Name: Creamy Zucchini Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 Medium Zucchini; 1 lb Spaghetti Pasta (Look for Bronze, Die-Cut Pasta); ½ cup Olive Oil; 3 Garlic Cloves, Whole; 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated; ½ tsp Lemon Zest; ¼ tsp Kosher Salt; ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper

Print Recipe

Description

Simple, fast and delicious! Creamy melted zucchini pasta cooks up in no time and delivers a meal that the entire family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

3 Medium Zucchini
1 lb Spaghetti Pasta (Look for Bronze, Die-Cut Pasta)
1/2 cup Olive Oil
3 Garlic Cloves, Whole
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
1/2 tsp Lemon Zest
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Take care to not over cook, we want al dente pasta here! But, DO NOT DRAIN THE PASTA WATER! We will use some of the pasta water for our sauce.
While the pasta cooks, work on the sauce and zucchini.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow to heat up for 1 minute, then add the whole garlic cloves and cook for 4-5 minutes to infuse the oil with the garlic.
While the garlic cooks, grate the zucchini. Set a clean dish towel out on a counter or cutting board. Over top the towel, grate the zucchini using a box grater. Gather the towel by the ends and then, over the sink or a bowl, squeeze the liquid out of the shredded zucchini.
Slowly, in batches, add the shredded zucchini to the olive oil skillet. (Take care and go slow because the oil is hot!) Cook the zucchini in the oil for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula. The zucchini will start to break down and “melt” into the oil, this is when it is done. Remove the garlic cloves from the zucchini, discard.
Using tongs, remove the pasta from the pot directly into the skillet with the zucchini. Add the Parmesan cheese and lemon zest, and using the tongs, stir together the pasta, cheese, zest and zucchini. The cheese will melt into the mixture, creating the sauce for this dish. If the pasta seems dry, add a few tablespoons of pasta water to loosen up the pasta and create more of a sauce.
Add salt and pepper and adjust seasonings based on your preference. Serve hot and enjoy!

Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 15
Category: Dinner, Lunch, Mediterranean, Sides, Vegetarian
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/7
Calories: 442
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 326mg
Fat: 21g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 13g
Cholesterol: 12mg