Thanks for stopping in for Meatless Monday! I am still on a zucchini and squash binge over here of late. Today, I am excited to share this easy and healthy take on a classic Italian Cacio e Pepe dish. I’ve prepared mine with zucchini noodles instead of the traditional spaghetti today. This delicious side is now gluten free, vegetarian, low carb and lower calorie-everyone’s happy!
Cacio e Pepe Zucchini Noodles
Ok so what is Cacio e Pepe and why do I need it in my life? A classic Italian dish from Rome, it literally mean cheese and pepper. The ingredients are simple: black pepper, Parmesan cheese and pasta. A minimalist Italian dish easy enough for a weeknight but tasty enough for any night.
While I could of course inhale a huge plate of this cheesy goodness on the regular, I would most likely find myself in a carb induced food coma. I took my love of all things Italian food and created this healthier and much lower calorie version using zucchini noodles instead of pasta. Yes, I am fairly sure someone in Italy is currently cringing at the thought of this! However, this Cacio e Pepe is now fit for any night you need a healthy and easy side.
[You may also like (no noodle) Spinach & Spaghetti Squash Lasagna]
Why Zucchini noodles? Zucchini is the perfect conduit for a healthy, low carb, and low calorie pasta like meal. It’s inexpensive, easy to find, and very versatile. Zucchini is full of potassium, vitamin c, and B-6, and antioxidants. Its mild flavor makes it easy to use for a variety of recipes. What’s not to love?
My Easy & Healthy Cacio e Pepe Zucchini Noodles can come together in under 10 minutes with under 5 ingredients. The most important step is “spiralizing” your zucchini (basically creating pasta like strands). Some grocery stores sell zucchini already spiralized but it’s so easy to quickly do yourself. If you have a Kitchen Aid mixer at home (best wedding gift ever!) there is a spiralizer attachment that fits right onto it. Genius! If not, I also like this easy and inexpensive hand model.
From there, it’s a quick flash in the pan with your zucchini noodles. Then, a small amount of butter, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese is all you need. In just a few minutes you have a healthy and delicious cheesy side that the whole family will love. Best served a la minute!
Easy & Healthy Cacio e Pepe Zucchini Noodles
A lightened up version of an Italian classic. These Easy & Healthy Cacio e Pepe Zucchini Noodles will quickly become a go to. Low carb, low calorie, vegetarian, under 5 ingredients and gluten free
Ingredients
- 2 large zucchini squash- spiralized and salted
- 1/4 Cup fresh Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1-2 teaspoons of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- optional topping: crushed red pepper and fresh basil
Instructions
- heat a medium skillet with a 1/2 cup of water to med high
- toss in zucchini for 1 minute
- remove and strain in colander over sink
- Meanwhile melt butter in same pan over med
- add in garlic and pepper stir
- add in Parmesan cheese and allow to melt together for 1 min
- Toss in zucchini noodles to coat
- serve immediately
Notes
best served a la minute! Use high quality Parmesan Cheese for best results
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 176Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 266mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g
Ready to give this Cacio e Pepe a try this week? Let me know how it goes?
So clever and healthy! I have a spiralizer that I’ve used once. Mr “It’s Too Healthy” won’t partake. I/ll save this for lunch…
PS My Kitchen Aid Mixer is the best kitchen appliance I own. We got it for a wedding gift too. Going to gift one to my oldest son for Christmas this year. He loves to cook.
My husband would not even taste it! Their loss 🙂 Yes the Kitchen aid mixer is the best thing and last forever
I keep seeing Cacio e Pepe recipes so I think I need to try it. Love the idea to use zucchini noodles since it won’t weigh you down and could make for a good lunch.
definitely and super easy let me know if you give them a try
Simple weeknight meal!
While moving rock and dirt for 6 hours yesterday we found a bunch of what look like zucchini growing behind our garden fence down to our pond. There are over 20 jumbo ones but I’m not 100% they’re zucchini. If they are we will be eating lots of zoodles! Haha.
ha ha I wonder what else they could be!?
Okay, I made grated zucchini with hash browns yesterday and have a lot of the (plain) zucchini leftover…guess what I’m gonna do with it tonight 😉 They won’t be pretty spiralized “noodles,” but I can overlook that small detail LOL
They will still taste the same! Hope you enjoy
Parmesan cheese makes everything better! Can’t wait to try this recipe 🙂
Oh it sure does!
We love zucchini noodles! They are a great substitute for pasta! I can’t wait to try this.
they are great substitutes hope you all enjoy
These look delicious! I have a spiralizer and this is a good reminder that I need to get it out and use it more.
fantastic! Hope you enjoy it
It’s a dish I really love even in the vegan option since I’ve found an amazing vegan cheese that’s perfect for this recipe 😊
Oh that’s a great idea!
I love this low carb upgrade for one of my favorite comfort food dishes. It’s so good!
Thanks so much! I was happy with how it came out
What a yummy idea for a meal! Love this twist with the zoodles! This really lightens it up so much.
I was really surprised how yummy it was!
YUM! Seems like such a great week night go-to
XX Angelica
https://eraenvogue.com
Thanks so much
I have yet to try zucchini noodles. This recipe looks incredible I need to try it ASAP!
Oh yes you do asap! Please report back 🙂
I love mixing zucchini noodles with regular pasta for added greens. I will have to try in cacio peppe next time.
I hope you enjoy!
This looks so good! I’ve been trying to find a zucchini noodle recipe that I’ll actually go back for seconds on – and this looks like it could be it! Yum
I hope it hits the spot for you!
I haven’t made zucchini noodles in forever. This is such a tasty way to spice them up.
fantastic hope you enjoy!
What a great, healthy twist on a classic pasta recipe! I love that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor! Love this!
Funny, I just ate cacio e pepe (the carb-filled kind haha) last week for the first time in so long! I love zoodles too, but haven’t made them in awhile. I have been cooking up a storm with zucchini though! Such a versatile veggie.
It’s so versatile! I hope you enjoy this version
Hi, my girlfriend has an Italian husband and he prepares a similar recipe only from eggplant, it’s very tasty. I definitely need to try the zucchini noodles.
Ooh I will try with eggplant next time!
I’m definitely with you on the zucchini obsession! I’ve been using them a ton this summer, in everything from noodles like these and stir fry dishes, to quiches and quesadillas. Love this idea for a low-cal cacio e pepe!
they really are easy to use in so many ways