Tomato Zucchini Pasta (Printable Version)
Vibrant pasta with tender zucchini, ripe tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs. Ready in 35 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Pasta
05 - 12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
→ Pantry & Dairy
06 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
07 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
08 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes
09 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Fresh Herbs
10 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent.
03 - Add garlic and zucchini to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until zucchini is tender but not mushy.
04 - Add tomatoes and chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5–6 minutes until tomatoes soften and release their juices.
05 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet with half the reserved pasta water. Toss to combine, adding more water as needed for a silky sauce.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan, basil, and parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and basil if desired.
# Tips from hearthlykitchen:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one skillet while the pasta bubbles away
- The zucchini soaks up all those garlic and tomato juices until it practically melts
- Ready in 35 minutes but tastes like something you simmered all afternoon
02 -
- That pasta water is liquid gold, do not pour it down the drain
- Overcooking zucchini turns it into mush, so keep an eye on the texture
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre grated, the texture difference is worth the extra minute
- If your tomatoes seem lackluster, add a pinch of sugar to help them along