Cacio e Pepe Zoodles - The Best Keto Recipes (2024)

By Annie Published in 30-Minute Recipes

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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!

Cacio e Pepe Zoodles - The Best Keto Recipes (1)

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.

Cacio e Pepe Zoodles - The Best Keto Recipes (2)

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.

Cacio e Pepe Zoodles - The Best Keto Recipes (3)

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 - The Best Keto Recipes (4)

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!

4.56 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

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!

Cacio e Pepe Zoodles - The Best Keto Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What protein pairs well with Cacio e Pepe? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Cacio e Pepe are turkey meatballs, Caprese salad, shrimp scampi, grilled red snapper, grilled mushrooms, avocado salad, cornbread, Parmesan crusted walleye, chicken wings, beef tenderloin, garlic bread, bruschetta, sauteed spinach, Italian sausage, and roasted vegetables.

How do you avoid stringy cheese in Cacio e Pepe? ›

Freshly-grated Pecorino Romano is a MUST in this Cacio e Pepe recipe. If you use pre-grated cheese, your sauce will by clumpy. Pre-packaged cheeses are coated with anti-clumping chemicals which inhibit them from melting beautifully.

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.

What is Cacio e Pepe secret? ›

The secret, in addition to the chemical combination of water and Pecorino proteins to obtain a cream without lumps, lies in the flavor: whole peppercorns crushed the same day and plunged into the pan to toast releasing all their pungent aroma; the pasta whisked slowly and in a controlled way to absorb all the taste of ...

How many carbs are in cacio e pepe? ›

Nutritional Info: Per serving: 370 calories (120 from fat), 13g total fat, 6g saturated fat, 25mg cholesterol, 510mg sodium, 49g carbohydrates (6g dietary fiber, 2g sugar), 15g protein.

What is the best pasta for cacio e pepe? ›

1. Pick a curved pasta shape that'll grab hold of the sauce. Customarily, Cacio e Pepe is made with hand-made tonnarelli pasta, which is about double the thickness of classic spaghetti.

Why is my cheese clumping in Cacio e Pepe? ›

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.

Why isn t my Cacio e Pepe creamy? ›

Elbow grease. The creaminess of Italian pasta dishes is usually the result of stirring. Add your pasta to the sauce or condiment - cacio e pepe in your case - with some of the water the pasta boiled in. Stir as you never stirred before and the result will be creamy.

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.

Is zucchini good on keto? ›

Yes, zucchini is keto. A medium zucchini has about 6 total grams of carbs and 2 of them are fiber. So one whole zucchini has 4 net carbs. Zucchini is very popular on the low carb diet.

Are zoodles high in carbs? ›

Compare two cups of pasta weighing in at 480 calories, 90 grams of carbs, and two grams of fiber with two cups of zucchini zoodles at 66 calories, twelve grams of carbs, and four grams of fiber.

What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's cacio e pepe? ›

Ingredients. WATER, DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, PECORINO ROMANO CHEESE (SHIP'S MILK, SALT, ANIMAL RENNET, CHEESE CULTURES), MILK, WHEAT FLOUR, CREAM, BUTTER (MILK, NATURAL FLAVOR), GROUND BLACK PEPPER, SALT. Find out how your wellness data and product content can elevate the customer experience and convert more shoppers!

What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's cacio e pepe sauce? ›

Ingredients. Water, pecorino romano cheese (sheep's milk, sea salt, animal rennet), sunflower seed oil, modified cornstarch, ground black pepper, sodium citrate, xanthan gum, sea salt.

How do you serve Trader Joe's cacio e pepe? ›

It is typically served on spaghetti, as it is in our frozen Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe. But now, we've delivered the flavor of this traditional sauce in an unexpected form: ravioli!

What is a complementary protein for pasta? ›

You can complement any pasta with a side of chicken breast, skirt steak, shrimp, or grilled salmon to create the ideal meal. Pair your pasta with a smooth glass of wine and a few empanadas, and you have the makings of the perfect Argentinian meal!

What food would be the best protein complement to pasta in a meal? ›

Seafood – If you like fish, salmon is a healthy choice for adding in protein. It also features omega 3 fats. Check out our salmon recipes. Eggs – Eggs are an exceptional sources of protein and easy to supplement in to meals.

What protein goes good with mac and cheese? ›

If you're serving up you bubbly macaroni as a side dish, here are some of the most delicious mains to choose from.
  • The Meatloaf Recipe That'll Turn You Into a Meatloaf Lover. ...
  • Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks. ...
  • Honey Garlic Ribs. ...
  • Light and Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken. ...
  • Tandoori Fried Chicken. ...
  • Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings.
Jan 2, 2024

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