Zucchini noodles with creamy chipotle sauce

Zucchini noodles with creamy chipotle sauce

Fresh zoodles dipped in a yogurt and smoked chipotle sauce with fresh cheese.

Type: Main Dishes

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Zucchini noodles with chipotle|homemade zoodles|healthy Mexican recipe|light vegetable dinner|zucchini with cream|low carb Mexican food

Recipe Yield: 2 servings

Calories: 220 kcal

Preparation Time: 15M

Cooking Time: 10M

Total Time: 25M

Recipe Ingredients:

• 2 large zucchinis
• 3 adobo chipotles
• 1 cup cream
• Fresh cheese
• Cilantro
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper

Recipe Instructions:

Spiralize:

Cut the zucchini into long noodle-style strips with a peeler or grater.

Blanch noodles:

Boil for 2 min in salted water, rinse with cold water and dry very well.

Blend the sauce:

Blend chipotle, cream, garlic, and cilantro until you have a fine sauce.

Heat sauce:

Heat the sauce over low heat without letting it boil so it doesn't curdle.

Combine and serve:

Mix the noodles with the sauce, heat 1 min and decorate with cheese.

Editor's Rating:
4.7

Zucchini Noodle Recipe with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

The zucchini noodles with creamy chipotle sauce are a healthy and comforting option for those looking to combine the freshness of a light vegetable with the enveloping touch of a spiced cream. This dish represents a delicious way to incorporate more vegetables into the daily diet without sacrificing flavor or consistency, ideal for enjoying within the framework of Mexican cuisine that balances the traditional with the contemporary.

Preparation time

To organize your kitchen well, here is the time it takes to prepare this recipe:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 10 minutes
• Total: 25 minutes
• Servings: 2-3 people
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the zucchini noodles

• 2 large zucchinis, firm and preferably long
• Water for boiling
• Salt to taste

For the creamy chipotle sauce

• 2-3 adobo chipotles (canned or fresh)
• 1 cup of cream sour or cooking cream
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled
• 1/2 cup of grated queso fresco
• 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

If you don't have traditional cream, you can substitute it with unsweetened natural yogurt, which provides a similar texture but with a more acidic touch. For the chipotle, if you prefer to avoid the intensity, use only one and adjust the flavor with more cream.

Utensils we will use

• Medium pot for boiling water
• Strainer
• Cutting board and knife
• Blender or food processor
• Medium frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Mixing bowl

Preparation

1. Prepare the zucchini noodles

1. Wash and cut: Wash the zucchini thoroughly under the tap to remove dirt or impurities. Cut off the ends to leave only the firm part.
2. Spiralize or grate: With a spiralizer, turn the zucchini into long strips similar to noodles. If you don't have a spiralizer, use a peeler to make thin strips or a large-hole grater for thicker strips.
3. Boil water: Place a pot with water and a little salt over high heat until it boils intensely and constantly.
4. Blanch noodles: Cook the zucchini noodles in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. The idea is for them to be tender but maintain a firm texture, preventing them from becoming watery.
5. Cool and drain: Remove the noodles with a slotted spoon and immediately transfer them to a bowl with ice water or under cold running water to stop the cooking and preserve their vibrant green color. Drain well, removing excess water; you can use absorbent paper.

2. Prepare the creamy chipotle sauce

1. Blend ingredients: In the blender cup or food processor, place the garlic, adobo chipotles, cream, fresh cheese, and cilantro. Process until you have a homogeneous and creamy mixture.
2. Adjust flavor: Add salt and pepper to taste and mix again for a few seconds. Taste and adjust if you prefer it spicier or creamier.
3. Heat sauce: Transfer the mixture to a skillet over low heat. Cook gently for 2–3 minutes to integrate the flavors, but without letting it boil to avoid curdling the cream.

3. Combine and serve

1. Mix with the noodles: Incorporate the drained zucchini noodles into the skillet with the creamy sauce chipotle. Mix gently so that each noodle is well coated.
2. Heat a little: Cook for one more minute so the noodles reach the sauce's temperature and absorb its flavor.

To finish and serve

Serve the hot noodles in deep plates. You can decorate with a little more fresh cilantro and an extra pinch of fresh cheese sprinkled at the end to enhance the flavor. This dish is ideal accompanied by a fresh drink or a light salad to complement the experience. Being a dish with a spicy and creamy touch, it goes very well as an accompaniment to teriyaki shrimp or with a simple protein like grilled chicken.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 220 kcal
• Proteins: 7 g
• Fats: 16 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 3 g

Values are estimates per serving and may vary depending on the exact ingredients and quantities used.

5 practical tips to make your zucchini noodles with creamy chipotle sauce perfect

These tips will help you avoid common mistakes and get the most out of this recipe.

1. Control the zucchini's moisture

Zucchini has a high water content that can make the noodles watery if not drained well. After blanching and cooling them, it is crucial to drain carefully and dry with absorbent paper to maintain a firm texture and prevent the sauce from becoming liquid.

2. Adjust the spiciness to taste

Chipotle has an intense and spicy flavor. If you prefer less spice or are cooking for children, use fewer chipotles or remove the seeds. You can also balance it with more cream for a smoother texture.

3. Do not overcook the noodles

Limit zucchini cooking to 2-3 minutes so they maintain a slightly firm texture. After that time, they fall apart and lose body, which makes the experience less pleasant.

4. Use fresh and good ingredients

The quality of the chipotle, zucchini, cream, and cheese adds a lot to the final flavor. Avoid processed ingredients with artificial flavors to maintain an authentic and healthy taste.

5. Mix gently when incorporating the sauce

Instead of stirring vigorously, use folding movements to coat each noodle with sauce. This will prevent them from breaking and maintain a fresh and appetizing appearance.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

This dish is ideal for summer or spring afternoons, when fresh but comforting meals are preferred. It is a wonderful option for light dinners that don't overfill but nourish, as well as being excellent for a quick meal after work with no kitchen complications.

It also works very well for informal gatherings or sharing with friends looking for healthy meals with a distinctive and spicy touch. Its combination of cream and chipotle provides that perfect balance to enjoy contemporary Mexican food. Take advantage of preparing it on dates when heat predominates and heavy cooking is not an option.

Comparison with similar recipes

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Share your experience

Cooking is always a space to enjoy and learn. Did you dare to prepare these zucchini noodles with creamy chipotle sauce? Did you try substituting any ingredient or adjusting the spiciness? Don't hesitate to leave your comment below and tell us how the dish turned out or what variations you added. Sharing these details helps this recipe continue to improve and reach more home cooks.

Culinary glossary

• Spiralizer: Utensil that cuts firm vegetables into long noodle shapes, ideal for zucchini or carrots.
• Blanch: Brief cooking in boiling water followed by rapid cooling to preserve texture and color.
• Emulsify: Mix ingredients that normally don't combine to create a homogeneous and creamy sauce.
• Rectify: Adjust seasoning by tasting and adding salt, pepper, or other condiments according to taste.
• Creamy sauce: Sauce with smooth and unctuous textures, generally based on cream or fatty ingredients for a rich mouthfeel.