Best Ever Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Tahini Sauce
Light, refreshing pasta alternative with a creamy tahini sauce that's the best way to enjoy vegetables. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs zucchini, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 185 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (1.5 lb total) zucchini
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (zest and 1 tbsp juice) lemon
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Using a spiralizer, create noodles from zucchini. If using a julienne peeler, cut zucchini into thin strips, then gently toss with 1 tsp salt to draw out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still crisp, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Step 3: While noodles cook, whisk tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, 1 tbsp water, black pepper, and remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Step 4: Toss hot zucchini noodles with the tahini sauce until evenly coated, adding extra water (1 tsp at a time) if sauce is too thick.
- Step 5: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of lemon zest for bright flavor.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Ever Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Tahini Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (15 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Ever Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Tahini Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep zucchini from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Ever Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Tahini Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Ever Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Tahini Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Best Ever Zucchini Noodles with Lemon-Tahini Sauce low carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
