This zucchini pasta recipe is a recent summer time meal that you could make in half-hour! Sautéed grated zucchini creates the evenly creamy, flavorful sauce.
This zucchini pasta recipe is the easiest way to make use of up an abundance of summer time zucchini. Sorry, zucchini muffins and zucchini bread—this pasta requires a lot zucchini that no different recipe can compete.
It’s precisely the kind of vivid, recent dish I crave within the summertime (and massive win: our 3-year-old loves it too!). To make it, I grate the zucchini. Then, I sauté it till it cooks down into a lightweight, silky sauce for the pasta, with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese for depth of taste. Simply earlier than serving, I garnish it with a number of recent basil and/or mint. Should you ask me, a summer time pasta like this one is at all times higher with recent herbs on high. 😊
This zucchini pasta is prepared in simply half-hour. Fast, straightforward, and scrumptious, it’s the proper dinner for a lazy summer time night time.
The way to Make This Zucchini Pasta
The recipe begins with easy, recent substances:
The Elements
- Zucchini, in fact! You’ll want 2 kilos, about 4 medium zucchini. A mixture of zucchini and yellow summer time squash would work properly too.
- Spaghetti or bucatini – I like this zucchini sauce finest with lengthy pasta shapes. Spaghetti and bucatini are each glorious picks!
- Additional-virgin olive oil – For sautéing the zucchini. It helps the squash prepare dinner down right into a wealthy, flavorful sauce.
- Shallots and garlic – They add savory depth of taste.
- Crushed pink pepper flakes – For warmth. Be happy to skip them when you’re delicate to spice.
- Pecorino or Parmesan cheese – It provides richness and umami taste. I personally suggest the pecorino (I like its funk right here!). However when you preserve Parmesan available, you should utilize it as a substitute. It’s nice on this recipe too.
- Lemon juice and zest – For vivid, tangy taste.
- Contemporary basil and/or mint – These aromatic herbs make this pasta style recent and summery. Use each, or select your favourite.
- And salt and pepper – To make all of the flavors pop!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
The Technique
I’ve to credit score Smitten Kitchen as my inspiration for this zucchini pasta recipe. I noticed Deb use sautéed grated zucchini to create a pasta sauce just a few years in the past. I’ve needed to develop my very own twist on it ever since.
I’m so glad I lastly did, as a result of this zucchini pasta sauce is critically scrumptious! Right here’s how I make it:
- Begin by grating the zucchini. I do that on the massive holes of a field grater, however you might use a meals processor when you choose. Switch the grated zucchini to a clear kitchen towel or paper towel, and wring out the surplus moisture.
- Then, sauté the zucchini with the shallots and pink pepper flakes for 15 to twenty minutes, or till the combination is thick and jammy. Stir within the garlic.
- In the meantime, prepare dinner the pasta in a big pot of salted boiling water based on the bundle’s directions. As a substitute of draining the pasta, scoop it straight into the skillet with the zucchini. Toss to mix the zucchini with the pasta.
- Make a evenly creamy sauce by including reserved pasta water and the cheese to the skillet. Prepare dinner, tossing, for two to three minutes, or till the pasta is effectively coated.
- Lastly, season to style. Add the lemon juice and zest and extra salt, pepper, and cheese, as desired.
Serve with recent basil leaves, mint, extra lemon zest, and extra cheese on high!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
What to Serve with Zucchini Pasta
This zucchini pasta recipe is a stunning summer time dinner. Take pleasure in it alongside focaccia or garlic bread, or pair it with a salad. Any of those recipes could be nice:
Storage
Retailer leftover pasta in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days. Reheat it within the microwave or on the stovetop. If wanted, add a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Extra Favourite Zucchini Recipes
Obtained extra zucchini to make use of up? Strive one in all these straightforward zucchini recipes subsequent:
Zucchini Pasta
Serves 4
This zucchini pasta recipe is a recent summer time dinner that you could make in half-hour! You will begin by grating the zucchini. Then, you will sauté it till it cooks down right into a evenly creamy sauce for the pasta. Contemporary herbs, lemon, garlic, and pink pepper flakes add vivid, savory taste to this straightforward, scrumptious dish.
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Grate the zucchini on the massive holes of a field grater. Switch to a clear kitchen towel and wring out the surplus moisture.
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Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet or Dutch oven over medium warmth. Add the shallot, zucchini, salt, pink pepper flakes, and several other grinds of pepper. Prepare dinner, stirring sometimes, for 15 to twenty minutes, or till the combination is thick and jammy. Stir within the garlic.
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In the meantime, prepare dinner the pasta. Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Put together the pasta based on the bundle directions, cooking till al dente.
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Scoop the cooked pasta straight from the cooking water into the pan with the zucchini, reserving the pasta cooking water. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and the cheese to the pan with zucchini. Prepare dinner, stirring, for two to three minutes, or till a evenly creamy sauce coats the pasta, including extra pasta water as wanted.
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Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice and the lemon zest. Season to style, including extra lemon juice if desired.
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Serve topped with the herbs, the reserved lemon zest, and extra cheese.
