Low Carb Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce

Savor the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine with this Low Carb Penne Pasta with Marinara Sauce—an irresistibly healthy twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for keto and gluten-free diets, this recipe swaps traditional pasta for tender zucchini noodles (zoodles), creating a light, guilt-free base for a rich and aromatic marinara sauce. Made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and a medley of herbs like oregano and basil, each bite bursts with hearty, homemade goodness. Simple to prepare in just 45 minutes, this dish is finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for an elegant touch. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful low-carb option, this zoodle pasta brings all the flavor without the heaviness of traditional carbs.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium Zucchini
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 medium Onion
• 28 ounces Canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the zucchini noodles. Use a spiralizer to create zoodles from the zucchini and set them aside.

Step 2

Finely chop the garlic cloves and the onion.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Mix in the dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

While the sauce is simmering, place another skillet over medium heat. Add a small drizzle of olive oil if needed, and sauté the zucchini noodles for about 5 minutes until just tender. Be careful not to overcook them as they can become mushy.

Step 7

Once the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 8

Serve the zucchini noodles on plates and top with the marinara sauce.

Step 9

Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1836.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	940.7

Total Fat 39.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.3g
Cholesterol 22.2mg	0%
Sodium 10995.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 131.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 98.8g
Protein 30.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 633.4mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 5033.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.6%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 52.3%