Fresh Zucchini Pasta Sauce
Transform your pasta night with this Fresh Zucchini Pasta Sauce, a light and vibrant recipe that shines with garden-fresh flavors. Made with tender zucchini, sautéed garlic, and juicy cherry tomatoes, this sauce brings a medley of wholesome ingredients together in just 35 minutes. A touch of fresh basil and a generous handful of Parmesan cheese elevate its creamy texture and aromatic appeal, while a pinch of optional red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a healthy, vegetarian-friendly meal idea, this sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta and is a great way to incorporate more veggies into your routine. Impressively easy, deliciously satisfying, and packed with seasonal ingredients—this recipe is pure comfort food with a fresh twist!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized zucchini
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 whole garlic cloves
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoons red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Wash the zucchini and use a grater to shred them into thin strips or coarsely grate them, depending on your preference for texture.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
Peel and mince the garlic cloves. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Halve the cherry tomatoes, then add them to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes soften and begin to break down.
Add the shredded zucchini to the skillet, along with the salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Cook for about 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the zucchini is tender and most of the liquid has evaporated.
Chop the fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce in the last minute of cooking.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.
Serve the zucchini sauce over cooked pasta of your choice, and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
180 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 14.3 g | 18% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8 g | 19% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 11 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 336 mg | 15% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.5 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.5 g | ||
| Protein | 6.8 g | 14% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 151 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 556 mg | 12% | |
*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.
