Description
This Crispy Zucchini Spaghetti is a delightful vegetarian main course featuring tender spaghetti tossed with golden, crispy zucchini coated in Parmesan and spices. The dish combines the freshness of zucchini and basil with a satisfying crunch, enhanced by garlic and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Perfect for a quick and flavorful Italian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Salt (for pasta water)
Zucchini Mixture
- 2 medium zucchinis, grated or spiralized
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- Extra Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Prepare Zucchini: Place the grated or spiralized zucchini in a colander and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Afterward, squeeze out the liquid thoroughly using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
- Coat the Zucchini: Transfer the zucchini to a bowl and toss with the flour, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Cook Zucchini: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the coated zucchini in a thin, even layer and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy. Stir and continue cooking until the zucchini is crisp all over.
- Add Garlic and Red Pepper: Stir in the minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Toss Pasta with Zucchini: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the zucchini mixture. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and help ingredients combine.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- For extra crunch, place the zucchini under the broiler for 2–3 minutes before mixing it with the pasta.
- You can substitute the spaghetti with chickpea or gluten-free pasta for dietary adaptations.
- Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
