Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage

Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage is the perfect choice when you want a low-carb dinner that’s still rich and satisfying. This flavorful dish brings together tender zucchini noodles, savory Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and a silky cream sauce for a comforting meal without the extra carbs. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights when you need something quick yet nourishing. Whether you’re following a keto lifestyle or simply reducing carbs, this recipe delivers delicious, restaurant-style results at home.

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Building Flavor with Sausage and Aromatics

Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat and add the Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook the sausage for about 6-8 minutes until it’s beautifully browned and cooked through. The rendered fat from the sausage will create a flavorful base for your sauce, so don’t drain it unless there’s an excessive amount. Once the sausage is done, push it to the sides of the pan and add the minced garlic to the center. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant but not burned. This technique prevents the garlic from becoming bitter while infusing the entire dish with its aromatic essence. Then, stir everything together and add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, letting them warm through for another minute.

Creating the Creamy Tuscan Sauce

Now comes the magic moment when your sauce transforms into something truly spectacular. Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. These little flavor nuggets add incredible depth to your sauce, so don’t skip this step. Let the broth simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly, then add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the grated Parmesan cheese gradually, stirring constantly until it melts completely into the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. The sauce should coat the back of your spoon nicely, indicating it’s reached the perfect consistency.

Adding Vegetables and Final Touches

Incorporating Fresh Spinach

Once your creamy sauce is ready, it’s time to add the nutritious spinach. Toss the fresh spinach leaves into the skillet and stir them into the sauce. Initially, it might look like too much spinach, but don’t worry—it wilts down dramatically within 1-2 minutes. As the spinach cooks, it releases its own moisture and shrinks to a fraction of its original volume. Meanwhile, it adds beautiful color, valuable nutrients like iron and vitamins, and a subtle earthiness that balances the richness of the cream sauce. Keep stirring gently until all the spinach has wilted completely and is evenly distributed throughout the dish.

Perfectly Cooking Your Zucchini Noodles

Here’s where timing becomes crucial for achieving the best texture. Add your prepared zucchini noodles to the skillet with the creamy sauce and toss everything together using tongs or two large spoons. Cook the zoodles for only 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to coat them evenly with the sauce. Overcooking zucchini noodles is the most common mistake that leads to a watery, mushy dish. You want them tender yet still slightly firm, maintaining a texture similar to al dente pasta. If you notice excess liquid pooling in the pan, don’t panic—simply increase the heat slightly and continue cooking for another minute while stirring constantly. The extra liquid will evaporate, leaving you with perfectly sauced noodles.

Nutritional Benefits and Keto Advantages

Low-Carb Powerhouse Nutrition

This Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage isn’t just delicious—it’s nutritionally impressive too. Each serving delivers approximately 6 grams of net carbs, making it an excellent choice for maintaining ketosis. The Italian sausage provides roughly 20 grams of protein per serving, supporting muscle maintenance and keeping hunger at bay. Additionally, the healthy fats from the sausage and heavy cream total around 35 grams per serving, which is essential for proper hormone function and sustained energy on a ketogenic diet. The zucchini contributes valuable fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, while spinach adds iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. Sun-dried tomatoes offer lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that supports heart health.

How This Dish Supports Ketosis

Maintaining nutritional ketosis requires careful attention to your macronutrient ratios, and this recipe makes it easy. The high fat content from the cream and sausage helps trigger fat-burning metabolism, while the moderate protein prevents muscle loss without kicking you out of ketosis. Furthermore, the minimal carbohydrate content means your blood sugar stays stable, avoiding the energy crashes associated with high-carb meals. The fiber from the vegetables slows digestion even further, providing steady energy throughout the afternoon or evening. Many people report feeling satisfied for 4-6 hours after eating this dish, which naturally reduces snacking and supports weight management goals.

Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips

Perfect Pairings and Presentation

This creamy Tuscan dish stands beautifully on its own as a complete meal, but certain accompaniments can elevate your dining experience even further. A simple side salad with mixed greens, olive oil, and lemon juice provides a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce. Garlic bread made from keto-friendly almond flour adds satisfying crunch and helps soak up every last drop of that delicious cream sauce. For a fancier presentation, garnish each plate with fresh basil leaves, a sprinkle of extra Parmesan, and a crack of black pepper. Serving this dish in shallow pasta bowls makes it look restaurant-worthy, while the wide surface area shows off the beautiful colors of the spinach, tomatoes, and zucchini noodles.

Storing and Reheating for Best Results

Leftover Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, zucchini noodles do release moisture as they sit, so your leftovers might be slightly more liquid than the fresh dish. When reheating, use a skillet over medium-low heat rather than the microwave for best results. Add a tablespoon of heavy cream or chicken broth to refresh the sauce, and heat gently while stirring frequently until warmed through. If you plan to meal prep this recipe, consider storing the cooked sausage and sauce separately from the zucchini noodles, then combining them when ready to eat. This prevents the noodles from becoming too soft. Unfortunately, this dish doesn’t freeze particularly well due to the cream sauce and zucchini, which both separate upon thawing.

FAQ About Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage

Can I use store-bought zucchini noodles for this recipe?

Absolutely! Pre-spiralized zucchini noodles from the grocery store work perfectly well and save you considerable time. Just remember to pat them very dry with paper towels before cooking, as packaged zoodles often contain extra moisture. You might need to cook them for slightly less time than freshly spiralized noodles since they tend to be a bit softer already. Check them after about 1-2 minutes of cooking to avoid ending up with mushy noodles.

How can I prevent my zucchini noodles from getting watery?

The key to avoiding watery zoodles is twofold. First, salt your spiralized zucchini and let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture, then pat it completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Second, cook the noodles for only 2-3 minutes at most—overcooking releases even more water. If your finished dish seems too watery, simply increase the heat and cook for an additional minute while stirring to evaporate the excess liquid.

Is this recipe truly keto-friendly and how many net carbs does it contain?

Yes, this recipe is definitely keto-friendly when made as written. Each serving contains approximately 6 grams of net carbs, 20 grams of protein, and 35 grams of fat, making it perfectly aligned with ketogenic macros. The majority of carbs come from the zucchini and sun-dried tomatoes, while the cream, sausage, and cheese contribute minimal carbohydrates. Always check your specific ingredient brands, as some sausages contain hidden sugars or fillers that can increase the carb count.

Conclusion

This Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage proves that eating low-carb doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or satisfaction. With its rich cream sauce, savory Italian sausage, and tender zucchini noodles, this dish delivers comfort food vibes while keeping your macros perfectly balanced.

Keto Creamy Tuscan Zucchini Noodles with Sausage

---

• Author: Angie
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

A rich and satisfying low-carb Italian-inspired dish featuring spiralized zucchini noodles tossed with savory sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and a luscious cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners and ready in just 30 minutes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. 1. Spiralize the zucchini and place on paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then pat dry thoroughly.
2. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles until browned and cooked through.
3. 3. Push sausage to the sides of the pan and add minced garlic to the center. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir together with sausage.
4. 4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
5. 5. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
6. 6. Add heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a gentle simmer.
7. 7. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted completely. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
8. 8. Add fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
9. 9. Add prepared zucchini noodles and toss to coat with sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until noodles are tender but still slightly firm.
10. 10. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of cream. For best texture, store sauce and zucchini noodles separately if meal prepping. This dish does not freeze well due to the cream sauce and zucchini.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g