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Zucchini noodles with marinara sauce topped with Parmesan cheese

How to Make Zucchini Noodles with Marinara Sauce: A Simple Delight

Enjoy a healthy and flavorful alternative to pasta with these simple zucchini noodles tossed in a rich, homemade marinara sauce. This quick recipe is perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American, Vegetarian
Servings 2 servings

Equipment

  • spiralizer
  • Julienne peeler
  • blender
  • Medium pot

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large zucchini julienne or spiralized
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt for zucchini
  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil
  • 2 medium onions chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons honey or coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt for sauce
  • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast Optional

Sauce

  • 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons honey or coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt for sauce

Zucchini Noodles

  • 2 large zucchini julienne or spiralized
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt for zucchini

Garnish

  • Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast Optional

Instructions
 

  • Prepare zucchini noodles by julienning or spiralizing 2 large zucchinis. Toss with 2 teaspoons sea salt and set aside to drain.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons cooking oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 chopped onions and cook for 10 minutes until browned, stirring frequently.
  • Add 3 smashed cloves of garlic to the pot and cook for 2 more minutes until fragrant.
  • Transfer the cooked onions and garlic to a blender. Add the 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes and blend until smooth.
  • Pour the blended sauce back into the pot. Stir in 2 teaspoons honey or coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Heat the sauce until warm.
  • Rinse the prepared zucchini noodles under hot water. Gently squeeze handfuls of the noodles to remove excess moisture.
  • Serve the zucchini noodles topped with the warm marinara sauce. Garnish with optional Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.

Sauce Preparation

  • In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add 2 chopped onions and cook for 10 minutes until browned, stirring often.
  • Add 3 smashed cloves of garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Transfer the onion and garlic mixture to a blender. Add the 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes and blend until smooth.
  • Return the sauce to the pot. Stir in 2 teaspoons of honey or coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Heat until warm.

Noodle Preparation

  • Julienne or spiralize 2 large zucchinis. Toss them with 2 teaspoons of sea salt and let them sit.
  • Rinse the salted zucchini noodles under hot water. Gently squeeze handfuls to remove excess moisture before serving.

Notes

To prevent sogginess, avoid boiling or sautéing the zucchini noodles; instead, rinse them under hot water and gently squeeze out excess moisture. Do not use the inner seedy part of the zucchini.
Keyword easy vegetarian recipe, healthy pasta alternative, marinara sauce, zucchini noodles