Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
Title: Zucchini Noodles & Pesto
Author: Britney Shawley
Recipe type: Dinner
Prep time: 15 minute
Cook time: 0 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 people
This pasta was whipped together because of the zucchini and basil growing in my garden!! I was super inspired to make a pesto and I did it with cashews, and it worked!!! You can also add Parmesan cheese if you are okay with cheese, and that adds even more of a punch and flavor. This meal is super simple and highly nutritious!! Eat it on its own or as a side to your main meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
2 large zucchini’s
or whole wheat noodles 1 box
Sauce
2 cups fresh basil (stems removed)
1/4 cup cashews
3 large cloves garlic (peeled)
2-3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp sea salt (plus more to taste)
2-3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3-6 Tbsp water (plus more as needed)
1/2 cup fresh parsley (stems removed – OPTIONAL)
3-4 Tbsp Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast OPTIONAL
For Toppings:
- Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast on top!
Instructions
Sauce:
- Add Basil, parsley (if using), cashews, garlic, lemon, olive oil, salt, pepper, parm cheese( if using) into a blender.
- Put lid on blender and begin to add a bit of water into the top of the blender as you process everything together until smooth. Add just enough water to have a saucy consistency, but not too watery.
Noodles:
- Boil water or Broth! (see notes)
- Spiralize your zucchini into noodles, or chop into match sticks. Add to a big silver bowl.
- Pour a few tablespoons of boiled broth or water over top of noodles so they become soft and warm but not cooked.
Assemble:
- Take a serving of noodles out and put them onto separate plates
- Add a ladle full of sauce on top of noodles and spin noodle around to get coated in sauce
- Add a pinch of salt and shaved parm cheese or nutritional yeast on top. Serve and eat immediately 🙂
Saving Money:
Growing your own herbs is by far the best way to save money. I paid $2 for a basil plant and it grew to 10 times the size of when I bought it. I have been using it all summer long and still have herbs! Herbs are also super easy to keep inside over the colder months.
Quick Tips & Tools:
Tools:
1 food processor or high powered blender. Spatula. Spiralizer Machine or Large knife. Small pot.
Tips:
This is a very herby dressing 🙂 If it is too herby for you, feel free to add 2 tsp’s of honey or coconut sugar to the sauce.
Looking for a crunch? Add some of those cashews on top. Make sure you crush them a bit and then sprinkle them on.
Eat this as a whole meal or as a side to your main meal.
