12 Vegetable Noodle Recipes for a Lighter Meal

Substitute pasta for these nutritious dishes.

Zucchini noodles are my love language.

A photo posted by Julia Mueller (@theroastedroot) on

Whether you’re on a low-carb diet or just trying to eat more vegetables, the use of a spiralizer, julienne peeler, or mandoline slicer can transform carrots, zucchini, and more veggies into healthy noodles. Below, 12 vegetable noodle recipes to get you started.

1. Healthy Stir-Fried Singapore Noodles
via Supergolden Bakes

Made with spiralized carrots, this stir fry uses chicken, shrimp, and a variety of other vegetables for a complete meal. To make the dish vegetarian, use firm tofu.

2. Spiralized Beet Noodles with Mint Pistachio Pesto
via Kale Me Maybe

Peel the beets before spiralizing and cook in the oven. The pesto is vegan, gluten-free, and made in the blender.

3. Easy Summer Zucchini Pasta with Oregano
via Poppies and Papaya

Fiber-filled summer squash is sautéed with fennel seeds, chili pepper, and garlic. The pasta is topped with feta, but any cheese of choice will work.

4. Creamy Avocado Zucchini Pasta
via Healthnut Nutrition

Instead of a heavy cream sauce, avocados, olive oil, and lemon juice are used to create a healthy pasta sauce. The dish can be eaten hot or cold.

5. Carrot-Top Pesto with Raw Carrot Pasta
via The Hungry Hutch

By making a pesto out of the carrot stems and leaves, no produce is wasted in this recipe. The carrot noodles aren’t cooked, rather they are chilled and served raw.

6. Cucumber Noodle Sushi Bowl
via Petite Canteen

Cucumber and carrot serve as the noodle base, topped with raw tuna, avocado, and a sesame-ginger dressing. Be sure to purchase sushi-grade tuna.

7. Sweet Potato Coconut Curry
via Food, Faith, Fitness

The sweet potato noodles are topped with a yellow curry that uses coconut milk as its base. The amount of red Thai chili that’s used in the mango salsa garnish should be adjusted based on the desired level of spiciness.

8. Raw Vegan Marinara Sauce with Yellow Squash Fettuccine
via Divine Healthy Food

Avoid the sugar-laden, store bought pasta sauce with this fresh recipe made out of tomatoes, walnuts, dried herbs, and dates. The sauce is made in a blender instead of on the stove.

9. Eggplant Noodles with Chickpeas, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Raisins
via Inspiralized

The cook time for the eggplant is quick: five minutes or until it darkens in color. Chickpeas give the noodles a boost of plant-based protein and makes this a suitable recipe for vegans and vegetarians.

10. Healthy No Noodle Pad Thai
via Cookie and Kate

This Thai dish uses radishes, zucchini, and carrots to replace rice noodles. A peanut sauce adds a dash of beneficial fat.

11. Chicken and Chickpea Broccoli Noodle Pasta
via Inspiralized

Cut off the head of the broccoli and use the stem to spiralize the noodles. Peas and leeks add flavor and extra nutrients.

12. Rosemary and Garlic Turnip Noodles
via My Life Cookbook

These simple noodles are roasted in the oven for 10 minutes, but if you prefer the noodles extra soft, keep them in for 15 minutes. Use these noodles in soups or with your pasta sauce of choice.