By Annie Published in 30-Minute Recipes
Cacio e Pepe Zoodles are a quick and easy, low carb spin on an Italian classic! Buttery zucchini noodles are tossed with freshly grated cheese and loads of pepper for the perfect keto-friendly meal!
A few years ago we visited Italy and it was just as magical as you might imagine. While there is nothing low carb or keto-friendly about traditional Italian cuisine, I have found myself making a low carb version of one of my favorite Italian dishes, Cacio e Pepe.
If you aren’t familiar with this dish, Cacio e Pepe translates to cheese and pepper. Traditionally warm al dente pasta is tossed with olive oil, Parmigiana Regiano, Pecorino Romano, and freshly cracked pepper. It is a simple, yet incredibly satisfying dish.
Ingredients for Cheesy Zoodles
As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients you will need for this recipe. To get the complete recipe and instructions just keep scrolling.
- Zucchini Noodles: also called zoodles. This is simply zucchini cut into noodle shape with a spiralizer. You can find pre-preprepared zucchini noodles in the freezer section, I suggest fresh over frozen for the best results in this recipe.
- Butter: I use salted butter for this recipe, but unsalted works too.
- Pecorino Romano and Parmesan Cheese: you can sub parmesan for the pecorino if you wish.
- Salt and Black Pepper: freshly cracked pepper is best in this recipe.
Can I use Parmesan for Cacio e Pepe Zoodles?
In short, the answer is yes. You can use only parmesan instead of a combination of pecorino Romano and parmesan. Both of these cheeses are hard cheeses and have a similar taste. The main difference is that parmesan comes from cow milk and pecorino comes from sheep’s milk.
Though the cheeses have a similar flavor, they have subtle differences and are great when paired together. If you do not have access to pecorino, parmesan will do.
How do you make Cheesy Zoodles?
This is such an easy low carb, vegetarian dish. You can serve this as a main meal and it will serve 2, or 4 as a smaller side dish. Just follow these easy steps:
- Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté 2-3 minutes until al dente (tender, but not mushy)
- Remove the noodles from the skillet. Add the butter to the skillet and melt completely. Add the zoodles back to the skillet and toss with both cheeses, salt and pepper.
How many carbs are in Cheesy Zucchini Noodles?
This recipe serves two as a main dish and comes to just 2 net carbs! You can add grilled chicken or salmon if you’d like to add some protein to the dish or enjoy it as a light vegetarian meal!
Other Zucchini Recipes
Zucchini is a keto staple! It is hugely versatile and naturally low in carbs. It is great as a pasta sub, like we used in this recipe, but is also great for appetizers, breakfast and even dessert recipes! These are some of my favorite low carb zucchini recipes:
Cacio e Pepe Zoodles
Annie
Cacio e Pepe Zoodles are a quick and easy, low carb spin on an Italian classic! Buttery zucchini noodles are tossed with freshly grated cheese and loads of pepper for the perfect keto-friendly meal!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 minutes mins
Total Time 8 minutes mins
Course Dinner
Cuisine Keto
Servings 2 main servings, or 4 side dish servings
Calories 306 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchini spiralized
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup shredded parmesan
- ¼ cup shredded pecorino romano
- salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Heat the 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and saute 2-3 minutes until al dente (tender, but not mushy)
Remove the noodles from the skillet. Add the butter to the skillet and melt completely. Add the zoodles back to the skillet and toss with both cheeses, salt and pepper.
Serve immediately.
Notes
This recipe makes 2 main-dish servings, each with 2 net carbs. If served as 4 side dish servings, there is just 1 net carb each.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.5 of recipeCalories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 2.2gProtein: 14gFat: 25.9gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 402mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.4g
Keyword cheesy zoodles, keto zucchini noodles
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
FAQs
Don't overheat the sauce.
If you've ever had the cheese clump up or stick to the pan when making cacio e pepe (very common, but always such a tragedy!), it was likely due to the cheese being overheated. Be absolutely sure that the burner is turned off below the sauté pan with the melted butter.
Are zoodles healthier than pasta? ›
Zucchini is low in fat, sugar, and calories, and high in vitamin C and fiber, making it a great substitute for traditional pasta noodles. Fiber helps to regulate bowels and maintain good digestive health, and vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to protect cells.
Can I eat egg noodles on keto? ›
While egg noodles can be OK in moderation on special occasions, they should not be a staple in your keto diet. So, what should you do if you're hankering for pasta? If you're hungry and feel like noodles, opt for low-carb pasta such as spaghetti squash, zoodles, or homemade low-carb egg noodles.
What is the secret of cacio e pepe? ›
For a Smoother Sauce, Start with a Cheese Paste
So, to make the best cacio e pepe, you want to start by making a cheese paste. It's an extra step, but trust me, this is worth it, and it doesn't add any extra time to the dish: You can do it while the pasta water is boiling.
Can I use Parmesan instead of pecorino for cacio e pepe? ›
Opt for Parmesan: You can use Parmesan instead of Pecorino Romano, or even combine the two for a unique cheese profile. However, Parmesan isn't as salty or tangy as Pecorino Romano, so you may need to add more to get the sharpness that cacio e pepe is known for.
How do you cook zoodles without getting soggy? ›
Tip 5: Don't over-cook your noodles
To avoid soggy and limp noodles, I recommend cooking for only 3-5 minutes (5 if you're cooking more than 1-2 spiralized zucchinis) and tossing frequently. You want a slightly al dente noodle.
Which has less carbs, zucchini or spaghetti squash? ›
From the above comparison, you can tell that: Zucchini Pasta is lower in carbohydrates (3.361 g), in sodium (9 mg), in sugars (0.581 g), in total fat (0.084 g) and in calories (10 cals). Zucchini Pasta has more protein (1.371 g), more potassium (333 mg) and more dietary fiber (0.013 g).
Are zucchini noodles high in carbs? ›
Zucchini Noodles (1 cup, sliced) contains 3.5g total carbs, 2.4g net carbs, 0.4g fat, 1.4g protein, and 19 calories.
What pairs best with cacio e pepe? ›
Look no further than Chianti Classico for a classic red pairing. While most people associate this wine with flavorful meats like Florentine steak, the sharpness of the cacio e pepe holds its own and makes Chianti an unexpected accompaniment.
What pasta shape is best for cacio e pepe? ›
Spaghetti is the traditional pasta for cacio e pepe, but even Roman establishments now use popular shapes such as rigatoni, bucatini, and thick, square-cut noodles called tonnarelli. Use a good quality brand that cooks evenly and retains its al dente bite.
Cacio e Pepe Variations
Pecorino Romano is a hard, Italian sheep's milk cheese. It has sharp, rich nutty flavor, making it the perfect cheese for this simple pasta dish. If you don't have it or can't find it Parmigiano-Reggiano is a totally acceptable alternative.
Are too many eggs bad for keto? ›
Eggs are an incredibly low-carb food and contain only 1 gram of carbohydrates. A keto diet is typically restricted to 20 to 50 grams of carbohydrates daily. So, including 5 to 6 eggs daily won't significantly impact your daily carb intake.
Is there any keto-friendly pasta? ›
Shirataki pasta is low in carbs and calories. Vegan, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and suitable for most diets.
How do you keep cheese from being stringy? ›
To prevent cheeses such as Swiss and Mozzarella from becoming stringy during cooking, add a little wine or lemon juice before melting them.
How do you fix stringy cheese in pasta? ›
Buy block cheese and grate it or cut it into little pieces yourself. Your preshredded cheese are coated with an anti-caking agent that makes your bechamel cause grainy and stringy. Also, make sure you are using a cheese that's soft. Hard cheeses like parmesean just don't melt well, while high moisture cheddar does.
How do you make cheese sauce not stringy? ›
Adding an acidic ingredient such as wine or lemon juice will help prevent the cheese from becoming stringy. This is why most cheese fondue recipes have a base of white wine. Simply sprinkle some lemon juice over the shredded cheese before heating it.
How do you make mac and cheese less stringy? ›
To keep the cheese from getting too stringy, it helps to coat it lightly with some flour or cornstarch. Adding some water to the sauce helps, as well as some lemon juice. Stirring encourages stringiness so keep the stirring to a minimum.
