Low-carb courgette noodles with macadamia pesto

Low-carb courgette noodles with macadamia pesto: a fresh recipe with courgette, basil, macadamia, hard cheese, olive oil and lime juice – aromatic and uncomplicated.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• Cooking time: 5 min
• Total time: 20 min
• Calories: 340 kcal per serving
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 31 g
• Carbs: 12 g

Ingredients

• 2 courgettes
• 1 splash of lime juice
• 1 tbsp freshly grated vegetarian hard cheese (Parmesan-style)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 40 g macadamia nuts (unsalted)
• 1 tsp garlic olive oil
• 1 bunch of fresh basil

Method

You’ll need: frying pan · blender · spiralizer · mixing bowl · grater

1. Wash the courgettes and cut them into fine courgette noodles with a spiralizer or vegetable peeler. Wash the basil and roughly prepare it.
2. Put the macadamia nuts in a blender with the basil, hard cheese, olive oil, garlic olive oil and lime juice. Blend everything to a creamy pesto.
3. Taste the pesto and, if needed, loosen it with a little more lime juice or olive oil. It should be creamy but still slightly chunky.
4. Put the courgette noodles in a bowl and toss them with the macadamia pesto. Leave briefly so the flavours come together.
5. If you prefer the courgette noodles a little softer, you can toss them very briefly in a warm frying pan. Don't heat them for too long so they stay al dente.
6. Divide between plates and serve straight away. Finish with a little hard cheese and fresh basil if you like.

Good to know

Light, fresh and pleasantly creamy. This dish is just right when you want something quick that still tastes like proper cooking.

Swaps

Hard cheese → nutritional yeast (savoury flavour; nutritional yeast is also dairy-free) Macadamia nuts → walnuts or almonds (a bit cheaper, with bite) Lime juice → lemon juice (similarly fresh, often milder and more classic in pesto) Garlic olive oil → fresh garlic + a little more olive oil (no flavoured oil, full flavour from real ingredients)

Allergens

Contains milk (hard cheese) and tree nuts (macadamia). Usually suitable for children if the nuts are finely blended, and in pregnancy fresh, well-washed ingredients make sense.

Frequently asked questions

What fats are in macadamia nuts and olive oil?

Both mainly provide monounsaturated fatty acids. Macadamias are especially known for this, while olive oil can also contain natural compounds such as polyphenols.

What does basil add nutritionally?

Basil contains vitamin K, small amounts of folate and various plant compounds, among others. The amount eaten is usually fairly small, but it's a defining part of the flavour.

Is lime juice just there for flavour?

Mainly for freshness and balance, but it also provides a little vitamin C. The exact amount stays fairly moderate in a recipe like this.

Do courgettes suit a sensitive stomach?

Courgettes are mild and mostly water. Even so, larger amounts eaten raw can affect a sensitive stomach differently from person to person.

Does a small amount of hard cheese make a difference?

Yes, even small amounts contain concentrated calcium, phosphorus and protein. Aged hard cheese also usually contains very little lactose – useful to know if you're sensitive to lactose.