Home Recipes Ingredients Vegetables Zucchinis
Molly JasinskiUpdated: Nov. 06, 2023
Strike a low-carb beat by swapping out the pasta or spaghetti squash with zoodles or zucchini noodles in these great recipes.
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Blackened Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles
I love quick and bright meals like this one-skillet wonder. The way it tastes, you'd think it takes a lot more effort, but it goes from prep to dinner table in half an hour. The recipe works well with any light fish, or even shrimp. —Tammy Brownlow, Dallas, Texas
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2/41
Garlic Salmon Linguine
The garlic-seasoned main dish calls for handy pantry ingredients, including pasta and canned salmon. I serve it with asparagus, rolls and fruit. —Theresa Hagan, Glendale, Arizona
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3/41
Greek Chicken Penne
It’s hard to believe a recipe this speedy could create such fresh, mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors. —Dawn Frihauf, Fort Morgan, Colorado
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4/41
Stir-fries and busy nights are a match made in heaven. For a boost of vibrant color and freshness, I sometimes stir in chopped cilantro just before I serve it from the pan. —Nedra Schell, Fort Worth, Texas
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5/41
Zippy Zucchini Pasta
A colorful combination of zucchini and zippy canned tomatoes is delicious over quick-cooking angel hair pasta. We like the extra zest from crushed red pepper flakes. —Kathleen Timberlake, Dearborn Heights, Michigan
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6/41
We love a homemade meal at the end of the day. But the prep involved? Not so much. My Greek-inspired pasta is lemony, herby and, thankfully, easy. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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7/41
No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce
Try this sauce at times when you have a box of pasta or a store-bought pizza shell and need a sure-fire topping. Dinner is served. —Julianne Schnuck, Taste of Home Designer
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8/41
Colorful Shrimp Pad Thai
Bright, fresh veggie flavors, a splash of tart lime juice, the crunch of peanuts and a hint of heat make this healthy, beautiful shrimp stir-fry a real standout! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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9/41
Asian Veggie Glass Noodles
My mom immigrated from the Philippines, so we would often eat Filipino pancit, a well-known glass noodles dish. I took her version and added my own touches to make it easier and a little healthier. —Jasmin Baron, Livonia, New York
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10/41
I love recipes that you can just throw into the slow cooker and let it do all the work. This easy chicken dinner is one of my favorites. —Christina Petri, Alexandria, Minnesota
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11/41
Gnocchi with White Beans
Here’s one of those no-fuss recipes you can toss together and cook in one skillet. Ideal for a busy weeknight, it’s also good with crumbled Italian chicken sausage if you need to please meat lovers. —Julianne Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia
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12/41
Lemon Pasta with Spinach
Healthy spinach, garlic and lemon combine to coat angel hair pasta for a lovely side that’ll freshen any meal. —Charlene Anderson, Bonney Lake, Washington
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13/41
Mediterranean Shrimp Linguine
This picture-perfect linguine is a feast for the eyes and, with a hint of heat, a treat for the palate. —Megan Hidalgo, Quarryville, Pennsylvania
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14/41
Super Spaghetti Sauce
At my house, we never know how many we'll have for dinner. That's why this spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites - flavorful, filling and fast. Smoked kielbasa gives it depth, and salsa adds the kick. —Bella Anderson, Chester, South Carolina
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15/41
Broccoli-Pasta Side Dish
I love to fix new recipes for my husband, Robert, and our children. With garlic and cheese, this broccoli pasta is a tasty way to get kids to eat their veggies. —Judi Lacourse, Mesa, Arizona
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16/41
Honey Chicken Stir-Fry
I'm a new mom, and my schedule is very dependent upon our young son, so I like meals that can be ready in as little time as possible. This all-in-one chicken stir fry recipe with a hint of sweetness from honey is a big time-saver. —Caroline Sperry, Allentown, Michigan
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17/41
Savory Tomato-Braised Tilapia
I shared this recipe with my bunco group and now one of my friends makes it all the time. I think that's the perfect testament to just how good this dish is. —Nancy Shively, Shorewood, Illinois
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18/41
Zucchini Enchiladas
I love this enchilada recipe because it helps me serve a healthy but tasty meal to my family. When my garden is bursting with zucchini, I turn to this dinner to make the most of it. My family loves the freshness of this tasty classic. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
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19/41
Zucchini Pork Dinner
I work full-time, but I love to cook—so I need to rely on meals that are wholesome and fast. This dish deliciously combines both treats! Plus, I like the fact that it doesn't dirty a pile of pots and pans. —Helen Vail, Glenside, Pennsylvania
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20/41
I strongly believe dinner should be three things: healthy, delicious and simple. With fresh zucchini, ham and marinara sauce baked with mozzarella, you can accomplish all three in the time it takes to describe the dish to a grateful family. —Madison Mayberry, Ames, Iowa
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21/41
Garlic Lemon Shrimp
You'll be amazed that you can make this simple, elegant pasta in mere minutes. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all of the garlic lemon sauce. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
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22/41
Shrimp Scampi Fettuccine with Andouille Butter
We enjoy andouille sausage with pasta; now change up the usual Scampi by turning andouille into a butter sauce. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
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23/41
Salsa Spaghetti Squash
If you want spaghetti, but are eating gluten-free or trying to keep a lid on carbs, there's always spaghetti squash as a flavorful alternative. Subtly sweet, tender and satisfying, this is one colorful dish. —Clara Coulson Minney, Washington Court House, Ohio
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24/41
Mango Chutney Chicken Curry
My father dreamed up this curry and chutney combination. Now my family cooks it on road trips—in rain and sun, in the mountains, even on the beach. Adjust the curry for taste and heat. —Dina Moreno, Seattle, Washington
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25/41
Slow-Simmering Pasta Sauce
Spaghetti with sauce is my kids' favorite dinner, so through trial and error, I came up with my own recipe. This is the winning result. I love that it's made in a slow cooker.—Samantha Vicars, Kenosha, Wisconsin
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26/41
Spaghetti Squash Lo Mein
My colorful Lo Mein is a lighter version of the classic Chinese dish that everyone at our table loves. Try it with a squirt of Sriracha. —Loanne Chiu, Fort Worth, Texas
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27/41
Vegan Spaghetti Squash with Balsamic Vegetables
The veggies can be prepared while the squash is in the microwave, so I can have this satisfying low-carb and low-fat vegan spaghetti squash recipe on the table in about half an hour. —Deanna McDonald, Grand Rapids, Michigan
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28/41
Mediterranean Shrimp Skillet
Tender shrimp, fresh spinach and minced basil combine with tangy lemon and feta cheese to give this wonderful pasta toss a unique flavor. —Heidi Farnworth, Riverton, Utah
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29/41
Asian Spaghetti
We love this recipe with its bright, crisp-tender snow peas and carrots, but you could easily substitute any veggies you have on hand. —Anne Smithson, Cary, North Carolina
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30/41
Asian Noodle Stir-Fry
Fast cooking refrigerated pastas can turn anytime into pasta time. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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31/41
Garden Harvest Spaghetti Squash
I was in the grocery store and spotted a perfectly ripe spaghetti squash. I knew I had to try it, so I cooked it according to the label. I topped it with my favorite vegetables for pasta, and it was an instant family favorite. —Veronica McCann, Columbus, Ohio
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32/41
Dijon Shrimp with Pasta
I combined several family recipes to create this dish, which I like to serve when we have company. If my husband had his way, I’d make it every night. —Gail Cawsey, Geneseo, Illinois
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33/41
Meaty Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Marinated artichokes, celery and green pepper are wonderful additions to this hearty spaghetti sauce. Don’t be afraid of leftovers—this tangy sauce is even better the next day. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
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34/41
You won't miss the marinara sauce once you taste this pasta dish flavored with chicken broth and Italian sausage. The sauce simmers away on its own, without much work on your part. My husband likes it so much that I make it twice a week. —Daphine Smith, Baytown, Texas
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35/41
Smoked Mozzarella Chicken with Pasta
Take an ordinary chicken breast into wow territory with just a few extra ingredients. Use prosciutto instead of ham to make the dish extra smoky. —Naylet LaRochelle, Miami, Florida
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Parmesan Snap Pea Pasta
My family loves pasta! This simple dish is always a hit, especially during the spring when sugar snap peas are the sweetest. To keep us from getting in a rut, I change up the flavors. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Speedy Chicken Marsala
This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
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38/41
West African Shrimp
My girls have always loved seafood, so I invented a shrimp dish with coconut milk and ginger. They raved; I was delighted. It's great with jasmine rice. —Sharon Scaletta, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Lemon-Feta Angel Hair
Serve this simple pasta side with any light chicken or fish dish, or, for an easy entree, toss it with asparagus and chopped cooked chicken or shrimp. —Melissa Just, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Herbed Portobello Pasta
Meaty mushrooms make this light pasta taste hearty and filling. It's my fast and fresh go-to weeknight dinner. —Laurie Trombley, Stonyford, California
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Lemon Chicken Pasta
My grandmother made chicken wings and served them over rice. To speed things up, I cook lemony chicken breasts and serve them over capellini pasta. —Aileen Rivera, Bronx, New York
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Originally Published: January 05, 2018