Healthy Eating – Zucchini Noodles & Tomato Basil Sauce

In recent years, the popularity of zucchini noodles, also known as “zoodles,” has soared as people seek healthier alternatives to traditional pasta dishes. These spiralized zucchini noodles offer a lighter, gluten-free option and when paired with a tomato basil sauce, this is a dish that is properly delicious and healthy.

The Zucchini Noodles:

To prepare the zucchini noodles, start by spiralizing fresh zucchini into long, thin strands resembling traditional pasta. You can easily find spiralizers in kitchen supply stores or use a vegetable peeler to create ribbon-like noodles. If you look in the fresh produce section of your supermarket you may also find them ready made! Once you have your zucchini noodles ready, sauté them in a bit of olive oil over medium heat. The goal is to cook them until they are tender but still slightly crisp. This ensures they retain their natural texture while absorbing the flavours of the sauce.

The Tomato Basil Sauce:

Now the tomato basil sauce. In a separate pan, create a sauce by simmering a combination of ripe tomatoes, garlic, onions, and aromatic basil leaves. Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens, and the flavours intensify.

Bringing It All Together:

Once the tomato basil sauce has reached its desired consistency, it’s time to combine it with the zucchini noodles. Toss the cooked zucchini noodles gently in the sauce, ensuring each strand is coated evenly. The result is a light and refreshing dish that leaves you feeling nourished and satisfied.

Health Benefits:

Beyond tasting great, zucchini noodles with tomato basil sauce offer numerous health benefits. By replacing traditional pasta with zucchini noodles, you significantly reduce the calorie and carbohydrate content of the dish. Zucchini is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, potassium, and dietary fibre. Moreover, the tomato basil sauce provides additional nutrients from the tomatoes, which are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, and the basil, which offers anti-inflammatory properties.

If you’re into healthy eating and want to cook on a budget, this is a must try recipe. It’s super yummy and healthy as well.

Happy cooking friends!