Ingredients
– ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
– 3 cups diced zucchini (from 2-3 medium zucchinis)
– 2 medium shallots, sliced (about 1 cup)
– 1 tablespoon minced garlic
– 1 pound long pasta such as spaghetti, fusilli, or bucatini
– ½ cup reserved pasta water
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 20 fresh basil leaves
– 1 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
– ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more for serving
– ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
1-First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. This simple step boosts the flavor from the start. While the water heats, grab a medium saucepan and warm the olive oil over medium heat.
2-Next, add the diced zucchini and sliced shallots to the saucepan. Sauté them until they soften, which takes about 8-10 minutes. This builds a tasty base for your sauce, letting the veggies shine.
3-Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it smells amazing. Meanwhile, cook your pasta in the boiling water until it’s al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Don’t forget to reserve ½ cup of that pasta water before draining it makes the sauce extra creamy.
4-After that, mix in the heavy cream, basil leaves, salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese to the zucchini mixture. Let it simmer gently for around 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. Blend in the reserved pasta water to make everything smooth and silky.
5-Finally, toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and serve it up with extra Parmesan and black pepper on top. This creamy zucchini pasta is ready to enjoy, and it’s a great way to add proteins like creamy chicken and bacon pasta ideas for more variety.
Notes
🥒 Don’t peel the zucchini – the skin softens beautifully during cooking and adds nutrients and color to the sauce
💧 Save that starchy pasta water! It’s the secret to creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta
🌿 Fresh basil makes all the difference – add it at the end of cooking to preserve its bright, aromatic flavor
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 555
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 212mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 63mg
