Pasta with Simple Zucchini Sauce
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this effortless yet flavor-packed Pasta with Simple Zucchini Sauce. This light and creamy pasta dish showcases the natural sweetness of freshly grated zucchini, blended seamlessly with sautéed garlic, olive oil, and a touch of reserved pasta water for a velvety sauce. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan and optional fragrant basil leaves, this recipe transforms humble ingredients into a comforting, restaurant-worthy meal in just 30 minutes. Perfect for vegetarians, it’s a versatile, family-friendly option that pairs well with a crisp green salad or crusty bread. Discover the beauty of simplicity with this quick and wholesome pasta recipe!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams spaghetti (or your choice of pasta)
- 2 medium-sized zucchini
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 5 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 120 milliliters pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta cooking water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, wash and trim the zucchini. Grate them using the large holes of a box grater.
Peel and finely chop the garlic cloves.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add the grated zucchini to the skillet. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper, then stir well. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini softens and releases its moisture.
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in about 60 milliliters of the reserved pasta cooking water to create a creamy sauce consistency.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the zucchini sauce. If needed, add more pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and mix well until the pasta is coated and creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves (if using) and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1085 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.0 g | 60% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.1 g | 76% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 6945 mg | 302% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 125.7 g | 46% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.1 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 29.0 g | ||
| Protein | 42.1 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 658 mg | 51% | |
| Iron | 4.8 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 1052 mg | 22% | |
*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.
