Healthy But Tasty Zucchini Noodles with Bacon, Ricotta, and Peas

When you are trying to be healthy, it can be difficult to choose what to eat. I love cooking noodles, but I found that sometimes they can be heavy on me, or make me feel sick if I eat them at night. So, what better way to eat your noodles than using some delicious veggies instead?

Today I want to share this recipe because I know it is healthy but hearty, and I’m sure you’ll love it too. All you need is zucchini, turkey bacon, ricotta, peas, and basil.

My favorite vegetable in this type of meal is the peas, but I suggest trying it with mushrooms as well.

If you still want to have a side dish of some sort, or you’re serving it to more than a couple of people, I think white rice goes well with it, especially something like a Japanese rice, which is flavorful and good for you.

Whether you’re trying to be healthy or not, this is a meal that can fill you up and won’t leave you wanting more. Don’t worry, if you are vegetarian, switch up the bacon for more hearty ingredients like black beans.

Ready to make this healthy but yummy meal? Let’s get started!

Healthy But Tasty Zucchini Noodles with Bacon, Ricotta, and Peas

Servings: 3 / Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 large zucchini, spiraled into spaghetti noodles
• 4 slices of bacon, chopped
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup frozen peas
• 2 ½ teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bunch of fresh basil leaves

Step-by-step Instructions

1. On a non-stick skillet, or pan, place your chopped bacon and cook over medium heat. Toss it constantly until it is crispy enough.
2. Place a paper towel on top of a bowl. Carefully take your bacon and drain it from excessive fat. Put the bacon on top of the paper towel and bowl. Let it sit there to finish draining.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When it’s hot enough add the zucchini spaghetti noodles. Let them sit there a bit and then add garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.
4. Toss everything around for 1 minute and immediately remove from heat. You want your noodles to be warm, but not to burn or dry them.
5. On that same skillet, place your peas after thawing them in the microwave. Heat them for another 2 minutes.
6. Plate your noodles, peas, and bacon. Add balls of ricotta cheese. Throw some of your basil on top, sprinkle the lime juice, and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
7. Serve and eat right away if possible–the longer you noodles sit, the more juice they lose.

Are you ready for this healthy take on some of your favorite meals? I admit that bacon might not be the healthiest, but it doesn’t take away from the dish. If you’re running low on time you can always add turkey ham cut in squares.

The ricotta cheese should be added at the end so it’s fresh and cold. My choice is peas, but feel free to change them up with white mushrooms, or maybe even corn. Add avocado if you’re feeling a little more experimental.

Bring On The Noodles!

Nowadays you can buy all sorts of noodles, but making your own zucchini noodles is actually a lot of fun, and saves you a lot of carbs and fat. This dish makes up for a great lunch or quick dinner idea.

What do you think? Is this a dish you would try? I want to know if you have cooked with vegetable noodles before and what your favorite recipes are!

Author Bio: Chidinma is the founder of Fruitful Kitchen, a blog that shares delicious recipes and lifestyle tips. Most of her recipes help women with fertility issues, especially fibroids, PCOS, and Endometriosis. Sometimes, however, you will find other interesting recipes, as well as cooking tips and tricks there.

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Sincerely Paula