Description
A light and flavorful zucchini and tomato pasta dish, perfect for a quick and healthy meal. Fresh zucchinis and cherry tomatoes are sautéed with garlic and tossed with pasta, olive oil, and fresh basil for a vibrant and satisfying dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 200 grams of your favorite pasta (spaghetti or penne)
Vegetables
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 250 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Other
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Wash the zucchinis and cherry tomatoes thoroughly. Slice the zucchinis into half-moons and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Zucchini: Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still slightly crisp.
- Add Tomatoes: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes until they soften but maintain their shape.
- Toss Pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to loosen the sauce and combine flavors.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss in the torn basil leaves. Serve warm for a fresh and colorful meal.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, such as spaghetti, penne, or fusilli.
- If you like a bit of heat, add red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Reserve pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce that helps everything stick together.
- Fresh basil should be added at the end to preserve its aroma and flavor.
- This dish can be served with grated Parmesan cheese on top if not vegan.
