Zucchini Noodles Pesto Tomatoes (Printable)

Bright zucchini noodles with basil pesto and sweet tomatoes make a flavorful, light dish perfect for warm days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized
02 - 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pesto

04 - 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
05 - 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
06 - 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 small clove garlic
08 - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
09 - Salt, to taste
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Garnish

12 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
13 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts or walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, drizzle in olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
02 - Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add spiralized zucchini noodles to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring gently until slightly tender but still crisp.
04 - Add the halved cherry tomatoes and toss for 1–2 minutes until just heated but retaining their shape.
05 - Remove skillet from heat. Add the prepared pesto and mix gently to coat zucchini noodles and cherry tomatoes evenly.
06 - Arrange noodles in serving bowls. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pesto clings to the zucchini noodles, giving every bite a fragrant, creamy punch that feels indulgent but is secretly healthy.
  • It's honestly the fastest dinner I know—perfect for those sticky summer nights when turning on the oven sounds unthinkable.
02 -
  • If you cook zucchini noodles too long, they turn watery and limp—stick to just a few minutes so they stay perfect.
  • I discovered squeezing the lemon into the pesto last (not early), keeps the flavor lively and the color bright green.
03 -
  • Pat your zucchini noodles dry with paper towels right after spiralizing to avoid excess moisture.
  • Toast your nuts lightly in the skillet before making pesto for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
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