Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

Best Beginner Recipes for the Spiralizer

These are the 10 Best Beginner Recipes for the Spiralizer, from zucchini noodle pasta dishes to comforting low-carb soups, sandwiches, and more. 

Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

If you’re a proud new owner of a spiralizer, congrats! You’re in for a delicious array of easy, veggie-packed dishes from here on out.

Spiralizing is my secret weapon to enhance and lightening my home cooking by:

  • Adding more vegetables to every plate
  • Replacing refined carbs with high-fiber foods
  • Making dinner prep quick and easy

But I know that the world of spiralizing vegetables can be a bit overwhelming at first. When I was a beginner, I had no idea where to start.

I remember asking myself

What should I make with a spiralizer? How long do I cook zoodles for? What other veggies and meats pair well with zucchini? What else can I spiralize? Will Lu like it?

Now that I’ve become a seasoned pro at spiralizing over the years, I’m excited to help new spiralizer users go from novice to old hat as quickly as possible. That’s why I’ve rounded up the 10 best spiralizer recipes for beginners.

What Makes these Recipes Great for Beginners?

These are my best spiralizer recipes for first-timers because they’re easy to pull together but full of flavor. Whether you just got a new spiralizer or you’re trying to convince a friend to get one, these dishes are the perfect place to start. Or even if you’re already fully Inspiralized, you can add these recipes to your “quick and easy” list.

Don’t worry, these top 10 recipes aren’t just no-cook, basic dishes (though there are a few raw recipes too). All of the spiralizer recipes below are big on flavor, texture, and visual appeal with minimal prep work.

 

overhead of a white plate with green zucchini noodles

What’s the Easiest Vegetable to Spiralize?

All of these beginner recipes use zucchini noodles. That’s because it’s the easiest vegetable to turn into noodles with your Inspiralizer.

Before you get started, be sure to read my how-to guide to mastering perfect zucchini noodles that aren’t soggy and the Three Best Ways to Cook Zucchini Noodles.

After you’ve mastered cooking zoodles, you’ll understand the nature of spiralized vegetables and be able to take on anything from carrots to celeriac.

Top 10 Easy and Delicious Beginner Recipes for Spiralized Vegetables

If you haven’t already, check out this video on how to spiralize a zucchini:

Raw Zucchini Noodle Recipes

First things first, start your experiments with zoodles using a simple no-cook recipe. This is just a great way to incorporate spiralized veggies into your favorite salads without committing to a fully-cooked meal of zoodles.

1. Crunchy Zucchini Noodle Wrap with Avocado and Feta

This sandwich is an ideal lunch with zoodles. The zucchini noodles provide the right amount of crunch to counteract creamy avocado and tangy feta.

2. Avocado-Basil Zucchini Noodles with Chili-Lime Shrimp and Corn

The zucchini noodles in this recipe are actually raw, but the avocado-basil sauce adds a bold flavor and softens the noodles slightly.

Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

Simple Cooked Zucchini Noodle Dishes

Next, try making an easy cooked zoodle recipe with ingredients you already know and love.

3. Zucchini Noodles with Chicken, Feta and Spinach

This easy recipe packs a lot of healthy flavors. The salty feta with the hearty chicken make this a great dish to ease into cooked spiralized veggies. It tastes delicious and the cooking method is a simple sauté (one of the best ways to cook zoodles).

4. Bacon Shrimp Zucchini Noodle Scampi

Cooking zucchini noodles with a sauce can be tricky. This recipe is a great way to start off, as it offers tons of smoky, seafood flavor and takes mere minutes.

Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

Start with a Light Sauce

Hot sauces can cause zucchini noodles to become watery and limp. So start off with something lighter.

5. Puttanesca with Zucchini Noodles

This light sauce doesn’t drown the noodles. When you make this, take note of how much moisture that the zucchini releases. To avoid excess moisture, check out these tips.

6. Shrimp Zucchini Noodle Pad Thai

This light Thai sauce helps keep your sautéed zoodles crisp and infuses them with flavor.

Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

Try Zucchini Ribbons

7. Broccoli Rabe with Sausage and Zucchini Noodles

Spaghetti is everyone’s go-to noodle with the spiralizer, but you can use a thicker ribbon-shaped noodle as well. This dish is a great way to experiment with different noodle shapes.

Add Cheese to an Easy Zucchini Noodle Recipe

8. Bacon Cacio e Pepe

Cheese can be a bit tricky to cook with since it can get watery with the zucchini noodles. In this cheesy and savory pasta recipe, it’s important to fold in the cheese, remove the noodles from heat and then transfer the noodles with pasta tongs into your plate, to let any excess moisture drip out.

Try A Zucchini Noodle Soup Perfect for Beginners

9. Ginger Scallion Egg Drop Soup with Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles can easily be added to soups and they stay nice and crisp! You won’t believe how flavorful this simple soup is.

Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

Go Big with a Thick, Rich Sauce

9. Bikini Bolognese

Finally, now that you’ve mastered the art of the zucchini noodle, throw it in with a heavy meat sauce. Remember everything you learned along the way.

Inspiralized Easy Recipes for the Spiralizer

What to Make After you’ve Mastered Zucchini Noodles

Your next spiralizer recipe? Try something with sweet potatoes! This is one of my favorite vegetables to spiralize, and I have a primer on the Best Ways to Cook Spiralized Sweet Potatoes to get you started.

Then, try these popular sweet potato noodle recipes:

Now that you have these 10 Best Beginner Recipes for the Spiralizer in your repertoire, you’re ready to take on any kitchen challenge. To learn more about how to make the most of your Inspiralizer, use these helpful how-to articles:

 

 

with love, Ali

leave a comment

comments

  • I am hooked on spiralizing!!! Have done the zucchini, sweet potato, carrot, onion. I made sure my BFF is hooked also. I am a pasta junkie and love the fact that I can make it healthier! I love to cook and it is sad that all 4 of my kids are out of the house because I would love to make all this for them! I have to learn how to cook for 2 now. I visit your website everyday and love it. Thanks for sharing.
    • I'm so glad you're hooked! It's definitely a new way to incorporate veggies into your house - and it's fun, too! Thanks so much for your comment.
    • I haven't tried spiralizing onion yet. Is that difficult? It sounds interesting!
      • Hi, my husband spiralized onion last night! He said it is super easy and they taste lovely
    • Where did you get your spiral thing, and are there preferences?
      • I hot Mike on Amazon, haven't used it yet. I hot the three blade Pandero one fir 29.99. it came quick. Found tho blog with these great recipes to try. I am excited.
    • Just had spiralized potatoes cook them like French fries, they were delicious
  • Great round up :) I am also hooked on spiralizing. I'm trying my hardest to get my boyfriend to like it too. He grew up almost never eating vegetables so it's a huge adjustment for him haha. I love that your recipes are for two, it makes it SO easy!
  • Thank you so much for all the passion, time, and love you pour into Inspiralized!! I came across your Instagram account a few months ago and have been obsessed ever since! Seriously... I think I've talked about spiralizing to every one of my friends & family members :) I'll be purchasing my first spiralizer soon, as a college graduation gift to myself, and I can't wait to try out your recipes!! Especially those with nutrition facts (really appreciate you adding that information!) I'll be making them for my mom & myself during my short little summer break before grad school. We're so excited! Thank you again for everything!! :)
    • Thank you, I appreciate the kind words! I am so happy you're having fun with spiralizing.
  • I have (ahem) never done spiralizing yet!! I know I know too late in the game but I am loving all the recipes!!
  • Ali this is so incredibly perfect timing. I just bought an inspiralizer a few weeks ago and didn't even know where to start!
  • This is such great timing! My spiralizer literally arrived last night and I was just thinking about what recipes to try first. I'm really excited! If a little nervous - I'm most afraid of slicing my fingers off than anything else :D.
      • I spiral used a firm peach and half an apple. Sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon. Tasty for afternoon snack!
  • I might be reading too fast, but does everyone know that puting your raw noodles in a sieve or other drainage vessel for 1/2 hr or hour mixed up with a bit of salt will draw out excess water, so you can make your sauce then add the noodles at the last miute, long enough to warm? Keep pastas and cheeses nice and stout texture-wise. Gives the noodles a more slippery feel and they don't need to cook as much. Yay for spirals! :)
    • You do add the noodles at the last minute, just to warm! Half the point of zucchini noodles is that they're easy and quick, so I don't suggest salting the noodles - plus, I find that doing this causes the noodles to wilt and become lifeless and soggy. And salty! But if it works for you, that's great!
    • Thanks for the tip
  • Your enthusiasm has totally converted me to spiralizing! I love it!!!! I like my zucchini noodles raw, but mostly because I'm lazy and still cook regular pasta for the rest of my family.
  • I am so happy I discovered this site. I will be purchasing me one of those vegetable inspiralizers. I'm ready to eat healthier and try out new dishes. I do need to lose a few pounds, so I'm excited about getting started. Do you have any advice starting out?
    • Welcome, Gail! Yes, go to INspiralized.com/howto and read up! This is also helpful: http://www.inspiralized.com/2014/05/15/the-best-beginner-recipes-for-the-spiralizer/
  • Hi, I'm hooked on spiralizing. I tried a recipe which was yours using chicken sausage, kale, basil, vegetable broth, tomatoes and zuchinni noodles. I can't find that recipe could you direct me to where I can find it in the recipes link? Thanks!
    • Under the Recipe link; go 'by vegetable' and then zucchini. CREAMY CAJUN ZUCCHINI PASTA WITH KALE AND ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE
  • Great way to start beginners off on the Spiralizer experience, it's an addiction, but a good addiction:)
  • I just bought my first Spiralizer and have been reading through to see where to start. My kids are good eaters and not overly picky, but they don't like zucchini. Any suggestions where to start other than zucchini?
    • Potatoes
  • Since buying my Spiralizer, most of my veg has been noodled. I love it and I am buying one for my brother for his wedding gift :)
  • I'm going back to uni next week so have invested in a spiraliser to try make some healthy cheap meals - your recipes are brilliant! Thank you :)
  • I just discovered this website today! My friend made the sauteed zucchini dish and I loved it. So I asked her how she made it and she sent me to you (well, your website). So glad she did! I already shared it with my diabetic nutritionist. You may have just literally saved my life. Can't wait to get my own now and one for my mom, and one for my sister, and....
  • Have just started a diet and wanted to be as healthy as possible, bought a spiralizer and needed some inspiration, am about to make lunch but will be visiting again soon wish me luck!!!!!!
  • I am looking to purchase a spiralizer for my sister for Christmas (and one for myself as i am so interested in these yummy looking recipes!!) Is there a specific one that you would recommend to buy that isn't very expensive or take up a lot of space to try out for beginners? ?
  • I found your site & love all the pictures of this new idea of making healthy food.I just got my new Paderno vegi spiralizer & am going to order your book. I do have 1 question does it have pictures of the beautiful recipes so I will see how it will turn out ?. We eat with our eyes..lol Thank you for your site I'm looking forward to some great recipes to start cooking.
  • Hi there: Thanks for sharing these recipes, I just bought myself a spiralizer yesterday and am so excited to try these... hope they turn out as good as yours did, keep posting new recipes... and btw you look great...
  • encourages me to develop healthier foods. Between doing nutrisystem for a year 2013-2014 then trying HEALTHY thereafter, has changed my outlook on food.
  • For Mother's Day I received a the spiralizer and your cookbook. I made my first recipe 'Jicama-stuffed Peppers with Asiago' to much success. Thank you! My problem is carrots. I love carrots, but my local grocery stores do not carry wide enough carrots. Have you noticed too, that over the last several years carrots have gotten slimmer? It's very disappointing, because your cookbook has several carrot recipes that sound terrific.
  • Your page is such a great resource! Wow. Thanks so much for all the awesome recipes! I really dislike veggies (I have to force them down) so I thought maybe a spiralizer may help at least make them a little more fun. I do like potatoes and have found lots of things I can do with them but I was wondering... when drowned in a nice flavorful sauce, which veggies taste the most neutral? I checked out your list and I know some of them will obviously taste strongly of veggies (broccoli, beet, cabbage) but I've never tried turnips, kohlrabi, taro root, rutabaga, and some of the other less common ones. Do any of those taste neutral when spiralized and covered up in sauce? Sorry for the silly question. I'm actually doing AIP right now and it's hard when veggies make you gag! Thanks so much. :)
  • I just bought a spiralizer, and I'm trying to drop some weight before New Years, but I had no idea what to make with it, so I found this site and I'm excited to try the recipes because, I can make noodles with veggies (for me) and still make regular pasta for my husband and just use the sauces and meats on each, I think it's a win win.
  • Hi there, I just stumbled across your website looking for recipes for my spiralizer. Your recipes look amazing! Just one question though on these zucchini recipes.....are most of these done with the raw zucchini or is the zucchini ever cooked like when you add it at the end of certain recipes? Thanks much!
  • I just got a spiralizer for Christmas and can't wait to try out some of these recipes! Thanks for sharing!
    • You're so welcome, Doug. Come back anytime if you ever have any questions or suggestions. We're so happy to have you around.
  • Loving my new gadget.I am surprised you say little abount cooking it. I steamrd my first noodles very suvccessfuly with spag sauce anf cheese. But whar about frying in a good olive oil. Any further ideas.
  • with my Spiralizer, I received a letter telling me to go to www.spiralizer.us/free recipes, and I woould receive a free julienner peeler. But I keep getting the message saying this address does not exist. Can you help me? I would like a julienner peeler.
  • My husband and I love cooking together I purchased the Spiralizer to use, well it is his Spiralizer.................... We love it, wish there was a streight long cutter. Looking forward to receiving my Julienner Peeler free.
  • Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think of if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this blog could undeniably be one of the greatest in its field. Amazing blog!
  • Hi Alissandra , My wife love ribbon noodles a lot. I bought one brand new spiralizer last week. I am definitely going to try out the ribbon noodles as you've mentioned :) Thanks Alex
  • Yeah so I bought this thing... My husband is Italian and I swear he wants pasta every meal. So lets just see what I can sneak in on him... Wish me luck
    • You have to let us know how to goes!!!! You'll do great!
  • This is very helpful, I just learned to cook. Maybe this will be made as reference material. Thanks for sharing, I wait for the next update.
    • Hi Cara! Happy to hear that and keep cooking!
  • I ordered a Spiralizer.Can you use this on beets? Wanna make a beet salad.Thanks
  • Well thats great, I cannot wait to try this one
  • thanks for good food, I am hooked on spiralizing!!! Have done the zucchini, sweet potato, carrot, onion
  • Well thats great, I cannot wait to try this one