These 15-minute Cashew Zucchini Noodles are so flavorful! Cooking in a sauce that's a complex mix of salty, nutty, and umami, with just a touch of heat, it's utterly addictive.
This recipe for Quick Cashew Zucchini Noodles is going to wow you, I promise. Made with spiralized zucchini as a healthy alternative to pasta, these delicate "zoodles" are cooked in a cashew peanut sauce that's rich and creamy. The addition of Asian flavors from the hoisin and soy sauce, as well as the sesame oil, just takes this dish to another level. With a little heat, it's dynamite!
I love these Cashew Zucchini Noodles because they are quick and easy. You can serve them up in 15 minutes, which is a big deal on busy nights when you haven't got much time. You can tweak the heat in this recipe for younger palates and also peel the zucchini so the kids don't know their noodles are actually a healthy vegetable. 🙂 This dish is so flavorful, yummy, and convenient, it's sure to become a favorite. Here's what you'll be using.
Video Tutorial
Main Ingredients
- Zucchini Noodles. Read how to make or where to buy spiralized zucchini below.
- Cashews. These nuts absorb some of the delicious sauce while cooking, and also add a nice texture to the dish.
- Peanut Butter. The base ingredient for this sauce.
- Hoisin Sauce. Hoisin sauce is a condiment based on fermented soybean paste with other flavors and spices. It can be found in most large supermarkets and Asian stores. Of course, you can buy it online as well. If you don't have Hoisin sauce, you can use a teaspoon of miso paste instead.
- Soy Sauce. Some salty, umami flavor.
- Sesame Oil. It adds a nice touch of Asian flavors.
- Sriracha. Adds a bit of heat. You can use less or more, depending on how spicy you want this dish to be. You can also use red pepper flakes instead.
- Lime Juice. For a bright burst of citrus.
- Minced Garlic and Ginger. These two pack a lot of pungent flavor and aromatic qualities.
- Fresh Cilantro. Adds wonderfully fresh, earthy flavor.
How to Make these Quick Cashew Zucchini Noodles
1. Spiralize the zucchini on the medium setting. Set aside.
2. Into a large skillet, add the peanut butter, hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic and put the heat on low. Stirring constantly, cook it for about 2 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.
3. At this point, add the cashews, sesame oil, and zucchini noodles. Using tongs, gently toss the noodles every 20 seconds or so for about 5 minutes until everything is lightly cooked and heated through. The zucchini will release some liquid, which will help to thin the sauce.
4. Lastly, when the dish is ready, add the cilantro in and toss. Serve immediately.
About Spiralized Zucchini
You'll need some spiralized zucchini noodles (aka Zoodles) for this recipe. You can:
- Make them yourself. Making zucchini noodles is super easy, but you do need to have a spiralizer on hand. I own this Ultimate 7-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer and you can buy it for just under $30 from Amazon. Once you get your hands on a good spiralizer, you are ready to make zoodles at home. There are so many other vegetables you can spiralizer; you’ll have a lot of fun with your new kitchen friend. Read more here: 7 Best Vegetables to Spiralize.
- Buy them. If you just want to dip your foot into the spiralizing waters, and are not ready to invest in a spiralizer, you can purchase zoodles from any large grocery or health food store. They are usually sold in the produce section, where pre-chopped vegetables and salad mixes are located. Make sure you buy fresh and not frozen zoodles.
How to Store & Reheat Cashew Zucchini Noodles
Cashew Zucchini Noodles will stay fresh in the fridge for 2-3 days. Place them in an airtight container or ziplock bag. They will release some moisture as they are stored, which you can drain off, if you prefer, before reheating. Warm up this dish in the microwave or place it in a pan on the stovetop until warmed through.
What to Serve these with
- As is. This protein-packed sauce ensures that these zoodles are filling and hearty.
- With grains. Try this recipe with a side of quinoa, couscous, or rice. Lentils are great, too. Try this Red Lentil Soup or Zucchini Rice.
- Alongside a protein. Serve these Cashew Zucchini Noodles with tofu, chicken, or pork. Easy and Crispy Fried Tofu is a nice addition.
- With vegetables. A side of Broccoli and Mushroom Stir-Fry or Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts would be delicious with this dish.
These 15-minute Cashew Zucchini Noodles are a simple and tasty recipe that can be served on its own or with other dishes. It's filling and incredibly flavorful, sure to be something you and your family enjoy again and again.
More spiralized goodness to try:
- Easy Zucchini Noodles
- Spiralized Fried Potatoes
- Easy Chicken and Zoodles
- Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles
15-minute Cashew Zucchini Noodles
Ingredients
- 4 medium zucchini, spiralized* (about 2 lbs.)
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp. peanut butter
- 1 tbsp. Hoisin sauce
- ½ tbsp. Sriracha sauce or to taste
- 3 tbsp. soy sauce
- ½ lime, juiced
- 1 tsp. minced garlic
- 1 tsp. minced ginger
Instructions
- Spiralize the zucchini on the medium setting. Set aside.
- Into a large skillet, add the peanut butter, hoisin sauce, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, ginger, and garlic and put the heat on low. Stirring constantly, cook it for about 2 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.
- At this point, add the cashews, sesame oil, and zucchini noodles. Using tongs, gently toss the noodles every 20 seconds or so for about 5 minutes until everything is lightly cooked and heated through. The zucchini will release some liquid, which will help to thin the sauce.
- Lastly, when the dish is ready, add the cilantro in and toss. Serve immediately.
Notes
*ABOUT SPIRALIZED ZUCCHINI
You'll need some spiralized zucchini noodles (aka Zoodles) for this recipe. You can:- Make them yourself. Making zucchini noodles is super easy, but you do need to have a spiralizer on hand. I own this Ultimate 7-Blade Vegetable Spiralizer and you can buy it for just under $30 from Amazon. Once you get your hands on a good spiralizer, you are ready to make zoodles at home. There are so many other vegetables you can spiralizer; you’ll have a lot of fun with your new kitchen friend. Read more here: 7 Best Vegetables to Spiralize.
- Buy them. If you just want to dip your foot into the spiralizing waters, and are not ready to invest in a spiralizer, you can purchase zoodles from any large grocery or health food store. They are usually sold in the produce section, where pre-chopped vegetables and salad mixes are located. Make sure you buy fresh and not frozen zoodles.
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