I just can’t get enough. I need oodles of Zoodles. My mom introduced the spiralized vegetable concept to me a few months ago. If you are trying to lose weight or are gluten-sensitive, spiralizing vegetables are a perfect pasta replacement. Zoodles, spiralized zucchini, place high on my favorites.
But that’s not traditional…
However, my husband and I are adventurous eaters, so I have been trying unusual twists on our classic favorites, like Pad Thai. Restaurant pad Thai is delicious, but packs a calorie wallop of almost 1000 calories a bowl! For most women, that’s most of our daily calorie allotment.
I wanted to create a similar recipe with fewer calories but still maintain that bold, Pad Thai flavor. Deviating from tradition, I made it with zucchini noodles – and shaved several hundred calories. We were pleasantly surprised! This zoodle Pad Thai dish rated so highly, David asked me to add it to our favorites and make it again. Since he’s a huge fan of traditional Pad Thai, his approval came as a massive compliment!
How to make Zoodles with a Spiralizer
Of course, you can make spiralized vegetable noodles using a vegetable peeler as I did in the Zucchini Pasta with Lentil sauce, I recommend investing in a compact device made for this purpose. I used the WonderEsque Tri-blade Spiralizer to make this recipe and cut my time in the kitchen by more than half.
If you have never used a spiralizer, check out my video. I demonstrate how to use a WonderEsque brand spiralizer. It’s similar to other countertop-style spiralizers in use, so you can get the basic idea.
Shrimp Pad Thai with Zoodles
Yields: 2 |
I live in a small town and needed to veer a bit from the traditional sauce. I use lime juice and brown sugar. If you can find palm sugar and tamarind juice concentrate, use those for a more authentic Pad Thai experience.
- For the Pad Thai Sauce
- ⅓ cup fish sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar (use palm sugar if you can find it)
- ½ cup lime juice (use tamarind concentrate if you can find it)
- For the Noodles
- 2 zucchini, spiralized
- 1/2 pound sliced mushrooms
- 2 TBS chopped garlic
- 1/2 thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 3 green onions, sliced, separate out half the greens
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 pound peeled shrimp
- 2 cups sprouts (I used alfalfa sprouts, but bean sprouts are traditional)
- 1 oz peanuts, chopped
- 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
Whisk together sauce ingredients and set aside.
Microwave Zucchini noodles for 4 minutes. Allow to drain in a colander while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
While zucchini noodles cook, heat a saute pan to medium-high heat and spray with a bit of olive oil.
Add your garlic, peppers, white green onion parts, and half the green onion tops to the pan. (I forgot to add mushrooms before the photo)
Saute for about 2 minutes - or until the veggies are ALMOST as done as you like them.
Move veggies to side of pan.
Add shrimp and cook till the shrimp are pink - about 3 minutes.
Add egg to center of pan and scramble. Stir in with veggies and shrimp.
Reduce heat to medium.
Add sprouts, sauce, and zucchini noodles to the pan. Saute until everything is heated through.
Put into bowls and garnish with peanuts and cilantro. Spritz with a bit of lime juice. Put chili sauce on the table for those that like it spicy.
Nutrition
- Calories: 355
- Fat: 10 grams
- Carbs: 36 grams
- Protein: 33 grams
I did receive a discounted product to try for the purpose of this review. Regardless, my friends and family depend on my recommendations for purchase decisions. I never recommend a product I don’t believe in.
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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43 Comments
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze
January 16, 2018 - 12:46 pmPad Thai is one of our favorite meals. I REALLY need to start using zoodles more. This post is inspiring me to plan ahead for Pad Thai more lol.
Lisa Huff
January 16, 2018 - 12:42 pmPad Thai is one of my husband’s favorites! I think I need to try the zoodles and not tell him. 🙂
Marie - Not Enough Cinnamon
January 16, 2018 - 12:22 pmI love that you used zoodles instead of traditional noodles – still super delish but a lot more guilt free 😉
cheddarben
January 16, 2018 - 12:11 pmZoodles are a great substitute for many dishes, but I think particularly for asian dishes, as you might find zuchinni in them anyways. Such a natural fit.
strawberryblondiekitchen
January 16, 2018 - 11:59 amThis looks absolutely delicious! I’m putting the ingredients onto my shopping list and it’s going on my menu plan for next week! I love pad thai!
Karlyn Flores
May 30, 2016 - 5:50 pmI never tried this awesome recipe and I would love to cook it for our family dinner. I’m so glad that you share this recipe with us.
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:27 amIf you decide to try it, let me know! It’s delicious
Tatanisha Worthey
May 29, 2016 - 10:05 amThis looks absolutely delicious and healthy! It’s on our list to buy one of these and try making fun dishes for the boys! Thanks for the recipe and review!
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:28 amAwesome!
aimlessmoments (@AimlessMoments)
May 28, 2016 - 8:43 pmMy middle son loves to make zucchini noodles. I am not a fan but he would love this. He has made something similar with salmon.
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:29 amOoh! I’d like to try that!
Mama to 5 BLessings
May 28, 2016 - 7:25 pmMy husband loves Thai food. I need to try making this for him, sounds right up his alley.
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:30 amIt’s pretty mild for us true Thai food lovers. Be sure to have plenty of Garlic Chili sauce on hand for him.
toughcookiemommy
May 28, 2016 - 2:43 pmThis Asian inspired dish is so yummy, I imagine. I love shrimp so I would enjoy sampling this recipe.
Liz Mays
May 28, 2016 - 7:14 amI have the doodad to make zoodles, but I have yet to take it out of the box. You’re inspiring me to go for it. This looks amazing!
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:30 amIt’s so easy. You should really give it a try.
Rosey
May 28, 2016 - 4:38 amMy oldest son loves Pad Thai. I don’t blame him. Love the suggestion to use edamame, though I do like cilantro (comment response above my comment).
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:31 amI love Cilantro and it’s a keeper in this dish.
Tami
May 27, 2016 - 10:44 pmI have a spiralizer that I haven’t used yet. I think I’ll make this the recipe I try it out on.
Alicia Taylor
May 31, 2016 - 2:31 amIt’s so easy to use. I know I was a bit nervous – but was surprised at how fast it worked.
tonyacoleman
May 27, 2016 - 8:41 amI love pad thai! I order it in restaurants but have never thought to make it at a home! Thanks for the recipe. I may be giving this a try!
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:31 pmI never knew it was this easy! Of course, this isn’t traditional Pad Thai and you probably will never find this in a restaurant.
Amy
May 27, 2016 - 6:32 amThis meal sounds so delicious! I love the idea that you used zucchini noodles with it! We have peanut allergies in the house with the kids (sad b/c it is one of my favorite things) so I could probably sub almonds or something else.
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:32 pmThe peanuts are completely optional. Chopped almonds would probably work – but I think I would try cashews if they aren’t an issue.
Adriana Martin (@ABRecipes)
May 27, 2016 - 1:50 amThis gadget is fabulous I need to get me one soon =) Good recipe too
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:32 pmIt has definitely changed my cooking lifestyle!
loisaltermark
May 26, 2016 - 11:00 pmI love pad thai and I love shrimp! This sounds amazing!
Jennifer Borget
May 26, 2016 - 10:39 pmThis looks delicious, and it’s super easy to make! Excited to try it out!
irishred13
May 26, 2016 - 6:55 pmMy husband likes pad thai a lot I bet he would like this. Even with the different noodles, it would mean it is better for him!
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:33 pmMy husband absolutely loves it!
Neely (@Neelykins)
May 26, 2016 - 4:13 pmzoodles are amazing! I would love to try this dish though sounds yummy!
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:33 pmIf you do, be sure to let me know what you think!
carrie@thelavenderhytta
May 26, 2016 - 2:17 pmYummy! We love pad Thai
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:33 pmBet you’ve never had it like this, though.
Dawn McAlexander
May 26, 2016 - 1:51 pmI can’ say that I had ever heard of vegetable noodles before. I like the sound of it, though. The recipe sure does look good!
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:34 pmThey are different – and healthier – but still very delicious.
Cathy Herard
May 26, 2016 - 12:01 pmPad Thai is one of my absolute favorite dishes and this recipe sounds quite tasty, especially for shrimp lovers!
Jenn
May 26, 2016 - 11:43 amYES I have to try this! I love pad thai noodles.
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:34 pmThis one is completely different with the zoodles 🙂 Hope you love it.
nlampert
May 26, 2016 - 10:11 amI’ve never tried spiralized veggies before but I’m into eating healthier lately and cutting back on the refined carbs so I’m going to have to try them!
Alicia Taylor
May 27, 2016 - 1:35 pmI love the intersection of healthy and delicious
littlemisscant
May 26, 2016 - 9:48 amThis dish sounds delicious! I have never had shrimp before but I would totally try it in this recipe.
Can you skip the cilantro? My family can not stand the flavour and I’m worried that it would spoil the dish.
Alicia Taylor
May 26, 2016 - 2:47 pmYou could also use tofu in it – or edamame – for protein if you preferred.