Pasta with a Walnut and Zucchini Sauce
Elevate your pasta night with this creamy and flavorful Pasta with Walnut and Zucchini Sauce! This vibrant dish combines tender zucchini, toasty walnuts, and aromatic garlic in a luscious sauce enriched with heavy cream, tangy lemon juice, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. The recipe’s unique blend of textures and flavors is perfectly balanced, while fresh basil adds a fragrant finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or elegant entertaining. Serve it with your favorite pasta, like spaghetti or penne, and enjoy a satisfying, vegetarian delight packed with wholesome ingredients.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 g Pasta (e.g., spaghetti, linguine, or penne)
- 2 medium Zucchini
- 100 g Walnuts
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 50 g Grated Parmesan cheese
- 100 ml Heavy cream
- 10 leaves Fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 100 ml Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 100 ml of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the walnut and zucchini sauce. Grate the zucchinis using a box grater and set them aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves (minced) and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the grated zucchini to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly golden.
Add the walnuts to the skillet and toast lightly, stirring for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the lemon juice, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld together. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen it.
Transfer the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce and mix well until the pasta is fully coated.
Chop the fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the pasta. Toss gently to combine.
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2367 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 160.5 g | 206% | |
| Saturated Fat | 43.5 g | 217% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 51.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 150 mg | 50% | |
| Sodium | 6981 mg | 304% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 174.1 g | 63% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.0 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 32.9 g | ||
| Protein | 63.5 g | 127% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 771 mg | 59% | |
| Iron | 8.9 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 1587 mg | 34% | |
*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.
