This gorgeous Caprese Fresh Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad is keto, gluten free, low carb and simple with just 4 ingredients and a delicious dressing! Just 3 g net carbs per serving!
In the heat of the summer months, all I can think about is making keto recipes that do not require turning on my oven.
Simple sides like this recipe is what it’s all about for me and sometimes the simple ingredients make for the perfect dish.
Traditional pasta salad uses regular pasta noodles made from white refined flour or other high carbohydrate flours which won’t work well when you are trying to lose weight on a low carb diet or keto diet.
I will never tell you that zucchini noodles tastes like real pasta, but my keto pasta recipe with spiralized zucchini has just 4 total grams of carbs per serving and won’t kick you out of ketosis. If you’ve never tried zoodles, you should give this recipe a go!
To make this a complete meal, feel free to add any cooked protein of choice.
Caprese Salad with a Twist
A classic caprese salad gets a little make over adding in zucchini noodles to give it a little something extra in that bite. Smooth mozzarella, perfectly ripe and sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh basil make this a flavorful dish everyone will love.
Plus it’s that time of year that most gardens will have an excess of zucchini and tomatoes, am I right?
Zucchini noodle recipes became really popular for keto dieters to make a low carb meal to replace pasta in a typical pasta dish.
Honestly the best way I have found to enjoy zoodles is sauteed over medium heat with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese, sea salt and black pepper. Simple and delish!
FAQs
Why are the zucchini noodles raw?
Cooking zucchini noodles is totally up to you if you don’t want to eat this salad with raw zucchini. I find they have a nice bite when raw, like a cucumber does but again if you want to blanch the zucchini noodles until they are al dente you can certainly do that.
What can I use to spiralize the zucchini?
A julienne peeler is a great tool if you don’t have much space in the kitchen and will make strips of zucchini. A veggie spiralizer makes long, curly noodles using a large zucchini.
Can I make this Caprese salad ahead?
Yes you can make this caprese zucchini pasta salad up to one day ahead of time. Just keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Making ahead salads like this for a cookout or a simple side for a weeknight meal is how I like to roll in the summer. Stress free and easy is the theme I’m working on for a summer to enjoy with my kids and not slaving in the kitchen every day.
Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
Dressing doesn’t have to be complicated to have an impact of robust flavor. A hint of lemon is what gives it that freshness and zesty bite.
Keto Pasta Sauce Recommendations
Keto Alfredo Sauce -Primal Kitchen sells a great low carb option and has grams of net carbs, but if you feel like making it at home, here’s my recipe for Alfredo pizza!
Keto Tomato Sauce- Here is my homemade sauce but this brand has a good one as well.
Keto Marinara Sauce- my homemade marinara is quick and easy, but if you prefer to buy, I like the Rao’s brand because it is low in carbs.
How to Make Keto Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
For the exact measurements and printing ability with nutritional information please scroll down to the bottom of this post for the recipe card.
Simple Ingredients
Fresh zucchini noodles
Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Mozzarella cheese pearls
Fresh basil, chopped
Dressing
Extra virgin olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Fresh lemon juice
Sea salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Directions
Add all ingredients into a bowl.
Whisk dressing ingredients in another bowl and toss together.
Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Best Tips for Zucchini Pasta Salad
The zucchini noodles do tend to get kind of long so it’s best once in the bowl, cut them in half so it’s easier to serve.
I kept the skin on my zucchini and it is not cooked, this is eaten raw. Feel free to blanch or sauté the noodles if you prefer a softer texture.
I have a Paderno spiralizer.
Make ahead and refrigerate up to a day ahead.
Easy Dinner Recipes
Enjoy this refreshing side dish salad with any meal, like my Crock Pot BBQ Ribs or Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Thighs!
How to Store Delicious Zucchini Noodles
Whenever you spiralize zucchini, you can keep it in an airtight container for up to 7 days raw. When you are ready to use it in a recipe, saute or blanch or serve raw like in this pasta salad.
Low Carb Keto Zucchini Noodle Salad
Caprese Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #343434; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #343434; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #343434; }
Servings 8 cups
Calories 166kcal
Ingredients
- 4 zucchini or 8 cups zucchini noodles
- 4 ounces cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1 ounce fresh basil chopped
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients into a bowl.
-
Whisk dressing ingredients in another bowl and toss together.
-
Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- The zucchini noodles do tend to get kind of long so it’s best once in the bowl, cut them in half so it’s easier to serve.
- I kept the skin on my zucchini and it is not cooked, this is eaten raw. Feel free to blanch or sauté the noodles if you prefer a softer texture.
- I have a Paderno spiralizer.
- Make ahead and refrigerate up to a day ahead.
- This recipe was first published in June 2016 and updated with video in August 2018.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 22.1mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 0.8mg
