Description
Lemon Zucchini Pasta brings together fresh zucchini and robust flavors. With easy prep and delightful taste, it’s perfect for quick dinners or healthy meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 pound pasta (spaghetti), uncooked
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 medium zucchini, shredded
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup pecorino cheese (or parmesan cheese), grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of hot pasta water, then drain the noodles and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the garlic, zucchini, paprika, Italian seasoning, and salt. Sauté until the zucchini is tender, about 3–5 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water, cheese, lemon juice, and black pepper. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Let the sauce thicken for about 3–5 minutes, stirring constantly. For a smoother texture, blend for about 30 seconds.
- Add the cooked pasta and basil to the skillet, tossing until well coated in the sauce.
- Garnish with extra cheese and fresh basil, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
For extra flavor, feel free to add additional vegetables such as cherry tomatoes or spinach.
Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version of this dish.
Make sure to reserve enough pasta water to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
