Healthy Tomato Zucchini Pasta (Print Version)
Vibrant pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, and herbs. Ready in 35 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
02 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 2 cups baby spinach
→ Pasta
06 - 12 oz whole wheat pasta
→ Pantry & Seasonings
07 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnishes
11 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
# How to Cook:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add zucchini to skillet and cook 4-5 minutes until just tender but still slightly crisp.
04 - Stir in cherry tomatoes, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Cook 4-5 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften and release juices.
05 - Add spinach and cook 1-2 minutes until wilted.
06 - Add drained pasta to skillet and toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce. Remove from heat, stir in fresh basil, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The vegetables release their own natural juices creating a silky sauce without heavy cream
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together
02 -
- Reserving pasta water is the secret to restaurant style texture at home
- Overcooking the zucchini is the most common mistake, keep an eye on them after three minutes
- The vegetables continue cooking in the hot pasta, so slightly undercook them in the pan
03 -
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave ribbons of raw zucchini as a fresh garnish on top
- Let the pasta water reduce slightly in the pan with the vegetables for a thicker consistency