This gorgeous Caprese Fresh Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad is keto, gluten free, low carb and simple with just 4 ingredients and a delicious dressing! Just 3 g net carbs per serving!

Low Carb Caprese Zucchini Noodle Salad

Name: Caprese Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 zucchini (or 8 cups zucchini noodles); 4 ounces cherry tomatoes (sliced in half); 8 ounces mozzarella (pearls); 1 ounce fresh basil (chopped); 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 3 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 1/4 tsp garlic powder

In the heat of the summer months, all I can think about is making keto recipes that do not require turning on my oven.

Simple sides like this recipe is what it's all about for me and sometimes the simple ingredients make for the perfect dish.

Traditional pasta salad uses regular pasta noodles made from white refined flour or other high carbohydrate flours which won't work well when you are trying to lose weight on a low carb diet or keto diet.

I will never tell you that zucchini noodles tastes like real pasta, but my keto pasta recipe with spiralized zucchini has just 4 total grams of carbs per serving and won't kick you out of ketosis. If you've never tried zoodles, you should give this recipe a go!

To make this a complete meal, feel free to add any cooked protein of choice.

Caprese Salad with a Twist

A classic caprese salad gets a little make over adding in zucchini noodles to give it a little something extra in that bite. Smooth mozzarella, perfectly ripe and sweet cherry tomatoes and fresh basil make this a flavorful dish everyone will love.

Plus it's that time of year that most gardens will have an excess of zucchini and tomatoes, am I right?

Zucchini noodle recipes became really popular for keto dieters to make a low carb meal to replace pasta in a typical pasta dish.

Honestly the best way I have found to enjoy zoodles is sauteed over medium heat with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, parmesan cheese, sea salt and black pepper. Simple and delish!

FAQs

Why are the zucchini noodles raw?

Cooking zucchini noodles is totally up to you if you don't want to eat this salad with raw zucchini. I find they have a nice bite when raw, like a cucumber does but again if you want to blanch the zucchini noodles until they are al dente you can certainly do that.

What can I use to spiralize the zucchini?

A julienne peeler is a great tool if you don't have much space in the kitchen and will make strips of zucchini. A veggie spiralizer makes long, curly noodles using a large zucchini.

Can I make this Caprese salad ahead?

Yes you can make this caprese zucchini pasta salad up to one day ahead of time. Just keep stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Making ahead salads like this for a cookout or a simple side for a weeknight meal is how I like to roll in the summer. Stress free and easy is the theme I'm working on for a summer to enjoy with my kids and not slaving in the kitchen every day.

Easy Homemade Italian Dressing

Dressing doesn't have to be complicated to have an impact of robust flavor. A hint of lemon is what gives it that freshness and zesty bite.

Keto Pasta Sauce Recommendations

Keto Alfredo Sauce -Primal Kitchen sells a great low carb option and has grams of net carbs, but if you feel like making it at home, here's my recipe for Alfredo pizza!

Keto Tomato Sauce- Here is my homemade sauce but this brand has a good one as well.

Keto Marinara Sauce- my homemade marinara is quick and easy, but if you prefer to buy, I like the Rao's brand because it is low in carbs.

How to Make Keto Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad

For the exact measurements and printing ability with nutritional information please scroll down to the bottom of this post for the recipe card.

Simple Ingredients

Fresh zucchini noodles

Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Mozzarella cheese pearls

Fresh basil, chopped

Dressing

Extra virgin olive oil

Red wine vinegar

Fresh lemon juice

Sea salt

Black pepper

Garlic powder

Directions

Add all ingredients into a bowl.

Whisk dressing ingredients in another bowl and toss together.

Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Best Tips for Zucchini Pasta Salad

The zucchini noodles do tend to get kind of long so it's best once in the bowl, cut them in half so it's easier to serve.

I kept the skin on my zucchini and it is not cooked, this is eaten raw. Feel free to blanch or sauté the noodles if you prefer a softer texture.

I have a Paderno spiralizer.

Make ahead and refrigerate up to a day ahead.

Easy Dinner Recipes

Enjoy this refreshing side dish salad with any meal, like my Crock Pot BBQ Ribs or Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken Thighs!

How to Store Delicious Zucchini Noodles

Whenever you spiralize zucchini, you can keep it in an airtight container for up to 7 days raw. When you are ready to use it in a recipe, saute or blanch or serve raw like in this pasta salad.

Low Carb Keto Zucchini Noodle Salad

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3.31 from 43 votes

Caprese Zucchini Noodle Pasta Salad

Prep Time15

Total Time15

Servings: cups

Calories: 166kcal

Author: Brenda Bennett | Sugar-Free Mom

Ingredients

4 zucchini or 8 cups zucchini noodles
4 ounces cherry tomatoes sliced in half
8 ounces mozzarella pearls
1 ounce fresh basil chopped

Dressing

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Add all ingredients into a bowl.
Whisk dressing ingredients in another bowl and toss together.
Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Net Carbs: 3g

The zucchini noodles do tend to get kind of long so it's best once in the bowl, cut them in half so it's easier to serve.
I kept the skin on my zucchini and it is not cooked, this is eaten raw. Feel free to blanch or sauté the noodles if you prefer a softer texture.
I have a Paderno spiralizer.
Make ahead and refrigerate up to a day ahead.
This recipe was first published in June 2016 and updated with video in August 2018.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @sugarfreemom and tag #sugarfreemom, I'd love to see your dish!

About Brenda

Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.

Comments

3.31 from 43 votes (43 ratings without comment)

Low Carb Keto Zucchini Noodles Caprese Salad