Enjoy a plate full of zucchini noodles—zoodles—smothered in a creamy, flavorful kale pesto sauce. Topped with mushrooms and shrimp, these Kale Pesto Zoodles are a dinner you won’t want to miss!
I promised a spiralized recipe over a month ago, and it’s finally here! What took so long, you ask?! Truth be told, I hated the photos I took of my original spiralized recipe, which in turn kind of made me hate the recipe itself. I know—makes no sense—but rather than a redo, I just created an entirely new recipe with new photos. Woo!
Before I chat about spiralizers, I want to chat about the weekend. Saturday started with recipe creation and ended with a veggie quesadilla from Mad Mex with some coworkers from PJC. Sunday morning started bright and early thanks to Layla. She’s typically not a morning pup but she was ready to go so off to the park we went! There are a few different dog parks throughout the city, and I try to vary which ones we go to. This time around, I took her to Frick Park where we ran into her friend—a husky named ‘Honey’—who she used to play with back when she was younger. They remembered each other and picked up right where they left off. I wish I would have taken before and after photos.. Just picture a baby husky with baby Layla (ya know..back when she was super adorable) and now 9 month old husky and Layla. Still cute but not quite as stuffed animal-y.
That might have been the highlight of my weekend which really says something about me. Nothing good, either.
Following the park I made a quick stop into Marshals and Ross where I wanted to purchase ev-e-ry-thing. Instead, I walked out with a few new pair of leggings/workout tops. Not quite everything, but I was excited nonetheless.
I’ve said it before, but there are some things I’m willing to drop $$$ on and other things I’m just not. For example, I bought a gorgeous dress last year while in Puerto Rico for around $80 (I know $80 isn’t A LOT but… it is) and I’ve never worn it. I knew when I bought it that I would hardly ever wear it but I bought it because it was perfect. It IS perfect and once day I will debut it and it will be perfect. Until then, it sits in my closet and awaits its glory moment. On the other hand, I’m not willing to spend more than $30 on a pair of workout leggings that I’ll probably wear at least once a week. I don’t understand my logic.
Ok so I’m getting way off topic.. Let’s talk about spirazliers reeeeeal quick. First of all, I’m not a spiralizing expert and I’d never pretend to be. I own this spiralizer and, though it’s the only one I’ve ever owned, I think it’s pretty darn good. I’ve heard some “eh” comments on the hand held ones, so if you’re looking to purchase I’d highly recommend mine.
Anywho, spiralizing is all the rage these days because it’s FUN and it’s HEALTHY. Why eat carbs when you can eat vegetables instead?
I’m kidding.
Or am I?
I’m a personal fan of zoodles and hoping to experiment with other vegetables soon. These zoodles (zucchini+noodles) pair perfectly with my kale pesto, which I’ve used in this recipe and this recipe—both delicious as well! Top with shrimp for added protein or omit all together for a vegan option—either way this is a great way to fit in some extra veggies at dinnertime!
PrintKale Pesto Zoodles
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
Ingredients
- 2 zucchini
- 1/2 cup mushrooms
- 1/2 lb shrimp
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- For pesto:
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp pine nuts
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/2 cup kale, stems removed
Instructions
- For zoodles: Put zucchini through spiralizer to create zucchini noodles, set aside.
- For pesto: combine ingredients into a food processor or blender and pulse until mixed; stir pesto into zoodles.
- For the mushrooms and shrimp: cook together in a large skillet with olive oil and thyme; cook until shrimp is done, then place shrimp and mushrooms overtop zoodles.
- Enjoy!
Q: Do you own a spiralizer? What’s your favorite vegetable to spiralize, or what should be the next veggie I spiralize?
If you like this, you’ll love..
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Kale Pesto
I love my spiralizer! I thought it would be a waste of money but it is fab! I have also spirals carrots, parsnips and sweet potato – all tasty.
Kezia @ Super Naturally Healthy recently posted…5 Steps To Healing Your Gut
Oh hello perfect meal! I am totally going to try this without the pine nuts. What a friggin’ amazing way to get the kale into the diet!
GiGi Eats recently posted…You Won’t Be Waffling Over This!
★★★★★
good on you for making your own pesto sauce! i get so lazy and just buy my own from the store haha… so much quicker! but this looks amazing, add shrimp to any ‘pasta’ recipe and its a winner!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit recently posted…Superfood Breakfast Cookie
Adding this to the list of dinners I want to make! Seems so light and refreshing, perfect for hot, summer nights!
Monique @ Burpees to Bubbly recently posted…Italy Recap Part 1: Rome
Yay let me know if you try it!
Not even kidding you, I want to make this right now but don’t have a spiralizer so will um…gah those shrimp!!!!!!
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…No Bake Peanut Butter and Strawberry Bars
GET ONE. Add it to your ‘kitchen gadgets I never thought I wanted but I actually NEED’ list!
Love me some zoodles! I’ve totally been there when a bad photo ruined a good recipe. But it feels so good to nail the next one and you totally did because these pictures are gorgeous.
Also if the highlight of your weekend included dogs then I know we’d get along 😀
Georgie recently posted…7 Photography Resources that Changed My Blog
Thanks Georgie! We would just sit around and look at dog pics… (not mad).
These pictures turned out beautiful so I’d say it was definitely worth the redo. I seriously need that pesto in my life!!
And I wish you would have taken pictures of Layla and a Honey too. Just picturing that sounds like the cutest thing! Mainly because Layla is the cutest. 😉
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted…Blueberry Mojito Kombucha
Thanks Sarah! I know, I know I really wish I would have because they’re too stinkin’ cute!
I sure hope you are not kidding – I love zoodles because noodles make me think of worms going down my throat – TMI, I know! Back to this plate of zumminess! What’s not to love!!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan recently posted…Peri-Peri Tofu
HAHA oh gosh… they are kinda like that aren’t they?!!
I’ve got to buy a spiralizer…
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks recently posted…Salmon Bowls with Miso Dressing
Yeah you do!! 😉 Just another kitchen appliance to add to the list (but it’s a really cool one).
I love pesto and I haven’t dug my spiralizer out for a while, so thank you for the inspiration!! I’ll be trying this very soon!
Yay let me know if you do!
We eat zoodles a ton in my house! Ever since my husband bought me a Veggetti we’ve being eating them at least once a week. I haven’t tried them with pesto yet, but I love this idea!
Also, I am with you on not spending a lot on workout clothes. Old yoga pants and a tshirt works great for me.
Kate recently posted…Celebrating with the Ninja Turtles
Ohhh yeah! Glad you agree. And yay for zoodles!
This looks heavenly! I am not one for zucchini, but this is a recipe that I really want to try 🙂 You can’t go wrong with pesto!
Alison @ Sweetly Petite recently posted…Coping with Misophonia
Plus the pesto basically covers up the zucchini taste 😉
Yum, this looks awesome! I definitely want a spiralizer now. I made zoodles with a mandoline one time, but they didn’t come out
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…A beautiful three day weekend in Williamsburg
For some reason my comment sent before I finished typing….ANYWAY, the mandoline didn’t work the same way and I they weren’t as cute. Did you heat up the zoodles or eat them cold?
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food recently posted…A beautiful three day weekend in Williamsburg
Nooo! Mandoline’s are good for chips but not for zoodles 🙂 I heated them up! ….though you could definitely get away with eating them cold.