Festive Fusilli
Brighten up your dinner table with Festive Fusilli, a vibrant and wholesome pasta dish that's as colorful as it is delicious. Packed with tender fusilli, fresh cherry tomatoes, sweet red bell peppers, zucchini, and protein-rich chickpeas, this recipe offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures. A rich tomato passata forms the base of the sauce, elevated with garlic, dried oregano, and a touch of optional chili flakes for subtle heat. Finished with fragrant fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Whether you're looking for a vegetarian pasta option or a comforting crowd-pleaser, Festive Fusilli checks all the boxes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams fusilli pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 250 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 200 grams cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 400 grams tomato passata
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 10 grams fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the cooked chickpeas, tomato passata, oregano, and red chili flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Add the cooked fusilli pasta to the skillet and stir to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if necessary.
Sprinkle the chopped basil over the pasta and toss gently to combine.
Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy your Festive Fusilli!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
419 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.9 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.5 g | 18% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 697 mg | 30% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 58.4 g | 21% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.4 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.8 g | ||
| Protein | 18.4 g | 37% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 214 mg | 16% | |
| Iron | 3.5 mg | 20% | |
| Potassium | 944 mg | 20% | |
*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.
