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Home » Dairy Free » Kale Pesto Zoodles

Kale Pesto Zoodles

By Erin · June 8, 2015 · Updated May 13, 2020 · 24 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

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Gluten Free Dairy Free Whole30 Paleo

Enjoy a bowl of zoodles–zucchini noodles–smothered in a creamy, flavorful kale pesto. Topped with mushrooms and shrimp, these Kale Pesto Zoodles are a healthy weeknight dinner! 

pasta with pesto and shrimp

Who wants to eat carbs when you can eat vegetables?! I’m kidding! I love carbs, but sometimes you just need more veggies in your life, and that’s where zoodles–zucchini noodles–really come in handy.

These zoodles are a fun way to replicate spaghetti noodles, and in this recipe they’re covered in pesto and topped with sautéed shrimp and mushrooms. They’re gluten free, dairy free, paleo, AND whole30 and SO, so tasty. Also, the whole recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, which you know I’m all about during the week.

KALE PESTO INGREDIENTS

  • Kale
  • Basil
  • Garlic
  • Pine nuts
  • Olive oil

Typical pesto includes parmesan cheese, but in order to keep this dairy free, I opted to omit it. To be honest, out of all the pesto ingredients, parmesan cheese is the one you can skip out on.

If you can’t find pine nuts or don’t want to shell out the money for them (they’re a tad on the pricey side), you can use walnuts or almonds instead.

HOW TO MAKE PESTO ZOODLES

how to make zucchini noodles and pesto

Before you can make zoodles, you need a spiralizer! I’ve had my spiralizer for years and I LOVE it. It’s incredibly reliable, and it comes with three different colored blade options so you can easily tell them apart.

For this recipe, you’ll use Blade C, meaning the blade with the smallest triangles so that you’re able to create thin, spaghetti-like noodles.

I like to slice both ends of the zucchini off first, then secure the zucchini to your spiralizer and simply turn the handle to run the zucchini through the spiralizer, which will turn the whole zucchini into zucchini noodles. It’s that easy!

After you have your zoodles, you’ll want to sauté them in a skillet for 1-2 minutes. The key is to get them to be warm and slightly softened but not soggy.

As far as the pesto goes, you can add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse until the mixture is smooth. Note that you may need to add a little more water, and if you do, be sure to add just one tablespoon at a time so the pesto doesn’t become too runny.

ADD-INS

Want to add more stuff to these pesto zoodles? Go for it! Other ingredients that’d be delicious are: bacon, pancetta, grape tomatoes, parmesan cheese (if not doing Whole30), and/or asparagus.

a bowl of pesto pasta topped with shrimp

MORE GLUTEN FREE RECIPES

  • Mediterranean Stuffed Zucchini Boats
  • Zucchini Noodle Breakfast Bowl
  • Arugula Pesto Zucchini Noodles

If you make these pesto zoodles, I’d love it if you could leave a review below. Thanks!! 

pasta with pesto and shrimp

Kale Pesto Zoodles

Enjoy a bowl of zoodles--zucchini noodles--smothered in a creamy, flavorful kale pesto. Topped with mushrooms and shrimp, these Kale Pesto Zoodles are a healthy weeknight dinner! 
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Erin

Ingredients

  • 2 zucchini
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms
  • 1/2 lb. shrimp tails removed
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp oregano

for the pesto:

  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1/2 cup kale stems removed

Instructions

  • Spiralize the zucchini then set it aside.
  • In a large skillet, add olive oil, mushrooms, shrimp, garlic, and oregano and cook until mushrooms are soft and shrimp is cooked, about 5 minutes.
  • While the shrimp is cooking, make the pesto: combine all pesto ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until everything is combined. If you have trouble getting the pesto to mix, add 1-2 tbsp more water.
  • Remove the shrimp mushroom mix with a slotted spoon, then add the zoodles to the skillet and use kitchen tongs to stir so that the zoodles are warm, about 1-2 minutes. Add the shrimp and mushrooms back into the skillet and mix everything together. Transfer the warm pasta to a bowl then add the pasta and toss to combine.
  • Enjoy!
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!
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Filed Under: Dairy Free, Dinner, Gluten Free, Mediterranean Diet, Paleo, Whole30

Erin

About Erin

Erin is the recipe developer, writer and photographer behind the healthy food blog, The Almond Eater. She's been blogging since 2014 and loves to create food for many different diets, including vegan, gluten free and/or Whole30 recipes.

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Hi, I’m Erin!

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