Zucchini noodles are perfectly keto and perfectly delicious with homemade clam sauce.
My mom’s new spiralizer from Paderno World Cuisine turns zucchini into noodle-like swirls, a perfect pasta substitute. I had no idea what to expect the first time I tried zoodles, but ever since enjoying that first bowl of delicious zoodles and meatballs, I’ve been a bit zoodles obsessed.
On New Year’s Eve, my mom and I decided to try updating our family’s traditional gluten-free spaghetti and clam sauce dinner, replacing the gluten-free pasta with zoodles.
Our creation turned out incredibly delicious and satisfying. So delicious and satisfying that I went back for seconds and thirds and could hardly tell I wasn’t eating pasta.
When I first started following a gluten-free diet years ago, it was very difficult to find great-tasting gluten-free noodles. Today there are many tasty brands to choose from, but I still am not a huge fan of gluten-free pasta. Until I tried zucchini noodles.
Now I can once again enjoy my favorite pasta dishes with these fresh-tasting, delightfully green zoodles: low in calories (unlike pasta!), naturally gluten-free, paleo friendly, and an excellent way to trick yourself into eating more vegetables.
The zoodles are complimented beautifully by the homemade clam sauce. Clams are a wonderful source of Vitamin A, B12, selenium, magnesium, iron, and omega-3. The clam sauce turns these zoodles into an elegant dish for any special occasion.
Ingredients
For your zoodles
• 6 medium zucchinis
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic
For sauce
• Two 6.5 ounce cans minced clams with juice
• ½ cup white wine
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• salt and pepper
• a tablespoon butter
• and 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
It’s hard to believe how quick and easy the sauce is to make. We heated oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Added garlic and cooked until golden. Then added the clams and white wine, simmering until slightly thickened, just five minutes, before adding salt, pepper, parsley, and butter.
Pro tip
Since making zoodles several times, we’ve been experimenting with the best way to cook them. This method seems to make the best zoodles each time and prevents them from turning out soggy: Place the spiralized zucchini in a colander and toss with salt until coated.
Next, place the colander in a shallow bowl for twenty to thirty minutes while the zoodles release their moisture (you can prepare the clam sauce during this time), then pat dry with paper towels.
When the zoodles are ready to cook, heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet. Cook the garlic until fragrant, then add the zoodles and cook abut two minutes. Stir and cook for one more minute.
Then let the zoodles sit for a few minutes to allow any excess water to be released. Drain them after this as well. Finally, transfer them to a bowl and top with the clam sauce and grated parmesan cheese. I’ve found that the zoodles are best when eaten right away.
Start off the year right with this fantastic, healthy twist on the Italian classic: zoodles alle vongole. Spirals of zucchini masquerading as my favorite pasta dish. Enjoy!
More fun zucchini recipes
More Healthy And Delicious Zoodle Recipes Here are my favorite zoodles recipes. They’re so fun to make and very fun to eat too.
Zucchini Lasagna Recipe That Really Rocks This is a delicious low carb meal! And I’ve included a cool cooking video so you can watch how to make it.
Grilled Zucchini Roll Ups – Rolling up grilled zucchini with bolognese sauce and fresh parmesan really takes grilled zucchini to the next level. Wow! These little roll ups make an amazing appetizer.
Bacon. Corn, And Zucchini Sauté – This easy bacon, corn, and zucchini sauté is a delicious side where the veggies really sing.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats – This recipe features beautiful sticks of zucchini hollowed into cute, little boats and filled with sausage and Gruyere cheese. So incredibly tasty and so fun to eat too!
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Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles) With Clam Sauce
Ingredients
- For Zoodles
- 6 medium zucchinis
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- For Sauce
- 2 6.5 ounce cans minced clams with juice
- ½ cup white wine
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut zucchini into zoodles using a spiralizer. Place the spiralized zucchini in a colander and toss with the salt until coated. Place colander in a shallow bowl for 20 - 30 minutes while zoodles release their moisture, then pat dry with paper towels.
- Meanwhile Prepare Clam SauceMeanwhile in a large skillet heat oil over a medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook until golden. Add clams with the juice and the wine and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, parsley and butter. Stir.
- Cook ZoodlesWhen the zoodles are ready to cook, pat them with paper towels. Then heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in another skillet. Add 3 cloves of chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add zoodles (zucchini), and cook about 2 minutes. Stir and cook for one more minute. Then let the zoodles sit for a few minutes to allow any excess water to be released, drain. Transfer to a bowl.
- Pour clam sauce over drained zoodles and gently toss. Top with grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- By The Way Bakery: A Must-Visit Gluten Free Bakery in Manhattan - November 14, 2015
- Is Your Lipstick Gluten-Free? - October 9, 2015
- How To Make Coconut Whipped Cream - May 14, 2015
- Sardines on Cauliflower Toast with Gremolata - April 15, 2015
- Gluten Free Dining at Colors Restaurant, NYC - January 28, 2015
Danni Ackerman says
I just love your blog! I’ve had to go gluten free since last year…ooops strike that, now it’s nearly two years ago! I have found it getting easier but still challenging. Articles like yours sure help! Thanks!
Nicole says
Thanks for your comment, Danni! Congrats on being gluten free for two years! Definitely something to celebrate. 🙂
Jacqueline Bach says
Oh my gosh, this sounds so good! I have done gluten free before too, it helps with migraines and generally feeling better, but you do start to get tired of the pasta. Zucchini is so delicious! I am a vegetarian, so I wouldn’t be able to make this recipe, but a substituted sauce would be great. Thanks for sharing this recipe, good luck with gluten free, and I am definitely going to have to try that spiralizer..!!
Nicole says
I’ve also tried the zoodles with a pesto sauce, and they were delicious. Yes, I think you’ll love the spiralizer if you are a vegetarian. 🙂
Carol Gordon says
Nicole, I have made Zucchini noodle dishes a few times. Have a spiralizer. But I never liked the dishes I made. They were raw dishes mind you. This receipe sounds really good. I like your writing style.
Carol
Nicole says
Thank you, Carol! I’ve never tried the zucchini noodles raw, but maybe they would be a nice addition to a salad with a tasty dressing.
Patricia says
The zoodles look yummy! Not too sure about the clam part though. Not a huge shellfish eater.
Nicole says
Try our meatballs and zoodles recipe instead. 🙂 They’re also tasty with a pesto sauce.
Francene Stanley says
This recipe looks so delicious. I’d love to try it, but clams are not easy to get here in the UK.
Nicole says
That’s so sad to hear it’s difficult to get clams in the UK. Canned clams work just as well as fresh clams in the recipe.
Sophie Bowns says
I’m not sure about the clam sauce, I’m not very keen on sea food. I’d love to try the zucchini noodles, though!
Nicole says
You can try the zoodles with pretty much any sauce. Check out our recipe for zoodles and meatballs.
GiGi Eats says
AW MAN! Makes me want to go home because my dad makes the ultimate clam sauce and then we pour it over salmon or chilean sea bass and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes – it’s utter perfection!
Nicole says
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 Your dad’s recipe sounds amazing. I’m going to have to try that the next time I make clam sauce.
Marcia says
Tried your recipe – wow!!! Absolutely delicious- didn’t miss the pasta at all. I added a can of whole baby clams in addition to the minced clams called for in the recipe – delicious!!!
Barbara says
Hi Marcia! Thank you so much for your coming back and leaving your awesome comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The whole baby clams sound terrific. I’ll have to try them next time. Have a great week. 🙂
Speed Reading says
You know what would be awesome, if you could provide us with the calories for each recipes!I too lazy to count them myself. huahuahua.