produce, but visiting your local farmers markets will almost always be cheaper than buying from a retail store. I have a list of stores back home in Australia and also in Vietnam where I buy my organic produce. It’s great if you can find a wholesaler also and box share with your family and friends.
Simple Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) with Tomato Sauce
Simple Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) with Tomato Sauce
Serves 2
You will need:
  • 4 large ripe red tomatoes
  • 1 large zucchini (or 2 medium)
  • 1 yellow tomato or cherry tomatoes (optional)
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 6 basil leaves, thinly sliced (a few more to garnish)
  • a small handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp butter
Method:
  • Preheat the oven to 180c degrees
  • Wash and prepare all the vegetables and herbs
  • Place the red tomatoes on a baking tray and bake for around 20mins until the skins split (I find this process also makes the tomatoes so much tastier!)
  • Allow the red tomatoes to cool enough so you can handle them
  • In the meantime, using a spiraliser, mandolin or peeler, cut the zucchini into noodles
  • Slice the yellow tomato or cherry tomatoes, mince up the garlic, slice the basil leaves and grate your parmesan cheese
  • Once the red tomatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skins and hard core
  • Crush them in a medium sized bowl with your hands or a wooden spoon (I keep the seeds and all)
  • Heat your pan on medium heat and add the butter until melted
  • Add the garlic and sauté lightly for about a minute
  • Add the crushed tomatoes and continue to simmer and stir/crush further with a wooden spoon for the next 10 mins
  • Add the basil leaves and stir for another minute or so
  • Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir well, turn off the heat
  • Add the zucchini noodles and toss well
  • Add the sliced tomatoes and divide on 2 plates
  • You can easily save up half the tomato sauce in the fridge and only cut up half your zucchini if only 1 portion is needed
  • Simply heat the remaining sauce the next day
Hope you enjoy! xx
Simple Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) with Warm Tomato Sauce
 
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 4 large ripe red tomatoes
  • 1 large zucchini (or 2 medium)
  • 1 yellow tomato or cherry tomatoes (optional)
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 6 basil leaves, thinly sliced (a few more to garnish)
  • a small handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 180c degrees
  2. Wash and prepare all the vegetables and herbs
  3. Place the red tomatoes on a baking tray and bake for around 20mins until the skins split (I find this process also makes the tomatoes so much tastier!)
  4. Allow the red tomatoes to cool enough so you can handle them
  5. In the meantime, using a spiraliser, mandolin or peeler, cut the zucchini into noodles
  6. Slice the yellow tomato or cherry tomatoes, mince up the garlic, slice the basil leaves and grate your parmesan cheese
  7. Once the red tomatoes are cool enough to handle, remove the skins and hard core
  8. Crush them in a medium sized bowl with your hands or a wooden spoon (I keep the seeds and all)
  9. Heat your pan on medium heat and add the butter until melted
  10. Add the garlic and sauté lightly for about a minute
  11. Add the crushed tomatoes and continue to simmer and stir/crush further with a wooden spoon for the next 10 mins
  12. Add the basil leaves and stir for another minute or so
  13. Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir well, turn off the heat
  14. Add the zucchini noodles and toss well
  15. Add the sliced tomatoes and divide on 2 plates
  16. You can easily save up half the tomato sauce in the fridge and only cut up half your zucchini if only 1 portion is needed
  17. Simply heat the remaining sauce the next day