Sautéed Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Lemon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegetarian dish featuring tender zucchini noodles tossed in a bright garlic-lemon sauce, ready in under 20 minutes. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, low-carb) ready in about 15 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic, red pepper flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.0 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 180 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to brown the garlic.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 medium spiralized zucchinis (about 1 lb) and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender but still firm to the bite.
  3. Step 3: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 zested and juiced lemon (about 2 tbsp juice), 1/4 tsp salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and toss until evenly coated.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Lemon take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Lemon?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Lemon?

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 Sautéed Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Lemon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Garlic Zucchini Noodles with Lemon vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, 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

Related recipes